Friday, February 15

Natural remedies for acne scars - How to lighten acne marks

Home > Types of acne scars > Natural remedies for acne marks - How to lighten acne scars

To lighten acne scars many natural remedies are available.
The golden rule for preventing acne scars is to get rid of acne in its early stage.
If you are left with skin discoloration and scars after acne eruptions, you can successfully lighten them. If there is only discoloration and milder acne scars, you can try homemade skin remedies. People having skin sensitivity have to take extra care while using natural ingredients.

For acne scars which are deep and severe, seeking help from a dermatologist is the best option. However medical remedies to lighten acne scars requires sufficient spare time for visiting clinic and also wherewithal, as most of the procedures are time consuming and expensive.

How natural products function as remedies for acne scars

Acne scars, while having epidermal concomitants, also involve dermis and are caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Exfoliation with natural products removes dead skin cells and debris from the surface of the skin and exposes the healthy new skin beneath. Fruit enzymes, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids present in natural products are used for exfoliation. These natural acne remedies to lighten scars work as keratolytic, antibiotic and comedolytic agents causing the top epidermal layer to lose its binding and shed more freely. They open up the pores and neutralize bacteria. They have greater bio-availability and by diminishing cellular cohesion between keratinocytes cells (corneocytes), induce formation of new stratum corneum. On reaching dermis, alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids have been found to induce increased production of mucopolysaccharides and collagen and thereby increase the thickness of skin.

Natural kitchen ingredients to lighten acne scars

  • Natural proteolytic fruit enzymes like papain and bromelain are available in papaya and pineapple respectively which lighten skin.
  • Alpha-hydroxy acids are a group of AHAs having natural properties to lighten acne blemishes.
  • Glycolic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, citric acid and tartaric acids are the AHAs with exfoliating properties.
  • Salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid is again an excellent exfoliating agent used as one of the natural remedies to lighten skin.

Papaya and pineapple as natural acne remedies

Papaya contains natural proteolytic enzyme papain. Applying the juice of papaya loosens and removes the top most epidermal layer and lightens skin.
Pineapple juice contains the proteolytic enzyme bromelain. Apply either of the juices on the acne scars and allow it to work for 15 minutes. Then wash well with lukewarm water. Applying the juices twice a week remedies acne scars.

Acne remedies with sugarcane juice and oatmeal

Grind oatmeal into fine powder and add sufficient sugarcane juice to make it into a paste. Apply it on the face and using rotating movements scrub the face gently for five minutes. Then gently wash it clean with lukewarm water. Applying twice a week will help exfoliation and lighten acne scars. Oatmeal works as good gentle scrub and the glycolic acid present in sugarcane juice is an excellent exfoliating agent.

Lemon juice lightens and remedies acne scars

Lemon juice and other citrus fruit juices contain citric acid, an AHA. Apply lemon juice on the face and allow it to dry. after 15 minutes wash the face well with lukewarm water and dab it dry. Applying the juice twice a week remedies acne blemishes and lightens skin.

Natural remedies with yogurt for acne scars

When milk curdles due to the action of lactic acid bacilli, yogurt (sour milk) is formed and the sour taste is due to lactic acid, an AHA. Apply yogurt on the face and leave it to dry for 15 minutes. Then wash well with lukewarm water to remove yogurt and dab dry. Apply yogurt twice a week to lighten acne blemishes.

Natural remedies to lighten skin - grape juice 

Grape juice contains tartaric acid which is again an AHA. Apply grape juice on the face and allow it to dry for 15 minutes. Then rinse your face clean with lukewarm water to remove grape juice. Applying natural fresh grape juice twice a week lightens acne scars.

Malic acid in apples lightens acne scars

Apples have an alpha-hydroxy acid known as malic acid. Applying apple juice on the face helps in exfoliation and remedies blemishes. Apply apple juice twice a week to lighten acne scars.

Natural acne scars remedies with raisins

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid known for its comedolytic and exfoliating properties to lighten skin. Raisins (dried grapes) are found to contain natural salicylic acid in good proportions. Soak raisins in boiled water and then blend them to get a soft paste. Apply raisin paste on the face and leave it for 15 minutes. Then rinse your face well with lukewarm water to remove raisin paste and dab it dry. Apply raisin paste recipe twice a week to improve your skin condition.

Tomato lightens acne scars

Tomato juice contains salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid. Apply tomato juice daily on the face as one of the natural remedies to remove blemishes.

Blackberries and blueberries as natural remedies

Both these berries have salicylic acid in their juice. Apply twice a week to lighten acne macules.

Turmeric

Turmeric has salicylic acid. Applying daily on the face lightens and remedies acne macules. Turmeric also contains antibiotic factors. However after application and washing, turmeric leaves a pale yellow coloration to the skin.

Most of the alpha and beta hydroxy acids derived from natural plant sources are in low concentration and usually do not cause any side effects. However persons with sensitive skin and those who are prone to allergies should use the above recipes with caution. They should try the natural recipe in small area in the arm to test for allergy before using it on the face. Stop using the recipe immediately if there is skin irritation or inflammation.

To prevent acne blemishes, medication must be started at the earliest on the beginning of eruptions and must be continued to avoid recurrence. If acne scars are formed, to lighten them, natural remedies may be tried concurrently.
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Get glowing skin complexion. Remove acne scars and blemishes from face.

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