acne scaring??

Question

I've got acne scaring all over my face from when i was 13. i had bad acne and it left my entire face with scars. is there any products that you have tried that got rid of it?? also would it be safe to use mederma on it??

I will never apply toothpaste to it. The toothpaste leaves scaring and i already have plenty of that. and it clogs ur pores up. Thanx though!!

Answer 1

Mederma is safe for use on acne scars as it can help make it appear softer, smoother and less noticeable.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

apply lemon juice with honey

Answer 4

Mederma is helpful for treating newly healed wounds and resolving acne, helping hasten the resolution of reddened spots. Although Mederma is a gel base that should not flare your acne, it is important not to apply it too generously, as acne prone skin may not tolerate any product smothering the skin. There is no point in aggravating your acne in the attempt to eradicate the discoloration.
For areas that are brown in nature, the use of bleach, usually with hydroquinone may be incorporated into an acne and skincare regimen. Prescription hydroquinone and glycolic acid bleaches like Glyquin and Lustra AF are highly effective in resolving undesirable skin discoloration. Glyquin contains a higher percentage of glycolic acid and is free of the irritant metabisulfite. Both contain an SPF. Nonprescription bleaching options include B. Kamins Skin Lightening Treatment, Peter Thomas Roth Potent Skin Lightening Gel Complex and ScarGuard Lightener.

You may also try the new Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Acne Mark Fading Peel. It contains 2 percent Salicylic Acid and should be used one to three times per week to reduce the appearance of post-acne marks with regular use. Using a treatment to help with discoloration will need to be used consistently over time for best results.

Sun avoidance is crucial for many reasons, but when waiting out the fade-game, an oil-free, oil-reducing sunscreen – like DERMAdoctor Body Guard Exquisitely Light SPF 30 For Face & Body - goes a long way Ultraviolet light will darken the skin, preferentially darkening areas of abnormal discoloration. Sun protection prevents this process, allowing bleaching treatments to work without interruption.
Treatments
As an acne cyst forms, the neck of the sebaceous gland expands, filling with bacteria, cells and sebum that are unable to pass through to the skin’s surface. Eventually the cyst ruptures this “foreign matter” deep within the dermis, quickly attacked by white blood cells responsible for fighting infection.

All acne scars are not alike. A forceful inflammatory response can have two results. The most common outcome is loss of tissue as collagen is destroyed. Skin overlying the collapse of the area is provided no support and a soft saucer-shaped depression (aka pock mark) or jagged ice pick scar is formed. This is more typical on the face and is seen in both men and women.

Less frequently excessive scar tissue (keloid) is formed as fibroblasts (the dermal cells which produce collagen) are triggered. This is more commonly seen on the male torso.

Patients are often surprised to discover that another skin change is in fact a form of acne scarring. Tiny firm white bumps surrounding hair follicles on the upper arms or upper torso are known as follicular macular atrophy. These scars can last indefinitely.

Aging can affect scar visibility. After the age of 40, 1% of the dermal collagen is lost annually. With this additional loss of collagen combined with reduced skin tone, scars can become far more noticeable.

Laser Treatments

There are 2 major categories of laser used in acne scar therapy. They are the resurfacing (aka ablative) lasers and the non-ablative lasers.

Ablative lasers literally remove the outer layers of the skin, burning away scar tissue and stimulating the dermal collagen to tighten, reducing the amount of scar visibility. The ultrapulsed carbon dioxide laser and erbium YAG laser are most frequently used in laser resurfacing.

Because the skin is injured and unprotected tissue exposed, great effort must be put into wound care and infection prevention. The skin may remain reddened for several months or a year afterwards.

Non-ablative lasers trigger changes within the dermis without injuring the epidermis. They are the “lunchtime” form of laser therapy. Smoothbeam is the newest FDA approved laser for this treatment. Smoothbeam targets and heats the sebaceous gland, helping reduce sebum and acne formation. Heating the collagen helps tighten the dermis, resulting in less visible scarring.

Another option is the yellow pulse dye laser. The yellow light laser also helps treat keloidal scars, flattening and reducing redness as well as helping control itching of the raised scar.

A topical anesthetic like LMX 4% Topical Anesthetic Cream - 30gm is applied about an hour before the procedure. The surface of the skin is cooled to prevent the laser from damaging the epidermis. A patient will feel both the cold spray as well as some amount of stinging and heat during the session. The application of a topical anesthetic an hour before the procedure makes this tolerable. The procedure takes about an hour. Typically 3 sessions a month apart are performed.

Another non-ablative laser, the N-Lite is used to trigger collagen formation. Three or more treatments may also be required to obtain acceptable improvement.


Filler Substances

Filler substances are best used for shallow, saucer-shaped acne scars. The market has seen an increase in the number and ever improving quality of filler substances used to help “plump up” acne scars. Restylane, Cosmoderm, Cymetra, Fasciian, Artecoll and bovine Collagen are all available. Hylaform is one of the newest fillers just recently approved by the FDA.

Fat transplantation utilizes a patient’s own fat removed by a small liposuction cannula, prepared and reinjected into the dermal defect. While none of these methods are permanent, results tend to last between 3 and 6 month.


Filler Substitutes

Not interested in filler injections? Consider use of DERMAdoctor Faux Fillment Instant Topical Line Filler to temporarily plump the skin with a surge of hyaluronic acid. Supercharged Hyaluronic Acid is propelled into the skin at a high velocity. Once it has penetrated, significant volume is restored. Within twenty minutes, the added volume lifts and smoothes wrinkles, lines, depressed scars and skin creases. Rapid filling and smoothing of and subtle acne scars occurs (it can also be used for deep wrinkle lines - smile and frown lines, vertical lip lines; neck and décolleté creases). Results typically last for twenty-four to thirty-six hours.


Punch Excision

Ice pick acne scars have hard, irregular jagged borders and often the depth is irregular as well. Simple excision of these scars with a sutured closure allows the dermatologist to bring the dermis back together, get rid of the ragged margins and close the area with a fine, uniform line.

The tiny linear scar may be allowed to fade on its own or the procedure may be performed before a more generalized resurfacing is performed such as dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, chemical peel or laser resurfacing.


Subcision

In this procedure the dermatologist undermines the acne scar with a sharp instrument such as a tiny scalpel or needle. Subcision helps break fibrous bands of scar tissue that are creating tension between the epidermis and deeper structures and also helps induce new collagen formation.


Dermabrasion

Dermatologists have been performing dermabrasion for decades. This procedure has fallen somewhat out of favor with the availability of newer, easier to use techniques. In dermabrasion, the skin is anesthetized and frozen and an extremely sharp rapidly rotating blade sheers away damaged tissue. The ultimate result is similar to laser resurfacing.


Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is not a substitute for traditional dermabrasion, which may still be required for advanced cases of ice pick acne scarring. Recent studies confirm that microscopic exam of treated tissue shows significant improvement. This procedure is also done as a series in an outpatient setting, usually the physician’s office or even some day spas. The combination of topical products can help expedite this procedure as well. DermaNew Total Body Experience Kit can help exfoliate the skin and may help with more minor acne scars, however, I think it would be more beneficial to use it to help in your PIH treatment plan.


Chemical Peels

A chemical peel involves the application of a high potency acid upon the skin. The more potent the acid, the deeper the penetration into the skin. Personally I find this more beneficial for post inflammatory skin color changes and the most minor of acne scars. For at home use, consider Ellen Lange Retexturizing Peel or Cellex-C Speed Peel Facial Gel. Ultra aggressive phenol peels which reach the deeper dermis must be approached with great care and administered in a hospital-like monitored setting because they have been associated with heart arrhythmias.


Topicals For Atrophic Scars

Everyone always wants to know what topicals can help acne scars. I have many clients who swear by Mederma and ScarGuard ScarCare for helping improve saucer-shaped depressed acne scars, typically newer ones. Certainly anything that has been shown to help stimulate collagen bundle formation such as DermaNew Total Body Experience Kit which is oil-free and/or the use of a topical Vitamin A derivative such as Retin A or Tazorac (help with exfoliation as well as stimulate collagen) seem like logical choices. Cellex-C and the topical Vitamin A product should be used at separate times of the day.

These are certainly options I do encourage those with acne scars to take. I do think that the reality is that a procedure is going to maximize your results, whether done alone or incorporated with a topical agent.


Keloid Scar Therapy

Keloids are never easy to treat. However, a variety of options continue to come to the market. Pressure dressings and massage may help fatten some keloids but is not considered a terribly effective form of treatment.

Silicone based topicals are en vogue. Consider ScarGuard ScarCare or Kelo-cote Scar Gel to help reduce keloid thickness and discomfort.

Steroid creams, injections and impregnated tapes can also be beneficial for treating keloidal scars. Cortisone helps shrink thickened, raised fibrous scar tissue.

The pulse dye yellow light laser as mentioned above is useful in keloid therapy.

Finally, Interferon injections can help soften a keloid and smooth it out.

Answer 5

Hi, First and foremost DO NOT USE CHEMICALS ON FACE

1. Put toothpaste on your pimple before you go to bed, should help reduce swelling overnight. Make sure it is the paste not the gel. One of the most popular acne home remedies.

2. Wash your face twice a day in warm salty water. This should leave your face oil free without aggravating the acne.

3. Apply a paste of fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves over the face every night for 10-15 minutes and washed with warm water. This will prevent acne, pimples, blackheads, and wrinkles.

4. Place strawberry leaves on the acne, the alkalinity helps to reduce the swelling.

5. Extract juice of one lemon and mix with equal quantity of rose water. Apply this mixture on the face and let it stay for about half an hour. Wash the face with fresh water. About 15 days application helps cure acne, pimples and reduces blemishes and scars.

6. Another method is to massage the face with the skin of lemon before washing with lukewarm water.

7. Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment of acne, pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.

8. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. At least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables should be included in your diet. All acne home remedies should include a healthy diet.

9. A couple of garlic cloves, crushed and dabbed on the face 1-2 times a day. One of the smellier acne home remedies!

10. Home face wash for acne: Mix together 1 or 2mls each of the following: witch hazel, tea-tree and sweet fennel essential oils, adding essential oil of geranium for women and essential oil of rosewood for men. Mix with 300mls of water. Shake before use, as the oils will float on top of the water during storage. Dab affected areas with cotton wool two or three times a day. The oils will clean and unclog giving antibiotic-like protection to the skin.

11. Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected area overnight. Wash off with warm water next morning.

12. Use 2-3 tsp. dried basil leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Steep 10-20 minutes. Cool, and apply with cotton ball.

13. Grind orange peel with some water to a paste and apply on affected parts. One of the best acne home remedies.

14. Clean face with cotton wool dipped in rose water 2-3 times a day.

15. Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice in 1 teaspoon finely ground cinnamon powder and apply on affected areas frequently.

16. Nettle Tea is another solution, this tea has a herb that has some curing power and really helps work wonders on skin problems. Drink four cups a day to get the full benefit of one of the most powerful acne home remedies. Get nettle products here.

17. Aloe Vera juice applied twice a day can greatly speed up the healing of acne lesions. You can buy Aloe Vera at vitacost.com

18. Another lotion that uses bee propolis extract may also be effective. Mix eight ounces of water and 11 drops of bee propolis extract. One of the acne home remedies which has been proven effective with many people.

19. Some herbal acne home remedies...
Burdock leaf tea.
Lavender essential oil (mix 1:10 with water)
Tincture of calendula flowers.
Tea tree essential oil (mix 1:10 with water)
Liquefy cabbage leaves with witch hazel, strain and add two drops of lemon oil. Use as a lotion.

20. Ice down the acne before bed, by morning it should be noticeably less swollen. Works best on larger pimples that have not yet formed a head.

21. Take vitamin B5 and zinc supplements daily to strengthen the skin's resistance to acne.

22. Mix mint juice with turmeric powder and apply on affected area. Leave for 15-30 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.

23. Mix some vinegar and salt in a bowl. Pour a little bit in your hand and rub it on the pimples. Soak a face towel in it and dab it on the bumps. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off.

24. Blend cucumber and make a paste. Apply this as a mask on your face and leave it for 1/2 hour and then rinse. This refreshes your skin and prevents acne.

25. Mix corn flour with egg white and apply on your face. Let is dry completely for 1/2 hour. Dip your hands in warm water and massage your face and wash off. This when repeated regularly gives you a smooth skin.

26. Mix sandalwood paste with rosewater and apply on the face. Rinse off after 30 minutes.

27. Essential oil face mask for acne: Use a mask base powder, such as fuller's earth or kaolin powder. Use distilled or filtered water to make a paste. Mix 1 heaped teaspoon of base powder to 3 drops of essential oil. Add approximately 2 tablespoons of the water in, to make a fluid yet balanced paste. Essential oils to add in the mask either separately or try smaller amounts together; cypress oil 1 drop, lemon oil 2 drops, sage oil 1 drop.

28. Mix the paste of tender neem leaves with turmeric and apply of affected area. An eastern approach to acne home remedies.

29. Grind some nutmeg with milk and apply on affected area. Pimples disappear like magic without leaving a mark.

30. Make a mixture of lime juice and rose water. Apply on face and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

31. Make a paste by mixing 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. Repeat for two weeks, pimples will disappear forever.

32. Rub fresh garlic on and around pimples. Pimples will disappear without a mark with regular applications.

33. Mix 1 tsps groundnut oil with 1 tspn fresh lime juice to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples .

34. Ground drumstick pods and leaves and mix mixed with fresh lime juice, and apply on pimples. This is also good for blackheads and dark spots.

35. First wash face and then dab acne with cotton balls soaked in vinegar.

36. Mix groundnut oil with an equal amtount of fresh lime juice and apply on face. leave for 10-15 minutes and wash. It may be applied daily to prevent formation of blackheads, acne and pimples.

37. Apply juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) on swelling acne, pimples.

38. Apply fresh lime juice mixed to a glass of boiled milk as a face wash for acne, pimples, blackheads, and ed skin.

39. Apply ripe Tomatoes pulp on acne, pimples and kept upto 1 hour, then wash.

40. Make a paste of roasted & powdered pomgranate skin with fresh lime juice and apply over acne, boils, pimple, blackheads and whiteheads.

41. Apply grated potatoes as poultice to treat skin blemishes, wrinkles, boils, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads , etc.

42. Make a paste of ground radish seeds with water and apply on face to remove blackheads.

43. Apply a paste of ground seasame seeds with water as poultice for inflammation of the skin due to allergies, skin rashes, and pimples.

44. Large pores on facial skin can be treated with paste of sandalwood powder with masoor dal.

45. Use an oatmeal or almond mask throughly to cleanse your face. Mix either oatmeal or almond powder with enough rose water to make a soft paste that spreads easily on the skin. Rub it on your skin with your fingertips, paying special attention the problem areas. Leave to dry for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with cold water. This is very good in getting rid of blackheads.

46. A solution made out of one and a half cups of hot water and half a tablespoon of boric powder is an ideal remedy for blackheads, Saturate a face napkin in this hot solution and press on to the skin, repeat twice. Extract blackheads carefully with a blackhead remover and sterilized cottonwool. Pat on an astrigent.

47. Honey is a great remedy for skin blemishes and acne because the honey kills bacteria.
These are some effective home remedies for the treatment of acne and blackheads.