Difference between revisions of "Treat Acne Scars with Aloe Vera"
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| − | Once an acne breakout clears up, you might be left with a nasty skin issue known as acne scars. The acne scars are often deeply rooted in the skin and hence become difficult to treat unless they are managed early on.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/basics/definition/con-20020580</ref> Aloe has been shown to significantly heal skin lesions caused by acne when used regularly to treat outbreaks.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23336746</ref> This is due to aloe's anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/aloe/background/hrb-20058665</ref> How you prepare aloe vera will depend on your overall skin condition. Using aloe vera correctly, in conjunction with a larger acne treatment plan, can help you reduce the visibility of scars and feel more confident in your skin. | + | Once an acne breakout clears up, you might be left with a nasty skin issue known as acne scars. The acne scars are often deeply rooted in the skin and hence become difficult to treat unless they are managed early on.<ref name="rf1">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/basics/definition/con-20020580</ref> Aloe has been shown to significantly heal skin lesions caused by acne when used regularly to treat outbreaks.<ref name="rf2">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23336746</ref> This is due to aloe's anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin.<ref name="rf3">http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/aloe/background/hrb-20058665</ref> How you prepare aloe vera will depend on your overall skin condition. Using aloe vera correctly, in conjunction with a larger acne treatment plan, can help you reduce the visibility of scars and feel more confident in your skin. |
[[Category:Acne Treatments]] | [[Category:Acne Treatments]] | ||
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Using Aloe on Oily Skin=== | ===Using Aloe on Oily Skin=== | ||
| − | #Boil an aloe leaf. The best way to use fresh aloe is by turning it into a paste. To do this, you'll need to soften the leaf.<ref>http://www.med-health.net/Aloe-Vera-For-Skin.html</ref> | + | #Boil an aloe leaf. The best way to use fresh aloe is by turning it into a paste. To do this, you'll need to soften the leaf.<ref name="rf4">http://www.med-health.net/Aloe-Vera-For-Skin.html</ref> |
#* Fill a pot with enough water to cover an aloe leaf. | #* Fill a pot with enough water to cover an aloe leaf. | ||
#* Boil until the leaf is soft and squishy. | #* Boil until the leaf is soft and squishy. | ||
#* Remove the aloe leaf with tongs and run it under cold water to cool the leaf down to room temperature. | #* Remove the aloe leaf with tongs and run it under cold water to cool the leaf down to room temperature. | ||
#Grind the aloe up. Now that the leaf is soft and pliable, you'll need to grind the aloe so you can form a paste. If you have a mortar and pestle, you can use it for this. If not, you can simply mash the boiled leaf using the back of a spoon. | #Grind the aloe up. Now that the leaf is soft and pliable, you'll need to grind the aloe so you can form a paste. If you have a mortar and pestle, you can use it for this. If not, you can simply mash the boiled leaf using the back of a spoon. | ||
| − | #* Work the softened aloe leaf until it forms a thick, viscous paste.<ref | + | #* Work the softened aloe leaf until it forms a thick, viscous paste.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #Add honey. Honey is a useful substance for treating a number of skin conditions, including acne. That's because honey is believed to have antibacterial properties, and may be useful in healing open wounds like acne scars.<ref>http://www.newhealthguide.org/Honey-For-Face.html</ref> | + | #Add honey. Honey is a useful substance for treating a number of skin conditions, including acne. That's because honey is believed to have antibacterial properties, and may be useful in healing open wounds like acne scars.<ref name="rf5">http://www.newhealthguide.org/Honey-For-Face.html</ref> |
| − | #* Add just a few drops of honey to the paste. You won't need much, but adding too much honey won't hurt. Be aware that honey may make your face a little stickier than you'd like, so consider how much honey you are comfortable using (if any).<ref | + | #* Add just a few drops of honey to the paste. You won't need much, but adding too much honey won't hurt. Be aware that honey may make your face a little stickier than you'd like, so consider how much honey you are comfortable using (if any).<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #Work the mixture into a paste. The mashed aloe should provide texture, and the added honey may help the mixture congeal into a workable paste. If it is too runny, you can add a pinch of flour to thicken it up a bit more.<ref | + | #Work the mixture into a paste. The mashed aloe should provide texture, and the added honey may help the mixture congeal into a workable paste. If it is too runny, you can add a pinch of flour to thicken it up a bit more.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #Apply to skin. Spread the paste evenly across your face, focusing on areas with the most acne and scars. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water. Repeat once every week to help soothe acne and heal acne wounds before they scar.<ref | + | #Apply to skin. Spread the paste evenly across your face, focusing on areas with the most acne and scars. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water. Repeat once every week to help soothe acne and heal acne wounds before they scar.<ref name="rf4" /> |
===Applying Aloe on Dry Skin=== | ===Applying Aloe on Dry Skin=== | ||
| − | #Decide which aloe to use. You can use store-bought aloe vera gel, or boil your own aloe leaf to form a paste. If boiling, be sure to allow the leaf to cool before applying it to your face.<ref | + | #Decide which aloe to use. You can use store-bought aloe vera gel, or boil your own aloe leaf to form a paste. If boiling, be sure to allow the leaf to cool before applying it to your face.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #Mix in shea butter and olive oil. Shea butter will help thicken the aloe into a workable paste, and olive oil will help provide additional moisture for dry skin.<ref | + | #Mix in shea butter and olive oil. Shea butter will help thicken the aloe into a workable paste, and olive oil will help provide additional moisture for dry skin.<ref name="rf4" /> Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly blended into a thick paste. |
| − | #* Shea butter is shown to have anti-inflammatory properties when applied to skin wounds.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20484832</ref> | + | #* Shea butter is shown to have anti-inflammatory properties when applied to skin wounds.<ref name="rf6">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20484832</ref> |
| − | #* Olive oil helps moisturize dry skin. It can also help coat minor skin wounds and may speed up the healing process by locking in moisture.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-hannah-grufferman/olive-oil-health-benefits_b_945506.html</ref> | + | #* Olive oil helps moisturize dry skin. It can also help coat minor skin wounds and may speed up the healing process by locking in moisture.<ref name="rf7">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-hannah-grufferman/olive-oil-health-benefits_b_945506.html</ref> |
| − | #Apply the paste to your face. Spread the paste evenly over the face, focusing on areas that are particularly affected by acne and scarring. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, then rinse with cold water. Repeat as needed throughout the week to help treat acne wounds and lock in moisture.<ref | + | #Apply the paste to your face. Spread the paste evenly over the face, focusing on areas that are particularly affected by acne and scarring. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, then rinse with cold water. Repeat as needed throughout the week to help treat acne wounds and lock in moisture.<ref name="rf4" /> |
===Treating Sensitive Skin with Aloe=== | ===Treating Sensitive Skin with Aloe=== | ||
| − | #Choose your aloe form. You can use aloe vera gel from a store, or make your own paste by boiling an aloe leaf. If you decide to make your own, be sure to let the leaf adequately cool before applying it to your skin.<ref>http://www.newhealthguide.org/Aloe-Vera-For-Face.html</ref> | + | #Choose your aloe form. You can use aloe vera gel from a store, or make your own paste by boiling an aloe leaf. If you decide to make your own, be sure to let the leaf adequately cool before applying it to your skin.<ref name="rf8">http://www.newhealthguide.org/Aloe-Vera-For-Face.html</ref> |
| − | #Add yogurt and cucumber juice. Once you've gotten a workable paste out of the aloe leaf, or poured out enough aloe vera gel from a bottle, stir in one or two spoonfuls of yogurt and a few drops of cucumber juice.<ref | + | #Add yogurt and cucumber juice. Once you've gotten a workable paste out of the aloe leaf, or poured out enough aloe vera gel from a bottle, stir in one or two spoonfuls of yogurt and a few drops of cucumber juice.<ref name="rf8" /> |
| − | #* The lactic acid in yogurt is believed to have soothing properties for sensitive skin. It is also thought to tighten pores and reduce the chances of bacterial infection on the skin, which can help prevent future acne outbreaks.<ref>http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/yogurt.shtml</ref> | + | #* The lactic acid in yogurt is believed to have soothing properties for sensitive skin. It is also thought to tighten pores and reduce the chances of bacterial infection on the skin, which can help prevent future acne outbreaks.<ref name="rf9">http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/yogurt.shtml</ref> |
| − | #* Cucumber is thought to have soothing and cleansing properties when applied to the skin.<ref>http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/cucumber_benefits.shtml</ref> | + | #* Cucumber is thought to have soothing and cleansing properties when applied to the skin.<ref name="rf10">http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/cucumber_benefits.shtml</ref> |
| − | #Apply to skin. Work the ingredients into a well-mixed paste and apply evenly across the face, focusing on problem areas marked with acne and scars. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water. Repeat as necessary throughout the week.<ref | + | #Apply to skin. Work the ingredients into a well-mixed paste and apply evenly across the face, focusing on problem areas marked with acne and scars. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water. Repeat as necessary throughout the week.<ref name="rf8" /> |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
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*You may experience some skin irritation due to the application of aloe vera in large amounts. Before applying aloe vera on acne scars you should first test it on other parts of your other skin. Discontinue use of aloe if the irritation worsens. | *You may experience some skin irritation due to the application of aloe vera in large amounts. Before applying aloe vera on acne scars you should first test it on other parts of your other skin. Discontinue use of aloe if the irritation worsens. | ||
*Do not ingest aloe vera. | *Do not ingest aloe vera. | ||
| − | *Do not use aloe vera if you are allergic to aloe or other members of the ''Liliaceae'' family, which includes garlic, onions, and tulips.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/aloe/safety/hrb-20058665</ref> | + | *Do not use aloe vera if you are allergic to aloe or other members of the ''Liliaceae'' family, which includes garlic, onions, and tulips.<ref name="rf11">http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/aloe/safety/hrb-20058665</ref> |
==Sources and Citations== | ==Sources and Citations== | ||
