Natural Methods to Remove Acne Scars

Acne scars and pigmentation can greatly affect the overall confidence and self-esteem of any individual who suffers from acne. Acne and scarring due to acne is a common problem faced by most teenagers as a result of hormonal aberrations at the time of puberty.
If acne marks are affecting your physical appearance too, you may look into a few possible remedies that have proven efficacy in removing acne scars.
How to remove acne scars using home remedies?
Home remedies are the first choice for most individuals due to low side effects profile and primarily because of low cost and no long term sequelae. The nature and duration of treatment greatly varies with the severity of acne, depth of acne scars and pigmentation and skin type.
A few excellent home remedies are:
Egg whites: Egg whites supply essential proteins and amino acids that help in regeneration of skin cells. Besides filling in the indentations formed by long standing chronic acne, it also helps in skin lightening and clearing deep acne pigmentations.
Baking soda: Baking soda has mild caustic action on deep seated acne scars and helps in revitalizing skin cells by sloughing off damaged skin cells. The powerful but gentle action of baking soda helps in promoting the growth of basal skin cells to replace pigmented skin cells.
Lemon juice: Lemon juice has mild acidic action that acts as a powerful exfoliation agent to regenerate skin cells by gentle sloughing action of lemon juice that helps in removing dead skin cells. Lemon juice may cause mild irritation if you have sensitive skin or active acne.
How to remove acne by using herbal methods:
Herbal methods are employed for moderate acne which is refractory to home remedies and dietary modification. Herbal remedies are also considered safer and cheaper than pharmacologic options
Some best herbal methods that are widely used to remove acne scars are:
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera can be used raw or as Aloe Vera ointment that are widely available in the market. Aloe Vera has a cooling effect on skin and helps in minimizing inflammation or redness caused by acne or acne scars. Aloe Vera has dual action; minimizing acne and clearing acne scars by healthy skin regeneration.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg is normally used in powder form by making a paste with milk. Over-night application of nutmeg and milk paste shows promising results in clearing acne scars and for a more vibrant and healthy looking skin.
How to remove acne scars by using pharmacologic therapy?
Pharmacologic therapies are normally used to remove acne scars only as a last resort due to potential side effects on skin, primarily peeling of skin and excessive dryness or scaling of skin. However, the greatest advantage of using pharmacologic therapies for removing acne scars is the efficacy of therapy against the most stubborn and deep-seated acne scar.
Benzoyl peroxide: The most common and mild pharmacotherapy for acne scar is benzoyl peroxide that also helps in relieving active acne and also helps in closing open pores (further alleviating the risk of acne). Benzoyl peroxide is effective for all skin types without causing excessive dryness of skin.
Retinal containing compounds: retinal is perhaps the last resort for acne scars caused by acne vulgaris (the most severe form of acne). Retinal compounds have skin revitalizing agents that replenish basal skin layer of cells to help in renewing superficial layers of skin cells.
Besides various remedies listed here on how to remove acne scars, a variety of other cosmetic surgeries and therapies are also available like dermabrasion or chemical peeling that helps in peeling damaged and dead skin cells, so that new cells replace pigmented scar cells.