There are many home remedies for acne scars that are effective.  Try these top ten home remedies for acne scars before turning to costly surgical procedures.  Home remedies for acne scars are very inexpensive and many of the ingredients can be found right in your own kitchen.

Causes of Acne Scars

The most common cause for acne scars is an inflamed lesion.  Some of the causes for a lesion are papule, pustule, or cyst.   When the follicle or pore is engorged with excess oils, dead skin cells or bacteria, an inflamed blemish occurs.  The pore swells, which causes a break in the follicle wall.  The lesion will be minor if the rupture happens near the skin’s surface.  When the follicle wall suffers a deep break, then the lesions will be more serious.  This material that is infected will spill out into the dermis causing the healthy skin tissue to become destroyed.

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New collagen fibers begin to form in order to repair this damage caused to the skin tissue.  Collagen is a fibrous protein, which allows the skin to have strength and flexibility.  The problem is that when these collagen fibers begin to form, they do not form smoothly.

The difference between acne scars and other scars is that the wound occurs within the dermis from the inflammation caused by the acne.  Therefore, the scar is most often within the skin, rather than on its surface.

Types of Acne Scars

There are five common types of acne scars.  These are:

1. Ice Pick Scars – These acne scars are deep and narrow.  They form pits in the skin.
2. Rolling Scars – These acne scars have a wave-like appearance on the skin’s surface.  This is because of their wide and shallow depth.
3. Boxcar Scars – These acne scars have angular and well defined edges.  They are usually found on the temples or cheeks.  These types of scars are similar to chickenpox scars.
4. Hypertrophic Scars - Hypertrophic scars are raised, but stay within the boundary of the original wound.  They can reduce in size over time.
5. Keloid Scars –Keloid scars are the overgrowth of tissues that can expand beyond the wound site.  It is a rubbery and firm type of scar and can itch.

Acne scars are generally brown or red discolorations that have been left behind after pimples heal.  Many times, they will lighten up in two to twelve months; however, you can increase the healing time by skin lightening and scar removal creams that are made from items right from your own home.

Top Ten Home Remedies for Acne Scars

1. Water – Drinking water is the best home remedies for acne scars. Water flushes out the system, as well as benefits all other parts of your body.
2. Lemon Juice – Squeeze juice out of lemons or limes.  Put the juice on your acne scars with a cotton ball.  Leave this on your face for 10 to 15 minutes to lighten or fade away dark acne scars.  Rinse face off with water.  If your skin is not too sensitive, you can apply and leave it on all night.   It has been said that lemon juice can remove pigmentation almost twice as fast as any other home remedy for acne scars.
3. Tomato – Slice up a tomato and put it over your acne scars.  This will help to heal the damaged skin because of the vitamin A and antioxidants found in tomatoes.
4. Olive Oil – Fade away acne scars by applying olive oil on your acne scars.
5. All Natural Facial Mask – Help to minimize or fade away acne scars by applying this face mask you can make from your own kitchen.   Simply mix the following ingredients together:  1 tablespoon of sour cream, 1 tablespoon yogurt, 1 tablespoon oatmeal, and a couple drops of lemon juice.  Put the mask on your acne scars or your entire face and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes.  Wash off.
6. Sandalwood and Rosewater - Create a paste out of sandalwood and a couple drops of rosewater.  Apply over your face like a mask.  Leave on overnight.  In the morning, wash off completely.  Sandalwood helps to cool and soothe your skin making your face smoother.
7. Cucumber and Tomato – Create a paste out of cucumber and tomato.   Apply to your face for 20 to 30 minutes.  Rinse off.
8. Honey – Apply honey as a mask.  Honey is a natural moisturizer that can help to reduce the appearance of acne scars.
9. Fenugreek – Make a paste out of Fenugreek leaves and apply it on as a facial mask.  Boil Fenugreek seeds in water and use this solution on the acne scars after it has cooled.

10.  Lavender Oil – Apply this on the acne scars twice a day.  Lavender oil has acne-fighting essential oil.

Other Home Remedies for Acne Scars

Ice helps to reduce acne scar appearance.  Your irritated skin will be soothed and your pores will be tightened, which will give your skin an even texture.  Tea tree oil, aloe vera gel, vitamin E, vitamin A, and zinc are also well known home remedies for acne scars.

Prevention is the Best Treatment

You can reduce your risk of acne scars by reducing inflammatory breakouts as often as you can.   Here are some prevention steps to help reduce your risk of acne scars:

• Treat acne as soon as it occurs so that it does not develop into a more severe form of acne.

• Do not pick or squeeze your pimples.  This is a very tempting thing to do, but it can push debris deeper into the dermis and spread the infection to other tissue, which can make the inflammation worse.

• Never pick at scabs.  A scab is like a natural bandage.  This will protect the wound while it heals.  If a scab is picked before it is ready, the healing process will take longer and the risk for scarring is significantly increased.

• Try to avoid things that will irritate the skin, such as aggressive scrubbing and using harsh skin products.

• Contact a doctor if you have large, deep breakouts or cysts.  These forms of acne can leave permanent scars.

If you cannot completely prevent acne scars, try the above home remedies for acne scars before looking into alternative procedures.

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