According to AmericanChronicle, post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation (HPI) is the body's natural healing process for all types of skin breakages, including acne. PIH will take place in a new scar for up to two years after the initial incident or acne outbreak. A scar will never completely dissolve as hair follicles and sweat glands will not return.
The two main types of acne scarring are raised and depressed scars. Raised scars---also known as keloids---is a growth of tissues at the site of the acne. Depressed scars are named after the shapes they create; ice pick, boxcar and rolling.
Step 1
Cook oatmeal in a pot with water as if to eat. Take off heat and allow to cool down before adding Manuka honey generously, stir. It is important to use an unprocessed honey like Manuka, which is available in health food stores, as this honey will not maintain its antimicrobial assets, which can accelerate the PIH process. Cut lemon. Squeeze juice into dish.
Step 2
Steam face. Be sure to place the bowl of hot water on a reliable supporting surface. When draping towel over your head and the bowl, be sure to fully enclose your face so as to get maximum effect. This will open your pores and soften skin to allow for a deeper cleansing.
Step 3
Dab cotton ball in lemon juice and then apply to acne scars. Be generous and drench the scarring in the juice. Lemon juice will cleanse the open pores of any bacteria and oil, while also using its natural bleaching effect to fade the scarred tissue. Rinse off with warm water.
Step 4
Apply oatmeal and honey mask. This can be left on for 30 minutes and then rinsed off or can be allowed to dry and left on overnight. The oatmeal helps make the honey more pliable as a face mask and acts as an exfoliate. Rinse off with cold water.
Step 5
Dry face gently, as skin will be sensitive. Apply an SPF moisturizer.
Tips and Warnings
- This routine can be completed daily for two to three weeks. Be sure to add honey after oatmeal has cooled, as heating the honey is thought to destroy its healing qualities. Dilute the lemon juice with water if skin is sensitive. Be gentle removing face mask and use cold water to close pores. The photo sensitivity of skin will be raised after using lemon juice, so counteract this with the SPF moisturizer.
- Even with the latest clinical procedures and prescription medicines, a scar will never completely dissipate. The effectiveness of acne scar home remedies is debatable and there is little scientific evidence to support claims of their effectiveness. Always speak with a doctor or specialist before beginning self-treatment with any home remedies.
Things You'll Need
- Cooking pot
- Oatmeal
- Manuka honey
- Lemon
- Knife
- Dish
- Bowl
- Towel
- Cotton balls
- Moisturizer
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