Acne scars do not go away entirely on their own. Depressed acne scars often become more noticeable with age as skin loses collagen. However, there are a variety of treatments that can make acne scars less noticeable. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or redness may lighten on its own within several months.
"The discoloration from dark marks will usually fade over time," says dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, who notes that they tend to take between 3-6 months to go away on their own. "But, there are a number of treatment options to help speed up the process."
You can get rid of acne scars naturally with over-the-counter (OTC) creams and gels, and home remedies such as apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. Acne scars are the stubborn reminders of your former acne breakouts. There isn't a single treatment for acne scars since everyone's skin is different.
If your skin remains smooth in dark or red areas, you simply have an acne mark. Those marks are not scars — they are just temporarily discolored. It usually takes 3-6 months for the marks to disappear. However, if you have a scar, you're dealing with permanent skin damage that needs treatment in order to disappear.
The two main types of acne scarring are: Discoloration scarring – hyperpigmentation that causes the affected skin to remain darker after the blemish has healed. Indentation scarring – more common with severe acne, occurs when the top layer of skin doesn't fully heal and regenerate — leaving an indentation in the skin.
Although scars are permanent, they can fade over a period of up to 2 years. It's unlikely they'll fade any more after this time.
Some experts believe that the best way to treat acne scars naturally is to drink lots of water. Dead skin cells are shed off easier when your body is hydrated with enough water. New skin also grows faster and smoother when you have lots of water in your body.
Is hot water good for my skin? A. When you drink hot water every single day, your body temperature rises temporarily, and this leads to sweating. This process helps release toxins from the body and that is a great way to inhibit bacterial infections that could cause acne.
What makes acne scarring worse? Your own DNA plays a role in your scars! Your genes determine how well your skin heals, the amount of collagen produced and the depth of the acne lesions also controls the severity of the scars. However, you can make the scarring worse by smoking, squeezing the acne and picking at it.
If you suffer from acne scarring on your body (shoulders and back for example) moisturize with Vaseline® Intensive Care Deep Restore Lotion. It is formulated with nutrients and multi-layer moisture to penetrate deep down and can help keep skin hydrated and healthy-looking.
Aloe vera has been found to be an effective bacteria killer and acne treatment. With very little risk and a high possibility for success, most people should feel optimistic about using aloe vera as a part of their skin care routine.