Can Acne Scars Be Treated with a Facial?

No one likes acne, but at least it is temporary right? Not always. While acne goes away in time, the majority of people who have an acne outbreak will end up with some scarring.

Several medical treatments exist to treat or remove acne scars, but they are not only expensive but also costly.

With the rise of natural and alternative health options, some people have started using facials made with oatmeal, honey or lemon juice to remove acne scars. But do these facials really work?

Acne Scars Aren’t Always Scars

Do facials remove acne scars? Before answering this question, a look at the different types of scars acne leaves behind will be important.

The most common type of scars is flat dimples on the face, where the acne destroyed collagen.

Sometimes, especially on the torso, acne-affected areas develop keloid, or scar tissue, which forms flat white patches on the skin.

The type of scar that most people get isn’t actually a scar.

Often, acne leaves behind darker patches of skin.

This can range in color from pink to dark brown. Known medically as PIH (Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation), these discolored patches will usually fade on their own, though darker ones can last for over a year.

Facials May Help Some Kinds of Acne Scars

It is easy to find recipes for homemade facials that may treat acne scars.

Unfortunately how effective these facials are is uncertain, and may depend on what kind of scar you have.

PIH discolorations are the type of ‘scar’ most likely to be helped by facials.

The rejuvenating effect of a facial on the skin may help speed the fading of these marks.

Unfortunately, dimple scars are not likely to be helped by facials–no facial can restore the lost collagen or smooth the edges around the scar.

Keloid scars are an unknown. Lemon juice and honey are both popular home remedies for burn scars, which are also keloids.

It is possible that lemon juice or honey facials could also help keloid acne scars.

The science is still out on this one.

Even if facials will not help get rid of acne scars, they definitely will not hurt.

Many facials can also help prevent acne, and in this case, prevention may be better than a cure.

So if you want to try a facial to treat your acne scar, go ahead.

A spa day may be just what the doctor ordered.

The skincare professionals at a beauty therapy center, such as Sensational Skin Care, will have high-quality products for you to try, and tips for other home treatments.