This skincare tip is in response to a reader's comment on the tagboard:
Tips on how to reduce red/dark acne scars:
By acne scars I mean the dark red or brown scars that are left over after the acne has healed, not the pitted or rolling scars which are holes that make the skin surface uneven.
To reduce the dark red/brown acne scars, which can last for months. I would recommend using whitening serums regularly, day and night. Also, whitening masks at night would help as a more intensive treatment for reducing the melanin in the skin - the dark pigment that makes up the scar.
Also, it is important to use sunscreen in the day to prevent the scars from darkening and also the maintain the results from your whitening serum/mask. You definitely won't want to cancel out the effects of your whitening by exposing your skin to the darkening effects of the sun.
Lastly, regular weekly scrub/exfoliation will help remove dead skin cells and aid in skin renewal. Our skin is in the form of multiple layers and we shed layers daily. So exfoliating helps remove the old skin cells and helps the deeper new cells (without melanin) come up to the surface. However, this should be done weekly, please do not over exfoliate as it will cause other skin problems like dehydration and exposing the unmatured new skin cells to the surface, which leads to unhealthy skin.
Healing of dark red/brown acne scars take time and these tips should help speed up the process.
hello,
ReplyDeletei am a new follower and i'm trying to start focusing on skin care vs buying tons of cosmetics to cover up the imperfections.
i have combination-oily and super sensitive skin. my main focus right now is still acne and serious acne scars. are there any products (it can be essence or toner or moisturizer) that you recommend? (it can be either asian brand or american brand as i am based in the USA). thank you so much in advance :) :) i love your blog!
Hi! Thanks for reading! =)
ReplyDeleteI think your skin type is quite complicated as it is super sensitive. Many acne products are very strong on the skin and would cause some redness. I am currently using Avene Diacneal. The retinaldehyde (a form of retinoid) helps heal acne as well as lighten the scar more quickly. The glycolic acid also helps slough off dead skin to prevent further breakouts. I think this product is not bad and worth a try.
To combat the oiliness, it might be good to try a mud mask once or twice a week. This would help suck out excess dirt and oil to prevent clogging of pores. I have not tried this but the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque is highly raved. I haven't been able to get this as it is not readily available here, but should be widely available in the US =)
However, if your acne is really severe, it would be good to see a dermatologist.
Hope this helps! :)