Dear Doctor
Acne red and scar are problem.
Dear Patient
Since you have acne, acne scars and dark acne marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), I recommend that you first get the acne under control before you start treating the scars because if you don’t you will keep developing new scars which will defeat the whole process.
Acne Treatment for Men
Develop a skin care regimen
Develop a skin care regimen that involves cleansing and moisturizing. Use products that contain benzoyl peroxide since it kills the bacteria or those with salicylic acid since it keeps the pores from becoming clogged.
For example, you can use a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide like Clean and Clear Acne Cleanser. After cleansing you can moisturize your skin with a moisturizer which contains salicylic acid like Clean and Clear Oil Free Moisturizer .
Apply sunscreen
To prevent the dark acne marks from darkening, apply a non-comedogenic sunscreen after your moisturizer. For example you can use EltaMD SPF 46 Sunscreen.
Apply a retinoid
Retinoids are very important for the treatment of acne because they increase the turnover of skin cells and unclog the skin pores as well as reduce oil production.
Therefore consult your nearest doctor and get a prescription of a retinoid like tretinoin (Retin-A) or adapalene (Differin) that you can apply to your face at night after cleansing.
If you are not able to get a prescription, you can apply the less potent retinols that you can buy over the counter without a prescription. For example you can use Amara Organics Retinol Serum.
A simple acne treatment for men regimen will therefore include:
Morning
Acne cleanser with benzoyl peroxide + Acne moisturizer with salicylic acid
Night
Acne cleanser with benzoyl peroxide + Retinoid or Retinol
Use antibacterial shaving creams
When shaving use antibacterial shaving creams like those with tea tree essential oil. After shaving cleanse your skin to prevent the oils shaving creams from clogging the pores.
Adopt an Acne-Free Lifestyle
In addition to these measures, adopt an acne-free lifestyle to prevent the recurrence of acne and the formation of new dark marks. To do this you can do the following:
*Join a smoking cessation program if you smoke cigarettes
*Eat vitamin A rich foods like dark green leafy vegetables
*Avoid sugary foods like cakes and eat low glycemic index foods like whole grain bread. To learn more read How to Treat Acne at Home.
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