How to Deal With Acne Scars

As if suffering from acne and blemishes wasn’t frustrating enough, the scarring they can leave behind is just the icing on the cake.

While it can be tricky to get rid of scars completely, there are things you can do to prevent them and help them to fade away. Follow our step-by-step guide to dealing with acne scars.

PREVENTION IS KEY

The first step in dealing with acne scars is to try to prevent more blemishes from forming in the first place. Get your hands on a foaming cleanser as they’re best for lifting away the excess grease and grime that causes breakouts. Also, use a clarifying oil religiously to help clear, calm and hydrate your skin, and consider taking acne control tablets to keep your complexion in check.

bh loves: Mary Kay Clarifying Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin, Thursday Plantation Clarifying Oil, Lancôme Gel Eclat Clarifying Cleanser

TREAT IT RIGHT

When you feel a pimple start to form, apply a spot treatment – stat. Specifically formulated to target blemishes, these creams or gels contain active ingredients that help to kill the bacteria inside the pimple, reduce inflammation, and shorten the life of that pesky blemish.

Before you go dabbing your spot treatment everywhere, it’s important to not do so with your fingers, as they can spread pimple-causing bacteria to other areas of your face. Instead, pop a small amount of treatment onto the tip of a cotton bud and gently apply it over any spots. Do this morning and night after cleansing and moisturising and watch it work its magic over the next couple of days.

bh loves: Burt’s Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Targeted Spot Treatment, Nutrimetics Clear Spot Correcting Gel

RELATED: The best way to pop a pimple

FADE, FADE AWAY

While some scars simply fade over time, others stick around. These ones tend to look pink or red, and can be raised or dented in appearance. Invest in a treatment that’s formulated to fade acne scars. They’re usually rich in vitamin A and E to help boost healing within the skin, or have a lightening effect on the skin to improve the colour of the scar.

If topical treatments don’t seem to be working for you or your scarring is excessive, it’s worth considering a laser treatment like Fraxel Re:store. It uses a non-ablative fractional laser system to target scars and renew and resurface the skin for a more even skin tone. The best bit? You’ll see results in one to three treatments – win!

bh loves: Alpha-H Vitamin A + E 50/50, Jurlique Purely White Spot Treatment

HIDE AND SEEK

All hail the vanishing powers of concealer! Rather than slapping on your regular concealer, pick up a concealing palette with a couple of different hues, including green and yellow to counteract redness. Blend it into your scars and blemishes using a concealer brush (remember: no fingers allowed!) and wash the brush afterwards to limit the spread of bacteria.

bh loves: Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer, Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup Corrective Colours Kit

Do you have acne scars? How do you minimise their appearance?

125 Member Comments

Miss19 12 Nov 2019 4:56 PM

Glycolic acid and salicylic acid are great for acne scars

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S-P 27 Aug 2019 9:21 PM

Great article, and I also enjoyed reading the comments.

aoperez 13 Nov 2018 12:56 AM

In my mid 20s I put on weight and had terrible acne - which in time gave me scars! It was horrifying and they took about 3 years to fade - but a tan and some make-up would help - and working out might give you quicker fade than I had!

Fefe 5 Jul 2018 12:56 PM

Great tips, thanks. Will pass on

robinwest55 26 May 2018 7:12 AM

I suffered from acne scars and it kinda made my face look like it still had acne when it really didn't. I searched for effective scar creams and gels before i bought anything because I didnt want to waste money and came across the best two sellers: Mederma Gel and Dr. Max Powers Scar Serum.

I bought both of them and tried each one separately for a month. The Mederma did not work for me, but the Dr. Max Powers Scar Serum worked for me - by the 2nd day i can already see that my scars are almost not there. So I started using it on my old scars and it hasn't disappointed me. I highly recommend it.

Simonja 11 Apr 2018 5:21 PM

I have acne scars on my chin and have even tried this expensive ointment that gets used on scars of burn victims. Didn't really help and I guess I'll have to bear the consequences now of my actions during teenage years

keyuri chavda 12 Mar 2018 9:26 PM

Use tea tree face wash by Nyassa which is easily available online. Refresh and clean your face with Nyassa Tea Tree Oil Face Wash, This SLS, SLES and Paraben free (free from harsh chemicals) face wash is extremely gentle on your skin every time you use it. It cleanses your skin and clears clogged pores without snatching away the natural moisture. This must-have face care product is perfect for normal to oily skin types. The Tea Tree Extracts with its strong cleansing properties is apt for oily skin. It banishes acne and blemishes by keeping your skin clean.

Sweety7 2 Feb 2018 12:27 PM

Some great tips and product recommendations.

Shop A Everyday 25 Jan 2018 2:13 AM

Healing serums, then a good concealer

Shop A Everyday 4 Jan 2018 8:00 PM

The scars get bad when I keep getting pimples in the same spot - always on my shin

jadirava 14 Sep 2017 10:28 AM

I faced acne severe acne and i diid not get the right product initially.If i get it early enough i would have the cleared skin very back.but nothing loss my scars started faded away.80%went off and keep on using.Thanks for the dermalmd serum.

Miss19 28 Jul 2017 12:25 PM

Ive been using prescription strength Vitamin A cream to help with my acne and scars

AP1992 24 Apr 2017 8:50 PM

Great article. Thanks for the advice

Shop A Everyday 2 Jan 2017 2:44 AM

So annoying when they are there and more pimples appear right on top of the scars

taurusgirl79 16 Nov 2016 1:04 AM

I've always buy bleach cream or soap to get rid of acne scars.

Shop A Everyday 27 Sep 2016 10:53 PM

They go through all sorts of phases, and terrible when you keep getting pimples in the same spots

sophie790 30 Jun 2016 5:22 PM

Interesting Information. Also you can use Zeroblem. It is useful for get rid of acne and acne scars. It is a dermatological tested spot treatment designed product to clear up breakouts quickly by intensively targeting and healing unsightly. One can also try this to get best results.

ellie342 17 Sep 2016 6:20 PM

Does it work well?

Beautybabe140194 17 Apr 2016 7:19 PM

Very helpful tips. I find when I exercise my skin is usually in better condition.

Hayley644 17 Apr 2016 9:18 AM

Great tips, I have a few tiny scars.

Yohanna 16 Apr 2016 6:32 PM

I am not sure if I have

maydayismyday 16 Apr 2016 5:20 PM

I had a small amount of acne scarring from my teens that disappeared over time thankfully! Fraxel sounds interesting and would definitely be something I'd look into if needed.

ellie342 17 Sep 2016 6:21 PM

Do they disappear overtime fro everyone?

Yohanna 16 Apr 2016 6:36 PM

When I get some more cash to waste, then Fraxel is the one to try. Or some similar treatment. Love the sound of it

Arty Girl 16 Apr 2016 4:50 PM

My teen acne left me with indents. The colour of the scars have faded over time but if you look closely, you'll notice them. I use a good foundation to conceal my scars which helps a lot !!!

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