Acne is a condition that is highly distressing – not because it’s dangerous but because of its impact on a person’s facial appearance. Although the pimples themselves may disappear with the right treatment, the scars they leave behind never really go away. Why is this so? A pimple arises due to some sort of skin damage; during the healing process, the body creates new skin cells and collagen fibers – this repair process leads to the formation of the acne scars. When it comes to reducing acne marks, it is important to remember this because whatever the form of treatment you use, the scars won’t really go away – its only their colour, size and appearance that can be modified so as to render them undetectable. Here are a few home remedies you can try to lighten the acne scars.
Sandalwood water
According to Ayurveda, sandalwood or chandan is highly effective as a soothing and cooling agent, making it ideal to deal with skin problems. For use against acne scars, simply soak a piece of sandalwood in water for a few hours. Remove the wood, dry and store for reuse. Using a small ball of cotton, smear the sandalwood water slowly on the parts of the skin that has acne scars. Repeat every day for about a week and you are sure to notice a marked difference in your facial appearance.
Another way of using sandalwood is to rub a piece of sandalwood on a wooden base with a little rosewater to get a paste. Apply a small quantity of this paste on the acne scar and leave it on overnight. Wash the next morning with cold water. Chandan has various other benefits for the skin, read here.
Add a few seeds of fenugreek (methi) into a little water; boil for about 10-15 minutes. Allow the liquid to cool, strain out the seeds and using a cotton ball, apply the water to the acne scars. Do this regularly for about a week and you will see a reduction in the intensity of the scars’ appearance.Use methi for other skin and hair problems as well.
Lemon juice
Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which plays an important role in the synthesis of collagen in the body. For this reason, the regular use of lemons – both internally as part of the diet and externally on the skin – can help keep your skin healthy and free from scars. Cut a few lemons and squeeze out the juice; apply this with a cotton ball directly onto the acne scars on the face. Allow it to remain for some time and then wash with plain water. This tends to have a bleaching effect on dark scars; however, it is important to avoid going out in bright sunlight when you have applied the lemon juice because it can lead to darkening of the skin.
Lemon juice can also be combined with other ingredients for an acne scar-reducing effect. Mix one tablespoon each of lemon juice, honey and almond oil with two tablespoons of milk and apply to the scars once a day for about one week to see an improvement.
Neem leaves
Neem contains alkaloids that give it distinct antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. This makes it effective against a wide range of skin problems right from acne and eczema to ringworm because it also has the property of cleansing the body of toxins. For action against acne scars, place a neem leaf directly on the affected area for some time; do this regularly to see good results. Neem can help banish other beauty problems too.
Aloe vera
The gel-like substance obtained from the leaves of the aloe plant has an almost magical ability to heal the skin of problems. Take a leaf from the aloe plant, wash it, and peel out the outermost layer of green to reach the innermost jelly-like substance. Scoop this out with a spoon and apply a little quantity to the scarred tissue. Do this twice a day, leave on for about half an hour and then wash off with plain water. Repeat for a few days and you will notice that not only does the acne scar become undetectable; your skin also feels tighter and gets a distinct glow. The good thing is, aloe vera suits all skin types. Try other home-made packs of aloe vera.
Apple cider vinegar
Vinegar has the property of scraping off the old cells on the surface of the skin and this peeling action along with its antiseptic property makes it useful against acne scars. However, a direct application of vinegar may damage sensitive skin; so make sure you dilute it with a little water and apply this apple cider vinegar solution to the scars using a cotton ball.
Along with the use of these home remedies, it is important to take steps to prevent new pimples from erupting. Stress tends to cause hormonal changes that can worsen acne; so use deep breathing exercises and meditation to keep stress away. Cut down on your use of oil-based cosmetics such as moisturisers and make-up and even hair products; this will reduce the blocking of the pores in the skin and reduce your chances of an acne outbreak. While there is nothing you can do about the appearance of acne prior to or during the menstruation period, you can certainly avoid it getting worse by keeping your face clean and free from oil and adopting a ‘no touching or breaking pimples’ policy.
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