From the annoying breakouts to inflamed pimples to the always annoying acne scar, there’s no doubt acne wreaks havoc on the skin of millions of Americans. Acne effects as many as 50 million Americans every year, making it the most common skin condition in the United States.
Getting rid of pimples and covering up acne scars makes for big business for skin care companies. The global skin care market is predicted to reach a net work of $180 billion by 2024 and as long as there are skin issues to deal with, Americans will always be looking for the next promising skin remedy.
Botox can be one effective way to get rid of a pesky acne scar. In 2016, there were up to seven million Botox treatments, making it the most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure.
There are many treatments which promise to rid your skin of every acne scar, but they have varying degrees of effectiveness. Studies of patients injected with a small amount of Botox found that 85 percent of them saw a decrease in pore size and oil production where the Botox was injected.
When Botox is injected into the forehead, patients have been found to sweat less, which decreases the amount of sebaceous oils that can lead to clogged pores, acne and, much later, acne scars. Meeting with a dermatologist or skin care doctor before undergoing this procedure is highly recommended. Botox can be very effective as an acne treatment, but it is a temporary fix because sweating functions can regenerate.
If Botox isn’t your thing, there are also many household options for getting rid of a pesky acne scar. These home remedies include:
- Lemon Juice: Alpha-hydroxy acid in lemons heals and revitalizes skin. Applying it to your skin makes acne scars less noticeable.
- Aloe Vera: Applying the gel to your skin offers a great source of moisture and healing for your skin.
- Vinegar: Rather than seeking out expensive treatment, vinegar is a go-to DIY option. It helps remove the outermost layer of skin to turn dead skin cells into healthy new ones.
- Coconut Oil: The essential fatty acids will work wonders on your skin. Applying coconut oil and keep it on your skin as long as you desire. There’s no need to wash it off; just apply it and let it work it’s magic.
- Tea Tree Oil: Applying this essential oil over an acne scar will help make them smoother and heal faster. It also smells great.
Not every acne scar is the same and learning how to get rid of them is probably going to require some trial and error to find a remedy that works best. As previously mentioned, there are many products available promising to clear your skin of acne. When looking at them, it’s important to look for some key ingredients, which will help you get clearer skin.
- Vitamin C: It’s well known that it boosts your immunity, but it also promotes wound healing and can also brighten dull skin and lighten brown skin spots.
- Vitamin E: This is another essential vitamin that packs a punch when it comes to clearer skin. It seals cracks in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin) and helps improve the appearance of scars once a wound has healed.
- Glycolic Acid: This is another ingredient that works wonders on your skin. As a small acid, it penetrates deep into pores and helps brighten skin’s complexion. It also helps your skin repair and regenerate itself.
While all of the remedies listed above are great for attacking acne scars that have already formed, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent them from popping up at all.
- Sunscreen: Obviously it protects skin from the sun, but also can permanently reduce acne scarring. For optimal skin care and protection, Americans of all skin types are recommended to use a sunscreen with a broad-spectrum protection of SPF 30 or higher.
- Hygiene: To prevent acne scars, it pays off to keep your hands off your face. Remember to wash it daily and apply any skincare products you use to keep your skin clean.
- Keeping Inflammation Down: Minimizing redness as much as possible keeps acne scares from forming. Applying spot treatments to any lesions immediately can reduce redness and applying ice to painful blemishes can reduce swelling.