Help with acne scars

Cedar

I'm 27 years old, and had terrible acne as an adolescent, and well into my 20s. I still break out occasionally. I have acne scars on the left side of my face--cheek, chin, and nose. As I get older, I swear, it gets worse and worse looking.

I'm looking for any recommendations for products to help fade the scars, or reduce their obviousness. I used Mederma in the past, and while it "worked" I had to use it for six months before I saw any improvement, and as soon as I stopped, the scars came back. I also disliked the heavy consistency of the product, and the way it peeled and flaked off as soon as it dried. Any recommendations, keeping in mind that my skin is oily and still prone to break outs, so I prefer products as non-greasy as possible?

15 years ago

General

34 replies

Latest reply was from

cyan45

Active Member

hi cedar, sorry to hear about your skin struggles. while i use a number of products to keep my medium/severe acne at bay, i don't know of any 'acne scar reducing' products, sorry

good luck! hopefully others will be of more help...

15 years ago

Anonymous

Have you thought about lazer treatment? It is amazing what dermatologists are doing with lazers these days.
My husband had severe acne as a teen and over the years the redness has completely vanished on it's own. So, time will heal.

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I don't know what it was called, but I know that I saw something at Target the other day that said it was specifically for acne scars. I wish I could remember! If you have a Super Target- check the face care aisle.

15 years ago

Cedar

Active Member

san--Unfortunately, laser treatments are not an option for me; the price is just way out of what I consider my dispoble income. I got cut down to part time hours at work recently, and am planning on going to school soon. Heck, even I did have that kind of money, I'd rather spend it on a trip!

I was hoping for a fairly low cost option, and wanted others' ideas before I dropped the cash. Someone recommended a product by Murad, but since they tend to be a little pricey, I was wondering if there was any feedback on it.

15 years ago

NCyogini

Active Member

I'm wondering what exactly you mean by acne scars. Do you mean actual scars, similar to what you get after a cut, or are you referring to those dark spots
(post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) that never seem to go away? I have heard people refer to both as scars.

I have a lot of PIH on my face which makes me feel very self-conscious, so I empathize with you. I'm sorry to hear that you struggle with this. I don't know of any treatments for acne scars. At the moment it's just a makeup fix for me. I'll be interested to hear if anyone else has a solution.

Peace.

15 years ago

profiterole

Member

I know this sounds a little weird, but have you tried plain yogurt? I use a mask of equal parts yogurt and honey (probably about half a teaspoon of each), smear it on my face, and leave it on for half an hour or so a couple of times a week. I've had really good results with it.

I use plain, organic yogurt with the most live cultures I can find. I've heard that raw honey works best, but I use a 99 cent honey bear from Walgreens, and that seems to work fine.

Anyway, it's very easy, cheap, and I've seen a big difference since I started using it. And you can eat the rest for breakfast!

15 years ago

Dawn

(website)

Active Member

Have you tried Vitamin E lotion or oil on the scars? It really works for most of the scars that I have accumulated over the years and even if they don't disappear, it helps the worst of it heal up.

15 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Cedar, I'm in my mid-twenties and still have bad breakouts too. I don't have a lot of scarring, but my mom has a great, light Vitamin E face creme by Bobbi Brown. I've used it a few times as an under-makeup moisturizer because it's very smooth and not oily, and I figure the Vitamin E couldn't hurt.

15 years ago

christie

Active Member

Cedar,

I'm with you. I am 29, and I have breakouts and acne scars. I have tried many different products, and I have realized that you just have to try, try, try until you find one that works. The problem is that it often takes 3 to 6 months to see results, so it is frustrating. I started using Philosophy's products a couple of years ago, and last year I started using "Help Me," which is retinol product. I was still having good breakouts, and it more-or-less cleared those up (except for premenstrual ones), and has reduced the redness and pockmarking.

I use the Purity Made Simple face wash because it is cleansing but not drying and the Hope in a Jar moisturizer (not the one made for dry skin, but the regular one) both morning and night. I use the retinol at night. It took a good 2 months before I started to see results, but the results have been sustained for over a year. My face is oily, so I need to pat it dry once or twice a day, but don't hesitate to wear moisturizer. I really like Hope in Jar because it helps reduce the look of my pores.

For deep acne scars, you will need Laser Therapy. I can't afford it either, so I just live with having not so great looking skin.

Christie

15 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Cedar, My husband also has lots of acne scarring and still breaks out at 28. We have tried nearly everything, and he's been on Accutane and everything else imaginable.
The various dermotologists he's seen have all recommended photo facial treatments. Like you, we can't afford that. So we use various products to keep him from breaking out, but nothing can be done with the scarring at present. And makeup isn't an option for him.
We have started using philosophy's Hope in a Jar for his moisturizer. We like it because it doesn't leave his skin looking shiny and greasy. That seems to tone down the redness and appearance of scars.
He rotates between philosophy's acne skin care, Proactive, and several other brands. His skin seems to become immune to one brand if he uses it continually. So since we can't "fix" the issue, we do what we can to make his skin healthy and keep it from breaking out now.

15 years ago

christie

Active Member

Sarah, has your husband tried "Help me!" It is marketed as a wrinkle/aging cream, but it worked like magic on my acne. Acne is partly a problem of skin not exfoliating off dead skin cells, which then help clog pores. The retinol sloughs off this skin, which helped not only improve my red pimples, but also the little white bumps I used to have all over my chin.

Philosophy just came out with an acne retinol product. I got it to try. I'm not sure yet if it is exactly the same or if it will improve/worsen my condition. Since Help Me works so well, I have been hesitant to try anything else. I'll keep you posted.

15 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I'll definitely check that out. Who makes that? We did try the philosophy retinol product and didn't notice any improvement. We still have it and will try again for sure.

15 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Sometimes the cause is hormone related. What helped me most was birth control pills and later hormone pills for menopause. There must be something better by now. I wonder if there is an Estrogen cream available. I had one for awhile that was prescription and it worked well. Eventually age will take care of the problem.
For an ugly red flare-up, nothing worked as well for me as leaving a bit of toothpaste on it overnight. It often dries it up and removes redness.
My father had life-long acne problems which I probably inherited. When he was in his 80s-90s he was treated for years for prostate cancer with hormone therapy. His skin became as clear and smooth as a baby's.

15 years ago

shana

Veteran

I would also think that a retinoid product would be very beneficial. I actually don't have acne but have other skin issues and have done quite a bit of research on retinoids (did most of this well over a year ago so the details are kind of fuzzy for me at this point). I know it is supposed to be great for those with acne and oily skin and in preventing wrinkles. Like Christie said, it aids in skin turnover. Anyway, I would suggest doing some good research on retinoids - seeing a dermatologist might be your best bet. And be very careful about sun exposure when using a retinoid - most people only use it at night and you have to be especially diligent about your sunscreen use because it does make you more sensitive to the sun.

I actually ended up buying Avene's Ystheal cream (which contains retinaldehyde) when I was in Europe in December. It is also available online in the U.S. through websites such as drugstore.com. I haven't used it yet though. I have very sensitive skin and I have read that retinoids can cause shedding and other adverse skin reactions during initial use so I have been procrastinating because I am afraid of how my skin might react. I've sort of been waiting for a week when I don't have anything going on just in case I get some kind of freaky reaction.

I don't think that the regular OTC stuff like Philosophy or ROC contain enough retinoid to make a big impact. Obagi has a retinoid product but it's pretty expensive. I seem to recall that there is some legal restriction in terms of what you can get without a prescription - hence my decision to go with a European product.

15 years ago

Elika

Active Member

Hi Cedar!
I too believe that, unfortunately, no cream will have enough of an impact to really reduce scars, although they can be very beneficial your skin.

What I would advice you to look for is a clinic or health center in your area that practices Endermology; a type of in-depth tissue massage that improves the structure of the skin. Two years ago, I had a scarred, blotchy, red-patched forehead and thought I had to either have laser therapy or live with it. But after undegoing endermology treatments for a few months, I now have normal skin!

I'm European, so I don't know about the situation in the US, but for me the treatment was covered, and even if it hadn't been, it would have been cheap enough to pay for myself (being a student) and absolutely worth it.

Either way, I can totally relate to the frustrations of having problematic skin, and I wish you lots of luck with finding a solution!

15 years ago

rosee

Veteran

I too have oily sensitive skin and still occasionally break out (in my 40s). I have tried lots of products over the years and stick to only using a few b/c I react so much. I also have a few acne scars but they are more like pits rather then hyperpigmentation.

Alpha-hydroxy acids might be good to try, such as glycolic acid, and retinol /retinoid products. These will exfoliate the skin and help produce new skin. I have had good results with them. They will also make you more sensitive to the sun (as noted above). A good sunscreen that I use since it works for oily skin is MyChelle (medium to pricey, but I only use a little):

http://www.iherb.com/MyChelle-.....11076?at=0

I also have this product and have used it on scars in general but only so often on my face:

http://www.iherb.com/Derma-E-S...../6375?at=0

I know people who like it for use with hyperpigmentation scars, and they seem to have had improvement. The reviews on the seller's site are mixed though. It's made with onion skins and a certain ingredient in them helps reduce scarring for some reason.

(If you want to try these products, you can use the code "RUG268" to get a small discount at iherb. You can also check out natural product retailers in your area.)

Above, Accutane was recommended, but DO speak with your doctor. Some people have good results on it. I can't say that I have. It did clear up my skin a little each time I was on it, but problems returned when I went off. I didn't have really bad acne to begin with, so the super-strength med wasn't really necessary. It did very little to improve my scars though. I also had health problems as a result, including very bad depression. Try something else first, and use this only as a last resort.

13 years ago

Lisalou

Active Member

Can you see a dermatologist? If you have insurance it is often covered, and acne is often considered a medical condition (not cosmetic, which wouldn't be covered by insurance).

PPs are right--there isn't a cream that's going to do much in the way of getting rid of pitted or raised acne scars. You'll need some sort of laser work to do that (Fraxel is good for resurfacing).

If you're talking about hyperpigmentation spots--those dark spots that appear after a pimple heals--creams can help. Definitely go for a retinoid (prescription is best/most powerful--Retin A Micro, Differin...), and a derm can discuss lightening ingredients (hydroquinone is one--lots of controversy over it, but derms still consider it the gold standard). The Philosophy product that others mentioned is a good OTC retinol option.

I don't think Accutane will do much for acne scarring--it's *great* for getting severe acne under control (as others have noted, it comes with a zillion potential side effects), but it can't heal scars from the inside, if that makes sense.

In terms of price, I would say skimp on the cleanser/moisturizer with SPF (Cetaphil, Aveeno are good drugstore brands that have great noncomedogenic options), and spend your money on a solid treatment product and/or derm appointment--the treatment products are what really do the heavy lifting. (I research and write about this stuff for a living, so I have some working knowledge! )

13 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I struggled with cystic acne and chicken pox scars on my face. Oil cleansing really, really decreased the oil in my skin and I hardly ever get a cystic breakout anymore. I also like Mama Lotion (now called M2 Skin Refinish for clarity purposes) for the scarring. For me, it really helped even out the skin tone and decrease how noticeable the scars are (mine are pitted, too):
http://mamalotion.com/before-and-after.html

A bottle is about $30 on Ebay, but that lasts me about an entire year, because I use less than a pea sized amount for my whole face.

13 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

There are a lot of interesting chemical solutions on this page; one of the things I've found that worked really well is changing your pillow case every 3 days.

Seriously. Face grease/hair grease = eww.

13 years ago

marilynn

Member

give this a try. Metaderm scar lightening cream. it worked on my scars so iguess it'll work on you too. keep your head up and be confident. they will be gone soon. btw, you can check out the cream in their website. you can also order from there.

13 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I bought strivectin SD more for aging skin than anything but my partner also bought it for his daughter who is 15 and has nasty stretch marks. The product was developed for scars and stretch marks but works well on wrinkles too. Go figure.

Anyway, back to point. After a few months, he said the marks on her skin were far less noticeable so they gave it a thumbs up. You can get it at amazon for about $70 for a very large tube. I've been using mine for 6 months and may need a new one in another month or two.

13 years ago

Ruby Jackson

Active Member

Treatment for acne scars depends on whether the scars are raised or depressed. For depressed acne scars, treatments can include acne scar surgery, laser skin resurfacing, fillers, chemical peels, dermabrasion, and microdermabrasion. Treatments for raised acne scars can include injections of corticosteroids or interferon to help shrink or soften the scars. If you are considering a wrinkle creams or treatment, you should consult a dermatologist about which one is right for you.

9 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

Stieva-A tretoin cream (prescription).

9 years ago

Anonymous

My daughter suffers from acne on her back and her face. Actually her back is worse. She found Mario Badescu online and they are also sold at Ulta. The stuff is amazing and not everything is pricey plus it lasts a long time. I am now using some of their products and am loving them.

When you order online you can also get samples to try. That is how DD found products that work for her. Right now she is using their glycolic toner and I think the O lotion (not sure if I got that right) and her skin has been completely clear except for the occasional hormonal zit or two. There are other products she uses especially in her back and her back is now completely clear except for some dark spots for which she is using their glycolic lotion. It will take a while before they fade but she is taking it one step at a time.

9 years ago

LarainaStevens

Member

I had about 11 dark blemishes as I have extremely sensitive skin and dermalmd blemish serum has cleared them up nicely. I've been using dermalmd serum for about a week and a half.

7 years ago

Lisa Rayes

(website)

Active Member

Lemon juice is an excellent skin lightening agent. It is the acid in lemon juice that helps brighten your skin and make the scars less visible. It can, in fact, fade away freckles and lighten the dark scars faster.

Take a fresh lemon and squeeze out its juice. Apply this juice directly on your scars with finger tips or a cotton ball, leave it for ten minutes and wash it off with water. Do this once a day for two to three weeks during which you can see your scars diminish considerably. If you want, you can also mix honey with your lemon juice to make it some more effective in reducing the acne scars.
If your skin is very sensitive, diliute lemon juice by mixing some rose water and then apply on your scars.
You can even mix a teaspoon of lemon juice with two teaspoons of Vitamin E oil and then apply this to your acne scars. Vitamin E is a very good emollient with a lots of antioxidants that protects and even improves your skin texture.

7 years ago

Amy Isabella

Veteran

Decleor Aroma Solutions Prolagene Gel is amazing.

7 years ago

ClaraT

Veteran

You can try topical treatments until the cows come home. Maybe one will work, and certainly as years pass the scars will fade. However, laser treatment (CO2 or Fraxel laser I think) is considered the gold standard for reducing scars. Topical treatments can be pricey, too, especially if they don't work and you keep trying different ones. Seriously, talk to a dermatologist. If treatments are too expensive for you, be firm and open about that. Often there is a payment plan option (e.g. can you afford $25 a month?) or specials when they train someone. Ask for their help in making it affordable and you may be surprised. Or just ask which over-the-counter treatments s/he recommnends.

7 years ago

VeronicaFigeroa

Member

I've been using dermalmd scar serum for acne scars on my face that I've had for 7 or more years. I've used it 5 times before bed so far and my scars have reduced dramatically (like 60%). Nothing has ever worked like this serum before. HIGHLY recommended!!

7 years ago

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