How to hide or fade scars from acne?

[Astrum]

I've had very severe acne since around the time I was 15 even with frequent visits to dermatologists and plenty of perscription acne medication. I've used pretty much every cream, pill, and soap with the exception of accutane (my parents thought the side effects were too great).

I'm a sophomore in college now and my acne has cleared up a lot. Infact with the exception of a recent flare up I am usually acne free. However I do have a lot of scarring on my face due to the acne. Here is a picture I have of myself (sorry for the size, it's rather large):

http://simla.colostate.edu/~starfigh/DSCF0062.JPG

It's not the best picture in the world but you can see the scarring. The other side of my face is slightly worse.

I'm currently using a product called Mederma Skin Care for Scars, it's a topical gel. I've been using it for quite a while and it has faded the scarring a little, but not quite as much as I had hoped. I was wondering if anyone knows any good ways to possibly hide, fade, or completely get rid of the scars left by the acne. Surgery or anything very expensive like that really isn't an option right now since I'm a poor college student , but perhaps there is a paticular product that works well for this kind of stuff?

Danke,
JH

 

[dollface007]

Well, i actually can't see any scars in your pic, but that my just be my monitor settings. This is going to sound like a commercial, but the only thing that has really helped fade old acne scars for me is the Proactiv Solution stuff that they sell on tv. My acne never really went away after my teen years, so i use it to keep that under control, but the surprising effect was that it really evened out my skin tone and faded my old scars. My skin is VERY soft from using it.

If you have deep pockmarks from cystic acne, i'm not sure if it will help, but if you just have blotches, it should work.

 

[SweetErika]

Unfortunately, this is a common problem. If the Proactive doesn't work, you can check out some dermatological/cosmetic procedures. Here are some good sites and articles:
http://www.acne.org/scars/
http://www.cosmeticsurgery-news.com/article1006.html
http://www.lasersurgery.com/facial_acne_scars.html
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/acnenet/jan01.html
Support Group- Lots of treatments including Vitamin E and cosmetic procedures

 

[Nemasis Enforcer]

Its not that bad

Hi,

I looked at your pic and must say I can only just see the scar's, I personally don't think its too bad.
Sorry to say this but I never had 1 spot during my early teen years and still don't but if I had the chance of looking like you with your minimal scar's or looking like me i'd pick you any day of the week.
I hope you get it sorted but personally I think the girls won't mind.

 

[watergirl]

hmm

Well, the side of your face is in shadow, but I see the red marks you're talking about. Don't worry too much - being self-concious and shy will hold you back more than any physical problem. Sounds like dollface might have a good idea.

shave your head, grow a beard? lol - you'll be fine, dude.

 

[SweetErika]

I didn't look at the pic before, but you're a good looking guy, scars inclusive! Watergirl is right about the self-conciousness holding you back. Focus on all of the positive things you have going for you (clearly there's a lot physically), then think about corrective measures.

 

[Topher]

Interesting collection of pics, dude, especially the titties one.

What happened to the phone? What is a "Shmee"? Was that purposive branding?

 

[NaiveOne]

Interesting collection of pics, dude, especially the titties one.

What happened to the phone? What is a "Shmee"? Was that purposive branding?

Wah?

 

[NaiveOne]

I've noticed that when I am tan, my scars (a few from acne and the rest from my clumsy-ness) seem to fade. It makes the scar or blemish appear more brown than bright red in contrast to pale skin. Tanning isn't that expensive- maybe $35.00 a month where I am.

However, it does have negative side effects, like skin damage. And with some acne medications you aren't supposed to be in the sun. So it's up to you.

For me, being tan (not leathery brown!) makes me look healthier- which makes me feel more confident.

But the above posters are right- you do look very handsome!

for you!

 

[Topher]

Naïve, check out the link in my post and you should understand.

 

[NaiveOne]

Naïve, check out the link in my post and you should understand.

Sorry, seems a little shady to me! Too scared, yep I am.

 

[Topher]

 

[Astrum]

Thanks for the suggetions. I'll definetely try out that Proactive stuff (I just checked out their website). Those treatments listed in the first link are extremely pricey, the support group link has a few topical products I might try out though.

I'm not really concerned with how I look, I attend a major university so I'm sure there is someone desperate enough to go out with me . In all seriousness though it's for myself, not anyone else. It sucks having to look at your ugly mug every morning .

Didn't think someone would look at the rest of the pictures on my website, hehe . I'm a Linux user and don't paticularly care for Windows and my friend had just downloaded a beta of Windows Longhorn; the resulting picture was meant to show me how cool Windows is . The phone was a result of a bad day and a bad phone call, but I just got a digital camera a few weeks ago so I decided to start taking pictures of everything, including my broken phone .

Shmee is a character from a comic book (Squee) written by Jhonen Vasquez, the author of the adult comic books Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and I Feel Sick, and the creator of the cartoon show Invader Zim. Shmee.jpg was a part of a page from Squee that was scanned and put on the internet (not by myself), as was SqueeB&W. SqueeV4.gif and AllDone.gif were my doing. I used Shmee.jpg and AllDone.gif in a tutorial on my technique for properly coloring in comic book sketches (including replacing line shading, saturation levels, cleaning up the initial graininess of paper, etc...). The intermediate steps used to be on my website but I took them down quite a while ago since it was worthless without the text (which is all saved on my home computer). The other one was just a larger, more complex example.

Anyway, sorry for the lengthy description. I tend to talk a lot about that since it's sort of my hobby .

PS - Yes that was an intentional scar that I cut myself (my initials). No comments on it though please. I didn't even realize it was still on my webpage.