How to deal with acne scars

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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 OilLancôme Gel Eclat Clarifying Cleanser

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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

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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?

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