How to Get Rid of Scars and Cuts Left by Acne

So you popped a zit, it starts to bleed, and then it turns into a wee scratch. To top it off, a few days later you have this little dry scab. Well, here are some ways to prevent the rupturing of Acne, and a bit of aid in the healing scars.

Steps

1. Stop popping! It's tempting, but honestly, it make things worse. If you absolutely must pop, make sure that the area (and your fingers) are clean and disinfected. After you pop, gently clean the area with warm water and a washcloth, then cover the popped pimple with ice for a minute or two. This will reduce the swelling. With a cleaner pop, and a smaller area to infect, you greatly reduce your chances of getting a scab or scar.

2. Keep with your regular acne routine. Continue your routine to make sure that no new acne appears. If you don't have a very regulated method of treating and preventing acne, then it's time to start one.

3. Allow to heal naturally. Sometimes, the best method of dealing with acne scars and cuts is just to let your body do the works. Keep the irritated area clean and use as little make-up on the area as possible.

4. Use a Scar Treatment. For post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation (brown or red marks on the skin) try something like Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Acne Mark Fading Peel. Mederma is also a good "spot" treatment. For "ice picks" or "crater-like" scars, which are actual dents in the skin, often the most effective treatment is seeing a doctor.

5. Moisturize and protect. Always use an oil-free moisturizer that has SPF. Try Body Guard Exquisitely Light SPF 30 For Face & Body.


Tips

* Avoid touching your face. Your hands can transfer additional oil to an infected area.
* Scars tend to be more noticeable on pale skin. You can combat this with a safe self-tanner (not to be confused with tanning booths and/or sun-tanning, which are unhealthy for your skin). You could also buy a natural redness - countering concealer.
* Neosporin is ideal for speeding up healing time thus causing lesser scarring. There is also Neosporin Scar Solution.
* You can use plain yogurt to help fade scars. Apply it to your face twice daily. It will moisturize your face, purify it and your skin will heal much faster.
* Apply aloe vera or vitamin E; it will speed up the healing process.
* Cocoa butter is a rich moisturizer that is very effective. Try Palmer's Scar Serum. It contains Cocoa butter, Vitamin E, Shark Liver Oil,, Silicone and Allium CEPA and is around $15 available from most chemists.
* Use lemon on scars daily. But use moisturizer before going to bed as the lemon may cause dry skin.
* Honey Mixed with lemon & almond oil and milk = acne free
* Moisture helps scars heal, so be sure to moisturize. (but be careful of heavy moisturizers that can clog pores)
* Do TCA peels of 12% three weeks apart. Amazing, effective, and inexpensive.


Warnings

* Picking at the scabs and scars will only make things worse.
* If your acne ruptures even when you don't touch it, you need to see a dermatologist. Bleeding or excessive acne is not natural, and may be the result of an infection or allergies. Get treatment as soon as possible.
* Acne is caused by a bacterial infections - more times than not. So understand that popping zits only spreads the infection.
* Do not use Neosporin if you are allergic to it!
* Excessive sun exposure without using SPF can make scars darker and more permanent.