How to Reduce the Appearance of Acne Scars

As if acne and blemishes weren't bad enough, they often leave behind unsightly acne scars that never go away. If left untreated, acne scars can become darker and more prominent as one ages. Thus, it is extremely important to begin proper treatment as soon as possible. Although prevention is one of the best methods of reducing acne scars, there are several very effective treatment options as well.

Things You'll Need

• Glycolic acid cleanser
• Facial moisturizer
• Sunblock
• Hydroquinone cream

Use a glycolic cleanser once or twice daily. The glycolic acid will chemically exfoliate skin and remove dead skin cells. After several months of use, discolorations and acne scars will diminish in appearance as new, healthy skin develops.

Apply a rich and thick moisturizer with avocado or macadamia oil daily. A rich moisturizer promotes skin health by enabling it to heal faster and making skin soft and smooth. Over time, a good moisturizer will improve overall skin quality, in addition to ultimately diminishing the appearance of acne scars and increasing levels of collagen and elastin.

Use sunblock on your skin every day, not just in the summer. Excess sun exposure actually makes acne scars darker and more prominent. Using sunblock will prevent the existing scars from getting worse.

For very dark or stubborn acne scars, consult a dermatologist, who will be able to prescribe hydroquinone lotion. Hydroquinone is a powerful skin bleach that will lighten even the darkest acne scars until they are almost completely gone. Use of this powerful cream should be supervised by a professional dermatologist.

Opt for a laser acne-scar-clearing procedure, especially if the other options don't work out for you. This is one of the best methods of clearing stubborn acne scars. It may take several treatments for all of the acne scars to be cleared, but the results are long-lasting and highly effective.