The dark spots, marks and scars that pimples leave in their wake can be as noticeable and embarrassing as the pimples themselves. Women can use makeup to cover these marks, but what is a man to do?
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 pimple 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 pimple 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 30 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 MenScience Microfine 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. Exfoliating can be harsh on your skin, so don’t do it every day; 1-2 times a week should be enough for most people. Need one more reason to exfoliate? Regular exfoliation can help prevent razor bumps and promote a closer shave!
Lighten Up with Lemons
The vitamin C in lemons has been shown to lighten dark marks on skin. Apply pure lemon juice to the affected areas with a cotton swab daily for best results. One word of advice, though; keep the lemon juice away from your eyes or open skin! Don’t expect results overnight; it can be a few weeks or months before you see any significant changes. Also, some 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. You can buy either a bottle of the liquid vitamin E oil, or puncture and squeeze the oil from the gel-capsules you buy in the vitamin section of your pharmacy. A little goes a long way, and it’s always wise to try a bit on an inconspicuous spot first to check for sensitivity.