Acne scars can be a persistent reminder of past skin troubles, often causing frustration and self-consciousness for those who bear them.
For some reasons, people with acne scars may find them extremely annoying because they serve as an unpleasant reminder of a bothersome ailment.
In the quest for clearer skin, many turn to natural remedies, hoping to minimize the appearance of these stubborn marks. However, the efficacy and safety of these treatments aren’t always clear-cut.
It’s unclear what the underlying science is in these treatments, so the use of some of these natural remedies is advised with caution, as they may increase existing issues or cause new ones.
Always remember that ‘natural’ doesn’t always equate to better for your skin, as there are different skin types.
I will provide insight into the types of scars and some of the natural remedies available for treatment.
Types of Acne Scars
It’s vital to know what kind of scarring you’re attempting to get rid of.
Depending on the type of acne scarring you have, several treatment approaches may be appropriate for resolving the issue.
Three primary categories of acne scars exist:
Hypertrophic scars
These scars appear when the skin produces an excessive amount of collagen to mend acne lesions, resulting in an elevated mass of tissue on the skin. It may be sensitive and irritating.
Atrophic scars
These scars start off as little indentations and get larger when skin tissue is lost. Atrophic scars have three categories, namely: rolling, boxcar, and icepick scars. Rolling scars are more amorphous and give the skin a wavy, uneven appearance, while boxcar scars are larger indentations with clearly defined borders. Icepick scars are typically tiny, prominent scars that resemble pinpricks.
Keloid scars
Although they resemble hypertrophic scars, these scars are typically thicker than the original acne area. They frequently result in the afflicted scarred area of skin darkening, making them more noticeable in comparison to the surrounding skin. They could be unpleasant or irritating, and they could be red or brown.
Can Acne Scars be Removed Naturally?
While scars may gradually lighten with time, they probably won’t go away entirely if therapy isn’t received.
Natural remedies might be beneficial for superficial and small scarring, but they might be more harmful than beneficial for deep skin lesions and scarring.
Here are some natural remedies for acne scar removal:
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar diluted with water could help lessen the visibility of acne scars but be sure you dilute the fluid well. Concentrated apple cider vinegar can cause severe burns and further damage to the face.
Powdered turmeric
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory qualities and can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria. It also lessens scarring and promotes skin regeneration. 
Coconut oil
According to studies, coconut oil keeps acne scars at bay and hydrates the skin.
Remember that this choice should be avoided if you have very oily skin because it could make the condition worse.
Apply cold-pressed coconut oil to the affected area.
Tea Tree Oil
This product has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities and is made from an Australian tree.
Applying the oil to the face in small amounts will help heal blemishes and perhaps lessen scarring.
Lemon juice
The natural exfoliating acids found in lemons have the ability to promote cell renewal.
Although I do not advise putting raw lemon juice on your skin directly, incorporating it into a homemade face mask is better.
Lemon juice is abundant in carbohydrates, vitamin C, and citric acid, but if you have extremely sensitive skin, there’s a good chance it will irritate it.
Manuka Honey
Manuka honey has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties; applying it is a wise choice.
If you have pigmented skin or dark marks, use a cotton bud to apply apple cider vinegar to the scar.
Then apply honey right away to help calm the area.
Use of Acupuncture
It promotes collagen synthesis, improves circulation to the area, and helps to reduce inflammation.
Acupuncture can be a very effective treatment for scarring. Better tissue regeneration is encouraged by this, which helps to lessen the visibility of acne scarring.
It is recommended that you speak with a dermatologist or other medical expert before using this remedy.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Scars from acne might be less noticeable with the use of certain over-the-counter treatments. Products with the following ingredients could be beneficial, but it’s unlikely that over-the-counter lotions and creams can completely eliminate or smooth out a raised scar. The ingredients include:
Salicylic acid
A naturally occurring substance, salicylic acid, is frequently found in skin care products for acne.
Salicylic acid peels aid in cleaning the skin’s pores of debris, grime, and skin cells that cause acne.
According to a 2010 analysis, you should apply a 30% salicylic acid peeling treatment three to five times every three to four weeks.
It is good to point out that darker skin tones can use it because it is unlikely to produce hyperpigmentation.
Additionally, it helps lessen localized edema and redness, which may lessen the visibility of scarring.
Salicylic acid can be used to heal a variety of scars but before using it all over their face, people with sensitive skin should do a patch test on a tiny section of skin as it could cause dryness or irritation.
Retinoids
Acne scar removal may be aided by certain topical retinoids. Topical retinoids minimize acne lesions, accelerate cell regeneration, and prevent inflammation, according to the authors of a 2017 review article.
Retinoids, according to the scientists, may also help lessen hyperpigmented acne scars, particularly those in individuals with darker skin tones. It’s crucial to remember that retinoids might increase skin sensitivity to sunlight.
If you are going outside when having retinoids for acne or scar treatment, you should use sunscreen.
Alpha-hydroxy acids
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) have the potential to accelerate the skin’s cell renewal process.
AHAs are suggested by certain medical professionals as a treatment for acne and as a way to lessen acne scars. AHAs are a type of mild acid that removes the epidermis to reveal new, healthy skin beneath.
The procedure might lessen scar-related hyperpigmentation. At high doses, though, burning, itching, and swelling could happen.
I advise you consult a physician prior to using AHAs; the doctor can assist in determining the ideal strength to employ.
Lactic acid
Lactic acid is among the AHAs. It can gently remove dead skin cells, like a peel. It might aid in smoothing the skin and minimizing the visibility of scars.
A review cites a tiny piece of research wherein a product containing 92% lactic acid was used to treat seven individuals who had scars from icepicks.
A 75% improvement was seen in one individual, a 75% improvement in three people, a 26–50% improvement in two people, and a 25% improvement in one person. Although it can sometimes result in hyperpigmentation, lactic acid may also aid in lightening black scar tissue.
It is best to test lactic acid-containing therapies on a small patch of skin before using them to heal acne scars. Lactic acid is a common ingredient in acne products. It can also be found in diluted apple cider vinegar, which is a more economical and natural remedy.
Silicon dressing
Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, this seems to help lessen the size and look of acne scars. It accomplishes this by providing hydration, improving flexibility, and lessening discomfort and irritation of the skin.
However, it can be uncomfortable for you to constantly use bandages on your face. While some people report itching and irritation, the majority do not have any negative effects.
When to See a Doctor for Medical Treatments?
I strongly advise speaking with a competent skin care specialist before using any natural therapies to prevent aggravating the skin any further. Since diverse treatments are more effective for some people and different from others, there is no one natural remedy that has been shown to be the best.
Although some people may find relief with one or more of these natural remedies, severe or persistent scarring is unlikely to respond well to them.
In these cases, speaking with a dermatologist about professional medical treatments will help you minimize any unfavorable effects from over-the-counter medications.
Acne scars may disappear with some medical interventions; depending on your skin type and level of scarring, a dermatologist can suggest a procedure or combination of therapies.
Choices consist of:
Chemicals peels
A dermatologist can suggest a peel type based on your skin type, degree of acne, and scarring.
According to a 2017 study on acne scarring treatments, six out of ten people who used a particular kind of chemical peel called trichloroacetic acid (TCA) saw at least a 70% improvement.
There may be less efficacy with other chemical peels. For example, 25% of individuals who used glycolic acid reported no improvement in the way their scars looked.
To find the right peel, a person might need to experiment with a few different kinds.
Injections
If hypertrophic or keloid scars from acne develop, corticosteroid injections may help flatten and soften the elevated scar tissue. Usually, the course of treatment entails many injections.
Once every several weeks, a dermatologist can provide these injections in their office while tracking your progress.
Dermal fillers
Dermatologists may suggest soft tissue fillers to alleviate scars from atrophic acne.
They may be especially helpful for boxcars and rolling scars. They include: Hyaluronic acid Collagen-based products Polymethylmethacrylate.
Poly-L-lactic acid Polyacrylamide Silicon After a few months, you may need to have the procedure again, depending on the filler.
For example, hyaluronic fillers only need to be replaced every three months, but silicon and polyacrylamide may last a lifetime.
Adverse effects from fillers vary depending on the type of filler. Before choosing a course of treatment, always weigh the benefits and drawbacks with a physician.
Microneedling
The procedure known as ‘microneedling’ involves putting small needles into the skin around a scar to encourage the body to produce more collagen.
This collagen may reduce the appearance of atrophic acne scars by smoothing the skin.
Microneedling improved the appearance of atrophic or indented acne scars by 31–62%, according to a 2017 review.
According to a 2019 study, the use of collagen gel in conjunction with microneedling had noticeably better results than microneedling alone.
Microneedling may have unintended consequences, though. After the procedure, a lot of people have pain, irritation, and redness, but these effects fade with time.
Laser therapy
Without the use of chemicals or scrubs, the skin is resurfaced by laser treatment.
Types:
- Pulsed dye laser
- Intense pulsed light therapy
Process:
It can lessen the look of scars since it eliminates the topmost layer of skin to show the younger skin cells underneath.
Raised scar texture and appearance might be lessened with its assistance.
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that for those with pale skin, intense pulsed light therapy can be a better choice.
Effectiveness:
Not every individual is a suitable candidate for laser therapy; this will vary depending on the person’s skin type and the degree of acne scarring.
Some people may also experience a reaction to the treatment, particularly those with sensitive skin.
Surgery
Surgery might be used to eliminate elevated acne scars if other treatments are ineffective.
If surgery is not sufficient to address the issue, a physician may suggest additional care.
Electrodessication
When used with other therapies, this may help soften the edges of boxcar acne scars, leaving the skin looking less sunken and smoother.
Using electric probes, a physician will burn the skin to destroy the tissues that form the scars’ edges. https://youtube.com/shorts/aPVo_PBVMDk?si=92otcpNumYe_mj62
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I quickly get rid of acne scars?
Skin care at home: The difference in appearance between scarred and unscarred skin can be lessened by wearing sunscreen.
-
-
- Steroid injection
- Laser resurfacing
- Soft tissue fillers
- Other energy-based procedures
- Abrasion of the skin
- Chemical exfoliation
- Needling the skin
-
Can scars from acne fade?
Acne scars don’t go away completely by themselves. The skin loses collagen with age, and depression and acne scars frequently become more apparent. Acne scars, however, might be less apparent with a number of therapies. Within a few months, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or redness may go away on its own.
Are acne scars removed by lemons?
Lemon juice is a popular home cure for reducing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), or the dark spots left behind after acne heals. Alpha hydroxy acids have been demonstrated to lighten PIH because they accelerate cell regeneration; however, there is no proof for lemon juice per se.
Does vitamin C help fade scars from acne?
Vitamin C has brightening properties. Its qualities lighten dark spots without altering the tone of your skin. The effects can be further improved by combining vitamin C serums with additional brightening treatments, such as iontophoresis. It enhances the look of acne scars. Disclaimer: This information is not meant to replace medical care from a licensed healthcare or beauty expert; rather, it is meant for educational and self-awareness purposes.
