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Wednesday, March 2. 2011
How to get rid of acne scars naturally?
By: A.David Rahimi,MD,FAAD,FAACS (www.foreveryoung.net)
I recently came across an article on howtogetridofstuff.com that addressed treating acne and acne scarring. The article started out sounding relatively reasonable, urging patients to see a dermatologist if they have “too many” acne scars, but then suggested the following remedies.
I will cover each suggestion and try to give you a more medical perspective. My comments with be highlighted at the end of each paragraph. The article is written by Marvin? – It is not clear what his medical qualifications are.
- Drink lots of water: Water has amazing cleansing and rejuvenating properties. Some experts believe that the best way to treat acne scars naturally is to drink lots of water. Dead skin cells are shed off easier when your body is hydrated with enough water. New skin also grows faster and smoother when you have lots of water in your body.
I spend over 15 minute on pubmed.gov looking for even a single article that definitively shows drinking water affects acne or acne scarring. Pubmed.gov is the definitive research source and has every scientific article written in over 40 languages since the 1960s. It is free and can be accessed from any computer or library. Drinking lots of water” is going to do little you for your acne and certainly nothing for the scarring. Too much water can cause can cause a variety of problems from electrolyte imbalance to very rare cases of CNS injury. I agree that drinking water should be part of a healthy diet but it won’t do much for your acne scarring.
- Eat fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables contain lots of vitamins and minerals that can help your skin restore its former beauty. They also contain juices which keep your body hydrated every day. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables to make your skin grow healthier and heal acne scars.
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is healthy but will not heal your acne scars; period.
- Load up on lemon juice: Lemon juice is a kind of citric acid that's very effective in reducing or getting rid of acne scars. Drink several glasses of lemon juice each day to help your dead skin cells shed faster. New skin cells will also grow healthier and add elasticity to your skin if you load up on lemon juice.
Are they serious? Drinking several glasses of lemon juice will cause a big hole in your stomach and may seriously interfere with absorption of naturally occurring nutrients and vitamins. Once again-no scientific basis for this at all.
- Eat fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables contain lots of vitamins and minerals that can help your skin restore its former beauty. They also contain juices which keep your body hydrated every day. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables to make your skin grow healthier and heal acne scars.
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is healthy but will not heal your acne scars; period.
- Load up on lemon juice: Lemon juice is a kind of citric acid that's very effective in reducing or getting rid of acne scars. Drink several glasses of lemon juice each day to help your dead skin cells shed faster. New skin cells will also grow healthier and add elasticity to your skin if you load up on lemon juice.
Are they serious? Drinking several glasses of lemon juice will cause a big hole in your stomach and may seriously interfere with absorption of naturally occurring nutrients and vitamins. Once again-no scientific basis for this at all.
- Maintain a balanced and nutritious diet: You can't simply get rid of acne scars by applying natural substances on your skin. A large part of the healing process consists of maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet that aids in the growth of new, healthy skin. Also, eating a healthy diet gives you the essential nutrients that you need to fight against infections and other types of diseases that might complicate your acne scars. Make sure to include tofu, chicken, soy, and fish in your diet as these foods are rich in protein which aids in the healing of your skin.
Sound advice- but won’t help with acne or scarring.
- Try rosehip seed oil: Another amazing home remedy against acne scars is rosehip seed oil. The oil has anti-aging properties that reduce wrinkles, rejuvenate the skin, and bring back its original color. Rosehip seed oil is widely used in commercial cosmetic products that are used to treat burn marks, premature aging, sun damage, surgical scars, facial scars and acne scars. Purchase rosehip seed oil from a department store near you and massage it twice a day on areas of your face that have acne scars.
No scientific basis.
- Apply Aloe Vera gel or juice: Aloe Vera gel or juice helps get rid of acne scars and makes your facial skin healthier. There are many brands of aloe Vera gel or juice available on the market today. Read product reviews of each brand on the Internet to find out which one is the best. Read the instructions on the label carefully before applying on affected areas of your skin.
No scientific basis.
- Treat your scars with tomato: Tomato is rich in vitamin A, making it effective in stopping the overproduction of sebum that causes acne and acne scars. Tomato also has antioxidant properties that rejuvenate damaged skin. Slice up a tomato every day and place it over your face to quickly reduce your scars.
No scientific basis.
- Heal them with olive oil: Olive oil is truly a miracle substance. It does not only make your food taste better, it also improves the condition of your skin and reduces your acne scars. Massage the oil on affected parts of your skin every day. It has moisturizing properties that soften the texture of your skin and reduce the prominence of your acne scars. (Want to know more uses for olive oil, read 13 practical uses for olive oil).
Olive oil has shown to have some healing properties and can be very hydrating. In a patient with oily skin the application of olive oil can cause more acne and the occlusion of the pilosebaceous glands can trap bacteria and cause more inflammatory acne. Rubbing the olive oil on certain acne scars can improve them. Interestingly it is not the olive oil but the rubbing motion and massaging that stimulates collage synthesis and can lead to modest improvement of certain types of acne scars.
- Use honey: Honey is a sweet substance that brightens up your day but it can also brighten up your face. Massage honey on affected parts of your skin or take it orally to reduce your acne scars and make your skin look younger.
Pubmed.gov shows no article on beneficial effects of Honey and acne or acne scarring.
· Lather with lavender oil: Lavender oil is another natural substance that is widely used in many commercial cosmetic products. Apply lavender oil on your acne scars and gently massage your skin. The oil has regenerative properties that will make your skin look cleaner, fresher and younger.
Pubmed.gov shows no article on beneficial effects of Lavender and acne or acne scarring.
- Rose water and sandalwood: Make a paste of rose water and sandalwood and gently apply it on your acne scars. Leave the paste on your skin overnight then wash it with cold water the next morning. Do this regularly together with other natural treatments for acne scars to get rid of the scars as quickly as possible.
Pubmed.gov shows no article on beneficial effects of Rose Water and acne or acne scarring.
- Rub them with ice cubes: Lots of people use ice cubes to get rid of their acne scars at home. Wrap an ice cube in a piece of cloth and rub it on affected areas for 10 to 15 minutes every day. This should lessen the inflammation on your skin, making it look smoother.
Ice is anti-inflammatory and I do tell my patients to use it on both active acne and scarring. The use of Carbon dioxide slush in treating acne and acne scarring is also well documented. This is the first recommendation that I do like and has scientific merit.
- Make your own face mask: Mix one tablespoon of sour cream with one tablespoon of oatmeal and yogurt, then add a few drops of lemon juice. Apply the mixture on your acne scars and leave it there for about 10 minutes. Thoroughly rinse it off and pat it dry.
No scientific basis.
- Multani Mitti paste: Mix some garlic cloves, carrot juice, honey and Multani Mitti powder and turn the mixture into a paste. Apply it on your acne scars for 20 minutes every day to reduce the redness and swelling. You may combine this home remedy together with other natural treatments to get rid of the scars faster.
No scientific basis.
Here is a brief review of what is acceptable and effective when it comes to acne and acne scarring treatment.
Standard guidelines of care for acne surgery.
Mysore V, Savant S, Khunger N, Patwardhan N, Prasad D, Buddhadev R, Chatterjee M, Gupta S, Shetty MK, Krupashankar DS, Rao KH, Vedamurthy M, Oberai C, Lahiri K, Sachidanand S, Joshipura S.
Department of Dermatology, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India. drniti@rediffmail.com
Abstract
Acne surgery is the use of various surgical procedures for the treatment of post acne scarring and also, as adjuvant treatment for active acne. Surgery is indicated both in active acne and post-acne scars. PHYSICIANS' QUALIFICATIONS: Any Dermatologist can perform most acne surgery techniques as these are usually taught during postgraduation. However, certain techniques such as dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, scar revisions need specific "hands-on" training in appropriate training centers. FACILITY: Most acne surgery procedures can be performed in a physician's minor procedure room. However, full-face dermabrasion and laser resurfacing need an operation theatre in a hospital setting. ACTIVE ACNE: Surgical treatment is only an adjunct to medical therapy, which remains the mainstay of treatment. Comedone extraction is a process of applying simple mechanical pressure with a comedone extractor, to extract the contents of the blocked pilosebaceous follicle. Superficial chemical peel is a process of applying a chemical agent to the skin, so as to cause controlled destruction of the epidermis leading to exfoliation. Glycolic acid, salicylic acid and trichloroacetic acid are commonly used peeling agents for the treatment of active acne and superficial acne scars. CRYOTHERAPY: Cryoslush and cryopeel are used for the treatment of nodulocystic acne. Intralesional corticosteroids are indicated for the treatment of nodules, cysts and keloidal acne scars. Nonablative lasers and light therapy using Blue light, non ablative radiofrequency, Nd:YAG laser, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), PDT (Photodynamic Therapy), pulse dye laser and light and heat energy machines have been used in recent years for the treatment of active inflammatory acne and superficial acne scars. Proper counseling is very important in the treatment of acne scars. Treatment depends on the type of acne scars; a patient may need more than one type of treatment. Subcision is a treatment to break the fibrotic strands that tether the scar to the underlying subcutaneous tissue, and is useful for rolling scars. Punch excision techniques such as punch excision, elevation and replacement are useful for depressed scars such as ice pick and boxcar scars. TCA chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) (Level C) is useful for ice pick scars. Resurfacing techniques include ablative methods (such as dermabrasion and laser resurfacing), and nonablative methods such as microdermabrasion and nonablative lasers. Ablative methods cause significant postoperative changes in the skin, are associated with significant healing time and should be performed by dermatosurgeons trained and experienced in the procedure. Fillers are useful for depressed scars. Proper case selection is very important
I look amazing thanks to Dr. Rahimi , I have two daughters 36, 28 when I go shopping with them people actually think we are sisters. My self esteem is back and I do better at work . When I look in the mirror I don't see this tired person I used to see, instead I see this still young person who feels energetic and full of life.. Dr. Rahimi has made a big difference in my life, let him change your life and the way you feel about yourself ^___^ I recommend all my friends !!!
Posted by: Leticia alvarado 2011-03-15 20:18