Acne is an unsightly skin condition that most of us have had to deal with at some point in our lives. The good news is that the pimples usually come and go within a week or so. The bad news is that after they have cleared up, they can sometimes leave lesions or scarring in their place. Depending on the depth of the scars, they can become a permanent fixture, and a constant reminder that you once had acne. Are there any ways of preventing this from happening? Although there is no real cure for acne scarring, there are a few ways of helping to lessen the chances of developing permanent acne scars.
The first weapon in preventing acne scarring is to try to keep your acne at bay. To do this, there are a few basic techniques that have proven to be very effective in acne prevention.
-Gentle Skin Cleansing
It is important to choose a face cleanser that is gentle on the skin. Never wash your face with deodorant soap or body wash. This will strip the skin of moisture and cause redness and irritation. Use a soft cloth instead of a scrub pad and gently rub in small circular motions. Scrubbing vigorously will only make matters worse. Wash the affected area once in the morning and once before bedtime.
-Never Rub or Pick at your Skin
Picking or rubbing your skin will only increase your chances of developing acne. The dirt and oil from your fingers will cause acne to develop, and your fingernails are a breeding ground for acne causing bacteria.
-Use the Correct Moisturizer
Because face cleansers can dry the skin, it is important to use a good moisturizer. Use a non-pore clogging moisturizer to help the skin to be healthy and balanced.
-Be Consistent
When it comes to proper skin care, consistency is important. Cleansing the skin once in a while, or even a few times a week is not enough. Make time to do your skin care regiment every day.
Scarring is the body's way of repairing itself. Scars are made up of mostly the protein fiber collagen. When you have developed acne scars, there are a few things that will actually make the scarring worse.
Sun - Exposing scars to the sun's ultraviolet rays will cause them to darken and slow down the healing process. Before going outdoors, cover the skin with a quality broad-spectrum sunscreen that has a SPF of at least 15. The sunscreen should be applied every two hours to ensure complete protection.
Vitamin E - It is a common misconception that applying vitamin E cream for acne scar removal will help it to heal faster. According to the latest studies, the opposite is true. Vitamin E cream has been known to actually hinder the healing process. As a matter of fact, some patients in recent studies have developed contact dermatitis.
The thing that does seem to help in acne scar removal is the use of cortisone and fade creams. Cortisone works in reducing inflammation, and fade creams that contain a bonding agent are very effective in making acne scarring appear lighter. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is another effective fade cream.
I am a freelance writer and besides conquering acne myself, I regularly research and write about skin care topics such as acne, scarring, moles, warts and the like. For more information, tips, and resources on acne scarring, visit our website and join the discussion on acne scar removal right here.
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