Rolling scars are sloped. They may give your skin a wavy appearance. Boxcar scars are broad with well-defined ridges. Icepick scars are small, narrow, and deep.

This treatment works best with rolling and shallow boxcar scars. Book an appointment with your dermatologist to discuss your options and talk about the potential risks and side-effects. Opt for ablative laser treatment if you have deep scars, or non-ablative laser treatments if your scars are on the surface.

Cortisone creams are available in both prescription and over-the-counter forms. Only apply the cream to the affected skin, and be sure to read the labels for instructions on use.

Avoid products that contain hydroquinone, as this popular skin-lightening chemical can irritate your skin and has been labelled a potential carcinogen. If you have darker skin, avoid lightening creams. They may permanently remove melanin from your skin, which can create a worse blemish.

You can purchase some retinoid creams over-the-counter, such as those produced by major skincare brands. However, stronger creams are available by prescription from your dermatologist. The ingredients in retinoid creams are sensitive to the UVA rays in sunlight, so these creams should only be applied at night in order to protect your skin.

A chemical peel involves having a concentrated acidic solution applied to the skin. It will burn away the top layers of skin, leaving fresh, new layers of skin underneath. Book an appointment with a dermatologist to get a glycolic chemical peel. Microdermabrasion produces similar results, but it works by exfoliating the skin using a rotating wire brush.

Remember to moisturize immediately after washing off the juice, as the citric acid in the lemon can be very drying on the skin. Lime juice, which also contains citric acid, can be used instead of lemon in a pinch. Since lemon juice has a pH of 2 and skin’s pH is 4. 0-7. 0, this method needs to be used carefully. If left on too long, or not diluted this can lead to significant chemical burns. Citrus juices also contains a chemical called Bergapten, which binds to DNA and allows UV radiation to damage skin more easily, so you need to watch your sun exposure if you have any citrus juice on your skin. Rinse it off before going into the sun, and wear sunscreen.

Some skin advocates suggest foregoing this method. The pH of baking soda is 7. 0, which is far too basic for skin’s pH. Optimal skin pH occurs between 4. 7 and 5. 5, which is an inhospitable environment for p. acne (the bacteria responsible for causing most acne). By raising the pH to a more basic level, p. acne is able to survive longer and cause more infection and inflammation. So try this method with care, and stop using it if it’s not effective for you.

Honey is a great option for those with sensitive skin, as honey is non-irritating, and will moisturize your skin instead of drying it out, unlike other treatments.

Alternatively, you can mix the sandalwood powder with a little honey and use this as a spot treatment on individual scars.

A big mistake people make is applying moisturizers to dry skin. Apply your moisturizer to WET/damp skin to guarantee that the moisturizer can work its way into your pores. Instead of using a regular moisturizer, mix some of your favorite facial cream with some Aloe Vera Gel. Aloe is a natural humectant which means that it sucks all the moisture from the air onto your face. This will leave your face hydrated. Avoid using very hot water when cleaning your face. Hot water can be very drying to the skin, so turn the temperature down a few notches. You should also avoid using rough facecloths, sponges and loofahs on the face, as these are too harsh and can irritate the skin.

Alternatively, you can exfoliate using a gentle washcloth and some warm water by moving the washcloth around your face in small circular motions. You should exfoliate at least once a week and at most once a day, though if your skin is very dry you may want to keep it to 3 to 4 times a week.

Vitamin A is found in vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and carrots and vitamins C and E are found in oranges, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and avocados. You should try to avoid greasy, fatty and starchy foods as much as possible as they will not do your skin any favors.