Prevent Acne Scars

After their acne has gone, many people are left with scarring. This can be very slight scarring which will disappear over time, or in the worst cases can be deep valleys in the affected areas. This can be very bad for the sufferer's self-confidence, and can badly affect their lives. There are several ways to minimise the scarring, and some of these will be covered here.

Firstly, avoiding episodes of acne is the best way of avoiding acne scars. There are no guaranteed ways to prevent acne but following some basic steps can make a positive difference. For many people, using the right acne treatment can make a huge difference to how bad their acne is. Many of them get good results from over-the counter treatments.

There is a large choice of over-the-counter treatments for acne. Most people tend to choose their over-the-counter acne treatment based on personal recommendations from people who they know. It's better to consult a doctor or dermatologist for advice about the best treatment to use, as the longer you have acne which doesn't respond to treatment, the greater your chances are of scarring.

One of the most effective acne treatments for many people is benzoyl peroxide. It most often comes in the form of a cream or gel. It attacks the P.acnes bacteria which are involved in the formation of acne. Benzoyl peroxide is safe to use for most people (however, pregnant women should avoid its use if the product also contains salicylic acid) and has been around for a long time. It has very few problems associated with its use, the only significant side effect being dry skin.

Acne treatments can also contain salicylic acid. Salicylic acid should be avoided by pregnant women, as it can harm the unborn child. It acts on the acne by reducing the numbers of dead skin cells which clog the pores and result in breakouts. Salicylic acid can also be used to prevent future outbreaks of acne after the skin has cleared up. There are few side effects apart from dry and irritated skin.

Other over-the-counter acne treatments which are popular contain sulphur or resorcinol. These may be found individually or combined in some products. One point worth noting is that products containing sulphur don't tend to smell very nice.

When first using a new acne treatment, it's a good idea to try the treatment on a small area of the skin prior to applying it all over. If the treatment is going to cause irritation it will then be limited to a smaller area.

If your acne fails to respond to the over-the-counter treatment, you may need to see your dermatologist or doctor for a prescription acne treatment.