Acne Scars: Treatment and Prevention

Acne scars are one of the most pervasive dermatological problems. They are common for people of all ages. Typically, they are a result of inflammation that occurs when bacteria, dead cells and access oil combined together and started pressing on the walls of the skin pore and breaks the follicle wall. Up to 80 percent of people in their teenage years are getting affected by acne. While many of these people recover from the said skin condition without permanent effects, some are left with scars.

There are a few topical skin care medications that can help improve mild scarring. Most acne scars can also be treated by means of skin resurfacing and surgical procedure combinations.

Treatment Options

Not all scars can be avoided even with careful treatment. But the good news is there are now a number of treatment options that you can choose to minimize the appearance of acne scars. Your doctor will check how different your scars are and may recommend you any of the following treatment options:

• Dermabrasion. This is a kind of skin smoothing surgery where the skin's top layers are removed. A special device is used in this treatment option to gently sand the surface of the skin to normal and healthy skin. Normally, an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly is applied on the skin to less scaring and scab formation.

• Chemical Peels. In this procedural treatment, a chemical or exfoliating agent is applied on the skin. Among the most common agents used include lactic acid, trichloroacetic acid, glycolic acid, carbocilic acid and salicylic acid. Chemical peels usually range from light to deep strength, depending on the chemical agent used and how much time it should stay on the skin. How much peeling should be made also depends on the skin condition and expected results. Chemical peels are often suggested to those who have mild acne scars.

• Laser Treatments. There are two (2) categories of laser that are used to treat acne scars. These are ablative or resurfacing laser and non-ablative lasers. Ablative lasers take off the skin's outer layer, burning scar tissues and tightening the dermal collagen. Through this way, the visibility of the scar is reduced. In laser resurfacing, erbium YAG laser and ultrapulsed carbon dioxide laser are commonly used. Since the skin is damaged and unprotected tissues are exposed, effort should be performed in wound care and avoiding infection. The skin may redden for a couple of months or even a year afterwards.

Non-ablative lasers sets off changes in the dermis without damaging the epidermis. The newest FDA approved laser for this kind of treatment is called "smoothbeam."

• Filler Substances. For shallow and saucer-shaped acne scars, filler substances are commonly used. There has been an increase in the amount of filler substances used in plumping up acne scars. Cosmoderm, Fascian, Restylane, Artecoll, Cymetra and bovine collagen are available.

Acne Scar Prevention Tips

As soon as acne develops, treat it! The most effective means in avoiding acne scars is by preventing the development of acne into a severe form. Do not wait for acne to go away on its own, but start treating it right away. Consult a dermatologist to know if your acne is unresponsive to topical medications or over-the-counter treatments. As possible, avoid doing things that could irritate your skin like using harsh skin care products and aggressive scrubbing.

Home Remedies For Clear Skin

Avoiding Pricey Skin Care Products

Clear healthy looking skin is something we all want. It can be a drain on our confidence and a source of frustration if our skin is marred by blemishes and spots. There are of course many expensive clear skin remedies available for us to buy. The problem is when we use these chemical treatments we can leave ourselves open to potential side effects. Indeed for those with very sensitive skin the use of these products can lead to even more problems with the skin.

The good news is that there are a number of home remedies that are not only simple to use but have also proved to be very effective. Another great thing about home remedies is that they are available at a cost the majority of us can afford and they are readily available. Even if you do not possess some of the products I talk about you will find them all down at your local store.

Work From The Inside Out

We will all have heard the saying "You are what you eat", it has after all been around for a long time. Your body will typically provide you with signals that all is not well when it loses its natural healthy balance. This can often be exhibited in the form of marred or blemished skin. We can usually see a marked improvement in the skins condition if we eat a balanced diet. Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and keeping our body well hydrated, is considered as one of the simplest and best home remedies for clear skin.

Remedies In Our Kitchen Cupboards

Exfoliating is considered by many as one of the keys to clear skin. A great home face mask can be made from a simple ingredient like oatmeal. Just mix some oatmeal into a paste with water and gently scrub over the area affected. Allow this mixture to dry and leave on for approximately fifteen minutes. In doing this you will help to eliminate the dead skin that can clog pores and at the same time work to reduce any excess oil.

Try Herbal Remedies

Basil is seen by many as a very effective clear skin treatment. Boil some water and allow three teaspoons of basil to infuse in it for ten minutes. Then take a cotton wool ball and apply to the area of ​​the skin affected. This is said to work well as both an antibacterial and as an anti-inflammatory. Other herbs said to work in a similar fashion are bayberry bark, neem and tea tree oil.

Other Options

Other easily available home remedies include egg white and orange peel. Tried and trusted by many, egg white is placed onto the affected area and allowed to dry for twenty minutes. Then remove with warm water, it is said to be great in promoting healing and removing excess oil. Orange peel works well because the citric acid found in it helps to kill bacteria. Simply grind it up with water and apply to the skin for around half an hour.

Of course, nothing we talk about here is guaranteed to work for everyone. However before you spend money on more conventional remedies they are definitely worth giving a go. Not only will they save you money they may even benefit your skin as well