The dark spots, marks, and scars that acne leave in their wake can be as noticeable and embarrassing as the acne themselves.
Laser treatments and peels can be painful, expensive and time-consuming. Are there any at-home, affordable treatments for men? Actually, there are plenty of non-surgical, cost-effective and easy-to-use home methods of acne spot and dark-mark reduction. Here are a few:
Use Sunscreen
Sunscreen use is a no-brainer. Sunscreen reduces the risk of skin cancers, helps ward off premature skin aging and wrinkling. When it comes to acne scars, sunscreen is the first line of defense. Besides offering a bit of moisturizing, which is beneficial as well, using sunscreen prevents UV rays from darkening those marks and making them appear more prominent. Stick to an SPF 55 sunscreen for the most bang for your buck.
Exfoliate
Don’t worry, guys, exfoliating isn’t as scary as it sounds. With the simple addition of a Recovery Face Scrub, exfoliating won’t even disrupt your usual routine. Exfoliation helps to speed the healing and fading process by removing dead skin cells and allowing for faster turnover of new cells. A scrub can be harsh on your skin, so don’t do it every day; 3 times a week should be enough for most people; 4 times on oilier and over-tired skin. Need one more reason to exfoliate? Regular exfoliation can help prevent razor bumps and promote a closer shave!
Lighten Up With a Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C has been shown to lighten dark marks on the skin. Apply a vitamin C serum to the affected areas with your finger twice a day for best results. One word of advice, though; keep the serum away from the sun when applying it. Don’t expect results overnight; it can be a few weeks or months before you see any significant changes. Also, some larger scars may not fade despite your valiant efforts.
Stock Up on Vitamin E
Vitamin E has been touted for years as a treatment for reducing the appearance of scars. It's also a powerful antioxidant that may be effective at reducing UV damage in skin. Vitamin E Oil applied topically may help nourish and protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals. A little goes a long way, and it’s always wise to try a bit on an inconspicuous spot first to check for sensitivity.