How to Relieve Redness & Peeling With Acne Scars
The amount of damage that an acne lesion does to the skin's layers will determine if a scar will develop. If damage is done to the lower layers, the dermis, it is likely that acne scarring will appear.
The amount of damage that an acne lesion does to the skin's layers will determine if a scar will develop. If damage is done to the lower layers, the dermis, it is likely that acne scarring will appear. Although acne scarring can take different forms, as noted by American Chronicle, redness of the skin and peeling are nearly always present. Natural remedies can help reduce the appearance of this skin damage and complement the body's natural healing processes.
Step 1
Treat your acne scarring redness with lemon juice. Dab a gauze pad in the juice, apply it to sore skin and leave it for 10 minutes before rinsing. Lemon juice acts as a natural bleach that will help fade redness in acne blemishes over time. It is also a cleanser and will help remove any bacteria, oils and dead skin cells present in order to prevent further acne.
Step 2
Apply ice cubes to reduce redness and swelling in your acne scars. Wrap the cubes in a cloth and apply it to the scars for five minutes twice daily. The intense cold will reduce blood flow to the area and calm the redness in the scars
Step 3
Apply unprocessed honey to the acne scarring, or to the whole face, to reduce the redness and peeling of the scars. Leave the honey on for 30 minutes. Honey cleanses the pores of bacteria and will remove dead skin cells, including those in the peeling skin. Its natural enzyme content helps the body's collagen processes to mend the wounds.
Step 4
Treat acne scarring redness and peeling with a Gotu Kola ointment. Simply apply the ointment and massage it in until it's absorbed. Found in the South Pacific, South Africa and Southeast Asia, Gotu Kola is an aquatic plant with reported medicinal qualities. It can raise antioxidant levels, which reduce acne flare-ups and redness and help in the growth of new, less-blemished skin.
Step 5
Cut a leaf at the trunk of an aloe vera plant. Slit open the leaf and drain off the yellow latex substance. Scrape out the gel from the middle of the leaf and apply it to the acne scars. Aloe vera is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties that sooth the skin. It's also reported to have healing qualities, which increase the growth of new skin cells.
Tip
Vinegar can be used instead of lemon juice. Use an unprocessed honey like Manuka from New Zealand. This honey retains its medicinal qualities and is well respected in some medical circles, notes DermNetNZ.
warning
Lemon juice increases photosensitivity. Applying natural remedies topically can cause skin irritation, so test the remedy on a small area of your skin first. Speak with your doctor before self-medicating. Despite the claims, there is little medical evidence to support the effectiveness of natural remedies in reducing acne scarring.