How To Prevent and Treat Acne Scars
Photo: courtesy of Scarzone1/4Fade Existing Scars
"Try ScarZone. It has green tea for sensitive skin has salicylic acid and antioxidants to help reduce redness and inflammation. It's good even for sensitive skin."
Photo: courtesy of Neutrogena2/4Prevent Acne and Don't Pick
"The inflammation caused by acne cysts can destroy the collagen fibers of the skin, resulting in a depressed scar," explains dermatologist Elizabeth Tanzi, MD. "Your first line of defense is to control the acne that can cause scarring. It's best to take aggressive action with acne to prevent a scar from forming at all because the prevention of a scar is far easier than the treatment of one. Then, if you do get a pimple, don't pick! Picking and poking at a pimple almost always creates more inflammation which, in turn, can lead to greater scarring."
Photo: courtesy of Sephora3/4Use Salicylic and Glycolic Acids
"Although there is nothing that can erase a true depressed scar once it forms, there are topical treatments like salicylic and glycolic acids that can improve the pre-scar phase when it's just red, not depressed. I like Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha-Beta Peel Pads or Neutrogena All-In-One Facial Scrub."
Photo: courtesy of La Roche Posay4/4Protect Against the Sun
"The sun definitely makes marks left from acne worse by increasing pigmentation, so they take much longer to fade. The best defense for this is sunblock. Look for zinc or titanium sunblocks that have a tint, so they protect and cover at the same time. L'Oréal Sublime Skin and La Roche Posay Minerale have excellent formulations that are light and non-comedogenic, meaning they won't clog pores."
