How to Remove Acne Scars With Ice
Many people experience acne at some point during their lives, and for some people the acne leaves scars even after it has cleared up 1. This can be the result of cysts that formed under the skin or when the collagen beneath the surface of skin has been damaged due to inflammation. When located on the face, the scars are often more noticeable and usually more embarrassing. There are methods to help rid yourself of acne scarring with professional help from a dermatologist, but there are also at-home methods that may produce the desired results.
Wrap a few ice cubes with a wash cloth. Avoid using the ice directly on your skin so that you do not damage the skin from frostbite.
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Rub the acne-scarred area of your skin with the ice for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help contract the skin and tighten the pores. This treatment works best for atrophic and hypertrophic scarring, which are at or right below the surface of the skin. If your acne scars are "ice pick" scars (deep scars with steep edges), this process will not have much effect.
Repeat every day for 10 to 15 minutes. Consistent use should help reduce inflammation. The ice will not actually remove the scars, but this treatment will help in reducing redness and improving the appearance of the scar.
Tips
Apply lemon juice, vitamin E and oil of lavender to the scarred skin for added benefit.
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References
- DermaNetwork: Acne Scars and Acne Scarring
- Fat Free Kitchen: Get Rid off Acne Scars
- Blissplan: 8 Ways To Remove Acne Scars
- Fabbrocini, G, Annunziata, MC, D'Arco, V, et al. Acne scars: pathogenesis, classification and treatment. Dermatol Res Pract. 2010;2010:893080. doi:10.1155/2010/893080
- Kravvas G, Al-niaimi F. A systematic review of treatments for acne scarring. Part 1: Non-energy-based techniques. Scars Burn Heal. 2017;3:2059513117695312. doi:10.1177/2059513117695312
- Gozali MV, Zhou B. Effective treatments of atrophic acne scars. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(5):33-40.
- Wollina U, Goldman A. Fillers for the improvement in acne scars. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:493-9. doi:10.2147/CCID.S86478
- Kravvas G, Al-niaimi F. A systematic review of treatments for acne scarring. Part 2: Energy-based techniques. Scars Burn Heal. 2018;4:2059513118793420. doi:10.1177/2059513118793420
- Ogawa R. Keloid and hypertrophic scars are the result of chronic inflammation in the reticular dermis. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(3). doi:10.3390/ijms18030606
- Rabello FB, Souza CD, Farina júnior JA. Update on hypertrophic scar treatment. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2014;69(8):565-73. doi:10.6061/clinics/2014(08)11
- França K, Keri J. Psychosocial impact of acne and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(4):505-509. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175645
- Tosti, A, De Padova, MP, Beer, KR, eds. Acne Scars: Classification and Treatment. London: Informa UK Ltd.; 2010.
Writer Bio
Chris Callaway started writing professionally in 2007 and has worked as sports editor, managing editor and senior editor of "The Racquet" as well as written for the "La Crosse Tribune" and other newspapers in western Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a Bachelor of Arts in English and communications.