Acne Scar Cover

Acne Scars

Reader Question

Dear Dana,

I have pimples that I have been trying to get rid of. .I try to use oil-free foundation then wash my face at night but it doesn’t help. I also have very dry skin. What kind of face wash and foundation should I use?

~~Thank you, Jaci

Expert Reply

Dear Jaci,

With your breakout issue, it’s a good idea to get on a regular skincare routine. Cleanse your face every evening with a product called Cetaphil; you can find this in any Rite Aid or CVS. Its light and wont clog your pores. Remove with a warm washcloth for best results. Next follow with an alcohol-free toner as too much alcohol will only make your skin produce more oil because it thinks that it’s dry from all that oil.

Lastly, follow with a light, oil-free moisturizer. In the morning, simply splash warm water on your face and pat dry. Follow with moisturizer then your foundation. You want to always choose foundation that is water-based. Your best bet is to choose a cream-to-powder foundation for oily skin. Also, try brushing cornstarch over you entire face to eliminate shine. Also, my experience with your type of problem tells me you might be touching your problem areas too often a habit many of us have and don’t even realize it. You may want to be more conscientious of it and see how it helps. For specific blemishes, use an over-the-counter acne controller that contains benzyl peroxide, triclosan or salicylic acid as active ingredients. Clearasil has a wide range of products both for rapid spot treatment and for everyday prevention.

~~Dana

Reader Question

Hi Dana,

I am 15 and I have really bad acne scars on my cheek. Can you please recommend what I should do? Are there any effective remedies?

~~Thank you, Dana so much, Anam

Expert Reply

Dear Anam,

According to kidshealth.org, if you have serious scarring from previous bouts with acne, there are some things you can do. One form of treatment is laser resurfacing, which can be done in the doctor's or dermatologist's office. The laser removes the damaged top layer of skin and tightens the middle layer, leaving skin smoother.

This can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. The doctor will try to lessen any pain by first numbing the skin with local anesthesia. It usually takes between 3 and 10 days for the skin to heal completely. Another method for treating acne scarring is dermabrasion, which uses a rotating wire brush or spinning diamond instrument to wear down the surface of the skin. As the skin heals, a new, smoother layer replaces the abraded skin. It may take a bit longer for skin to heal using dermabrasion — usually between 10 days and 3 weeks.

The newest form of treatment for acne scarring is called fractional laser therapy. This type of treatment works at a deeper level than laser resurfacing or dermabrasion, because fractional laser therapy doesn't wound the top layer of tissue, healing time is shorter. Fractional laser therapy is quite costly, and it's not usually covered by insurance. A person's acne will need to be under control before having any of these treatments.

~~Dana

Reader Question

Hi Dana

I have had pimples on my chin for about 1 year now! They start to go away and then they just come back again. Do you know how I could get them away? Also, I over-plucked my eyebrows and now I have started to grow them out again because they were to short and skinny before. How can I grow them out faster? Does Vaseline help them grow out?

~~Thanks, Julia

Expert Reply

Dear Julia,

With your breakout issue, it’s a good idea to get on a regular skincare routine. Cleanse your face every evening with a product called Cetaphil, you can find this in any Rite Aid or CVS. It’s light and won’t clog your pores. Remove with a warm washcloth for best results. Next follow with an alcohol-free toner as too much alcohol will only make your skin produce more oil because it thinks that it’s dry. Lastly, follow with a light, oil-free moisturizer. In the morning, simply splash warm water on your fact and pat dry. Follow with moisturizer then your foundation.

You want to always choose foundation that is water-based. Your best bet is a cream-to-powder foundation for oily skin. Also, try brushing cornstarch over your entire face to eliminate shine. Also, my experience with your type of problem tells me you might be touching your chin too often, a habit many of us have and don’t even realize it. You may want to be more conscientious of it and see how it helps. For specific blemishes, use an over-the-counter acne controller that contains benzoyl peroxide, triclosan or salicylic acid as active ingredients. Clearasil has a wide range of products both for rapid spot treatment and for everyday prevention.

As for your eyebrows, unfortunately, there is really nothing you can do to speed up their growth. However, in the meantime, use an eyebrow pencil or brow filler one shade lighter than your hair color to fill in the areas that are sparse using short brisk strokes. Follow by using an eyebrow comb/brush to blend. Here are a few tips on shaping your brows so you don’t have this problem again - one that all women have experienced at least once in their lives so you’re not alone!

• The space between your brows should be equal to, or a little wider than, your eyes.
• To find where your brow should go, take a long eye shadow brush or pencil and hold it parallel to the side of your nose. Where the brush meets your brow is where your brow should begin.
• To find the end of your brow, extend the brush diagonally from your nostril, following the outside edge of your eye toward the brow. Where the inside edge of the brush hits is where your brow should end.
• The best brows have a slight arch. To find yours, hold the brush parallel to the outside edge of the colored part of your eye (the iris). Where the brush meets the brow is where the highest part of your brow should be.

~~Dana

Reader Question

Dear Dana,

You recommended cornstarch to several women with very oily skin. I have extremely oily skin and would like to give this idea a try; however, I have not been able to find a cosmetic powder with cornstarch. I have found a baby powder with pure cornstarch, but it leaves my face white and smelling like a baby's bottom. Do you have a brand name recommendation?

~~Thank You, Kerri

Expert Reply

Dear Kerri,

You simply need to go to your local grocery store, find the baking aisle, and buy a box of Argo Cornstarch. It’s 100% pure with no other added ingredients. Put a few teaspoons in a small container which you can keep in your purse or in your makeup bag. Apply over your entire face with a powder brush.

One other alternative is a more commercial one. It is a makeup line called Cornsilk. It’s a little hard to find in stores these days but if you look online, there are a few places that still sell it. One is www.cosmteicssolutions.biz. Try the Cornsilk No Color Loose Powder or Matte Pressed Powder.

~~Dana

Reader Question

Hi Dana,

After wearing makeup for over two years my skin has become more acne ridden. I was just wondering if I should cut down on the amount of makeup I am using since I use it on a daily basis. Also are their any tips to help me disguise the redness?

~~Yasmin

Expert Reply

Dear Yasmin,

The first thing I would suggest is to see a dermatologist if you haven’t already done so. There are topical (applied to the skin) and internal medications such as oral antibiotics that work for some patients. Depending on the severity of your case, the doctor will prescribe the proper treatment. In the meantime, assuming you have a mild case of acne, let's take an assessment of how you are caring for your skin.

Are you cleansing at least twice a day? Are you going to sleep without washing the makeup off your face? To treat mild acne at home, start by gently washing the affected area(s) with warm water and a mild soap twice a day to remove dead skin cells and excess oil. Also, using a topical over-the-counter acne treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid will help to dry up what blemishes you have. One of the best over-the-counter cleansers is a product called Cetaphil. It is available in stores like Rite Aid and CVS and is a mild, non-irritating solution for problem skin.

You should also pick up some moisturizer. Eucerin has a wonderful one now that eliminates redness. Also, if you are using any brushes or sponges, be sure to keep them clean by washing them at least once a week with warm water and a little shampoo. Bacteria builds up in these applicators and can be causing your breakout.

As for makeup, always use a water-based formula if you are using liquid foundation. You may want to consider switching to a light powder for a week or so to avoid over clogging your pores and get your skin under control. Clinique has some very nice powder foundations and concealers. You could also try the new redness-reducing moisturizer. Almay is a less expensive alternative and is great for sensitive skin like yours. Their Clear Complexion Collection of oil-free makeup heals and conceals blemishes with a natural-looking finish. Each product works with salicylic acid, natural meadowsweet, and soothing aloe and chamomile that helps protect against dryness and reduces the appearance of redness. Good luck!

~~Dana

Reader Question

Dear Dana,

I am 18 years old. I want to know how can I get rid of blackheads over my nose?

~~Thank You, Nana

Expert Reply

Hi Nana,

About once a month, take some time out of your schedule to perform an "at-home" facial. Here are the steps:

• Wash face using a cleanser of your choice. An inexpensive winner is Cetaphil which is excellent for all skin types. Massage into face and remove with a wet wash cloth.
• Exfoliate--using a mild exfoliator (try mixing 1 tblsp of sugar and 1 tblsp of olive oil for a great at-home remedy). Rinse well with a warm wash cloth.
• Steam--fill your sink with warm water and place head under a towel. Steam for 15 minutes to open pores.
• Extract---cover your fingertips with tissue and gently remove blackheads by pressing on the outside of your pores. Wipe away residue.
• End by using a toner for closing pores and last apply a moisturizer.

If you do this at least once per month, you will see a vast improvement! Good luck! ~~Dana

Reader Question

Hi Eve. After years and years of acne, I'm left with facial redness and acne scars. When I use cover-up, I end up with a very caked-on look, which only draws more attention to the scars. Are there any tips for a more natural, scar concealing approach? Thank you! ~ Misty

Expert Reply

Hi Misty,

I completely understand your issue, since I've suffered with covering up my acne scars myself. The trick is not to use shades that are too light. There are several makeup lines which will work for the best cover up. Derma Color...which is the thickest and water resistant comes in a huge variety of shades. You can spot apply the concealer to where you need to cover up. My tip on applying the makeup would be to put your foundation on first...that’s right. First the foundation and then see where you need the extra coverage. Follow that with the concealer. Use a shade in the beige/yellow tone to cover up any red marks. If your have a hole/scar, I would recommend using a small synthetic brush to apply the concealer with, instead of your fingers or a sponge. This will ensure the concealer stays where you want it. Then blend the surrounding areas with the foundation already on your face. Make sure when your done, that your face and neck look the same color...and that at lease in some areas of your face, you can see some skin. When applying the foundation first, you can wet a sponge to make any cream foundation go on smooth and more sheer. Then, the concealer and the most important thing is to powder your face. Anytime you use creams on an area, I would suggest using loose powder to set it with. This will actually make it look more natural and make sure it does not move around. If you have a chance, take a look at my website and the colors I use as concealer and foundation.

Good luck. Eve

Reader Question

I have an area on my cheek bone that has six-seven pocket marks on it as well I have large pores. What makeup will cover this? I do not have breakouts. These marks are a result of my mother pinching on my face as a young girl so they are very old scars but visible.

~~Tabatha

Expert Reply

Dear Tabatha,

Start with concealer in a color close to your skin tone. Use a concealer brush to apply to scarred areas. Next, layer either a liquid or cream-to-powder foundation over your entire face to smooth out inconsistencies. Finish by dusting loose powder over your entire face. If regular concealer isn’t giving you the affect you want, try Dermablend’s cover stick which is very good for this type of coverage.

~~Dana