Introduction:  

The most unpleasant part of getting acne is its after-effects, which are acne scars. If you are searching for some home remedies to get rid of acne scars, this blog is for you! Acne scars are very common, and you should not be ashamed of them. However, acne scars are not permanent. There are certain treatments available. Some treatments almost completely remove the scars, while others assist the skin in healing itself with its collagen. Around 80% of the population between the ages of 11 and 30 years will have acne, and one in every five will have scarring. Acne scars can affect your self-esteem, cause psychological distress, and interfere with your social life.¹ However, you can try some of these home remedies to get rid of acne scars. 

What Causes Acne Scars? 

The causes of acne include: 

• Bacteria 
• Dead skin  
• Oils in the skin 
• Clogged pores over the skin 
• Genetic predisposition to acne¹ 

Acne forms when bacteria, dead skin, and oils clog the skin pores, which leads to inflammation (swelling). Acne can appear more on the skin areas with sebaceous (oil) glands, mainly on the face, chest, and back.  

Acne scars are formed due to the inflammation of acne. Some scars are superficial, while others are deep. Superficial scars are shallow and can heal quickly. Acne swells and then breaks, and the contents leak into the surrounding tissue, causing deeper scars. The skin heals the scar by generating new collagen (a type of protein) fibres.¹ Scar occurs when the body tries to fix and cure acne.¹ 

Symptoms of Acne Scars:  

Acne causes visible symptoms like depressed (also called atrophic) or raised (also called hypertrophic) scars that appear on your skin in the following way: 

The depressed/ atrophic scars usually appear on the face, like an ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scar.^1,2 

• Ice pick scars are most commonly found on the upper cheeks and forehead, where the skin is thin. They are wider at the top and narrow as they go deeper into the skin.¹ 
• Rolling scars are most common on the jaw and lower cheeks, where the skin is thick. Rolling scars have sloping edges, giving the skin a wavy and uneven appearance.¹ 
• Boxing scars are most common on the jaw and lower cheeks. These have sharper edges and penetrate deeper into the skin.¹ 

Raised/hypertrophic scars protrude from the skin and are caused when collagen overgrows on the skin.¹ These scars are usually found on the jawline, shoulders, chest, and back.² They can be itchy or painful.¹  

Suggested Home Remedies for Acne Scars: 

There are different grades of acne scars, including macular, mild, moderate, and severe.  

• Macular (grade 1): A scar that is red but flat  
• Mild (grade 2): It is mild and can simply be covered with facial hair or makeup.  
• Moderate (grade 3): It is moderate, easily visible from some distance and cannot be covered with facial hair or makeup.  
• Severe (grade 4): It is severe and is evident from a distance of more than 1.64 feet (50 cm). It cannot be covered completely with makeup or facial hair.¹    

Get rid of acne scars with Acne Oc Moisturizer Lotion

Some of these home remedies might be helpful for macular and mild scars.  

Suggested Home Remedies for Acne Scars  

1. Rosehip Seed Oil:    

Rosehip is rich in vitamin C, which helps in dealing with acne scars.³ Rosehip seed oil (RHO) is one of the compounds that is used in cosmetics for the improvement of skin scarring. It has been used for years to manage scars. It contains a high level of essential fatty and unsaturated fatty acids that play a significant role in penetrating the skin and dealing with acne scars.⁴ You can apply the rosehip seed oil directly to the scar area.  

2. Okra (Ladyfinger):  

Ladyfinger has several health benefits and is a nutritious food. It is rich in vitamin A and C and has various antioxidants. In addition, it has beneficial effects for dealing with acne scars. It also lowers skin irritation.⁵ You can take some ladyfinger, cut it into small pieces, and grind it. Also, you can add honey, lemon juice, and tea tree oil to it. Now, you can apply this paste to your face and leave it for 30 mins. As the paste dries, wash your face with cold water. 

3. Lemon:  

Lemon helps in lowering the risk of developing acne scars. It acts as a disinfectant (destroys bacteria), exfoliant (removes dead skin), and skin lightener and also helps in preventing the formation of new pimples. You can squeeze some lemon, and the lemon juice obtained can be applied to the face with the help of cotton. You can dab some lemon juice on your face and wash your face with cold water later.⁶ 

4. Periwinkle (Sadabahar):    

Periwinkle paste might be helpful for acne scars. You can make a paste with fresh leaves of periwinkle, neem, and turmeric and apply it over skin scars. This paste gives excellent results when used regularly.⁷ 

5. Brahmi:    

Brahmi is a well-known medicinal herb known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.⁸ You can take a few leaves of brahmi, mash them, and mix with some turmeric and lemon juice. This paste can be applied to the face. It has the potential to remove scars and acne.⁷    

6. Nutmeg (Jaiphal):    

Nutmeg has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. A nutmeg paste made with milk or water can be applied to acne scars.⁹ You can also take nutmeg and cinnamon powder and mix it with honey. This paste can be used on the face. Later, you can rinse your face with cold water. This will help you manage acne and also reduce scars.⁷  

7. Haritaki:    

Haritaki has medicinal properties like anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.¹⁰ You can apply the paste of haritaki to manage acne. It not only benefits acne but also helps to prevent scarring.⁷   

Preventive Measures:  

• Avoid scratching, picking, or squeezing. It will cause extra damage and increase inflammation that will worsen the scars. 
• Avoid smoking, as it increases the risk of scarring.¹  
• Speak to a doctor before using any skin products yourself.

When to Seek Medical Help? 

Although acne scars are common, the longer you wait for your acne to heal on its own, the more likely the scarring will occur. Therefore, it is advisable to consult your dermatologist (skin doctor) as early as possible to avoid the further worsening of the condition.¹ Remember to consult your doctor and not self-medicate.

Conclusion 

Acnes are very common, and so are the scars caused by them. This article provides you with home remedies that may be useful in dealing with acne scars. These home remedies include rosehip seed oil, periwinkle, brahmi, nutmeg, okra, lemon, and haritaki. However, it is best to consult your doctor to prevent these scars from worsening further. 

Also Read: What is a Sebaceous Cyst: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Also Read: Natural Home Remedies for Stretch Marks

References: 

1. Acne Scars [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2022. p. 312–5. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21222-acne-scars?view=print 

2. ACNE SCARS : SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS [Internet]. Vol. 5, American Academy of Dermatology Association. 2009. p. 2009. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm-treat/scars/symptoms#:~:text=Depressed%3A Most acne scars cause,on the back and chest. 

3. Rizvi MA, Syed Abid Ali. Medicinal Flowers of Pakistan. Int J Adv Res [Internet]. 2016; Available from: https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/43610576/002-with-cover-page-v2.pdf 

4. Valerón-Almazán P, Gómez-Duaso AJ, Santana-Molina N, García-Bello MA, Carretero G. Evolution of Post-Surgical Scars Treated with Pure Rosehip Seed Oil. J Cosmet Dermatological Sci Appl [Internet]. 2015;05(02):161–7. Available from: http://www.scirp.org/journal/doi.aspx?DOI=10.4236/jcdsa.2015.52019 

5. Pidaran Murugan. Antidiabetic effect on some medicinal plants. Int J Curr Res Life Sci [Internet]. 2021;10(01):3392–5. Available from: http://journalijcrls.com/sites/default/files/issues-pdf/02030.pdf 

6. P. Ravisankar, Koushik OS, Himaja V, Ramesh J, Pragna P. ACNE-CAUSES AND AMAZING REMEDIAL MEASURES FOR ACNE. Indo Am J Pharm Res [Internet]. 2015;5(7):1–12. Available from: https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/53569667/82._iajpr._acne-with-cover-page-v2.pdf 

7. Ayush Division. Ayurveda offering Herbal healing [Internet]. Available from: https://www.esic.nic.in/attachments/publicationfile/7d11b02e5abb4717d53b4ce05efabd21.pdf 

8. Sharath R, Harish BG, Krishna V, Sathyanarayana BN, Swamy HMK. Wound healing and protease inhibition activity of Bacoside-A, isolated from Bacopa monnieri wettest. Phyther Res [Internet]. 2010 Aug;24(8):1217–22. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.3115 

9. Ansari Abdullah D, Nargis A, Siddique QM, Sayed A, Ashfaque M. Broad Spectrum Activities of Jaiphal (Nutmeg) in Unani system of medicine: A Review. 2021;8(1):303–14. Available from: https://alameenunanimch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Qureshi-Mohd.-Siddique-3.pdf 

10. Muthiah ML, Ram M, Rao K, Elizabeth AA, Rahman F, Pharmacology A, et al. GC-MS Analysis of Triphaladi Rasayana, an Ayurvedic Rejuvenant. 2017;42(43):236–8. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mudiganti-Ram-Krishna-Rao/publication/314242766_GC-MS_Analysis_of_Triphaladi_Rasayana_an_Ayurvedic_Rejuvenant/links/58db3c93aca272d8010ef98f/GC-MS-Analysis-of-Triphaladi-Rasayana-an-Ayurvedic-Rejuvenant.pdf 

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