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Acne Skin Discoloration

Pragya T
After the zits are gone, do you have a shadow like scar on that skin region? Acne skin discoloration or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) affect men and women both and can last for a long time. There are certain home cures and medical treatments that help in clearing up these scars faster.
Acne affects people of all ages and background. At least once in a person's lifetime one has to go through this condition. Some have severe acne skin problem while some have mild bouts of acne. Acne is a complex skin condition and you will find different advice on curing acne.
There are many cures to acne and one which works for your friend, might not work for you. So, you will need to try out various cures for acne till you find a suitable one. One of the common problems associated with acne is the acne scarring.
There are different kinds of acne scars. Each type of scar needs a different approach. After the pimples are gone, many times you will get an acne scar. Acne scarring is a post-inflammatory pigmentation. Common type of acne scarring which causes discoloration of the skin is easy to get rid of. Let us look at the causes behind these scars and how to treat them.

Causes

Acne discoloration cause number one, is picking of the acne. So, avoid picking of the pimple or blackhead/whiteheads. Instead, find an OTC or dermatologist recommended acne gel/cream and apply it on the affected area to get rid of the zit.
Having patience while dealing with the pimples by avoiding touching it will help you prevent scars, and also further prevent infection on the skin. Another cause is severe acne occurrence. If you have too many pimples, then the chances of you getting any brown, red or black scars is even more.
If this is the case, then you need to fight the acne skin condition in different ways, so that it's severity decreases. Poor diet which lacks beneficial vitamins for acne can also contribute to hyper pigmentation. This increases the risk of getting acne scars and other related scars.
So, make yourself aware about these vitamins and include them in your food, to prevent discoloration of the skin.

Treatment

To maintain acne scar free skin, you will need to follow a healthy diet, exercise, detox and use the right acne products, and not to forget maintain a good skin care regime.
Instead of trying to buy expensive products in hope of finding the miracle cure to treat acne skin discoloration; focus on a proper skin care regime and healthy habits and within few months you will see the skin clearing up.
You can use various home acne scar remedies. Follow a diet rich in raw fruits and veggies. Drink 2-3 liters of water. Do cardio for 20-30 minutes everyday. Drink green tea and avoid caffeine or alcohol. Also, avoid stress as it only worsens acne. Use good dermatologist approved OTC products for skin care.
Keep washing your face regularly and keep it oil free and dust free. You can also use scrubs and face mask to make your complexion more clearer, or apply lemon juice or potato juice to the scars to reduce their intensity. But, if you feel the lemon juice or any other products are causing irritation, discontinue their use.
However, for those who have tried everything and have found nothing works for them, need to consult a skin specialist. Go to a good dermatologist and ask them all the doubts you have. The doctor will advise you a combination of special treatments. It can include multiple sessions of chemical peels, topical creams applications, and oral medications.
Oral medications are nothing but mostly multivitamins and multi minerals, topical creams are some antibacterial creams, while chemical peels peel off a thin layer of skin.