How I Got Rid Of My Acne Scars & Pimple Marks

It took me years to start treating my acne scars, and years to write this post. After a lot of trial and error, I finally learned how to get rid of my acne scars, and I share my entire process, mindset, and story below.

You can buy the best products for acne scars I used to get my acne scar removal results here.

*If you want the specific microneedling kit & routine I use including the most effective and researched copper peptides available, email me [email protected] for details.

**Also email me if you want to see more acne scar before and after process photos and videos that I didn’t post here

My Story

I’d never gotten acne scars before even though I’d picked my skin occasionally and popped my pimples and blackheads a lot. When I was 25, I got a few really bad pimples that got so big and stayed for months. I picked and picked at them because I was also depressed and anxious and not in a good state of mind due to outside circumstances.

The ones on my forehead blew up into huge craters (see below picture) and a few months later after I saw the damage to my skin and realized it might be permanent since it wasn’t healing so easily like it always had before, I became obsessed with reading and researching acne and the healing process. I found that inflammation interferes with the collagen production process, which is essential to acne and scar healing.

My repeated picking and inflamed skin calmed down but there was collagen damage which turned into huge craters in my face right in the middle of my forehead and I was embarrassed to have people look at me, especially since my skin had always been smooth and fine before.

I researched and read and bought a ton of products. Below I’ll share my pictures and journey and what has worked for me.

It’s a long healing process, and the most important thing is giving your skin time to heal in-between treating it and not to pick which I will give a strategy on below as well. I started intentionally using products to heal my skin about 10 months after the scars first appeared when I realized my skin was not going to 100% automatically fully heal on its own like it always had in the past, but I didn’t find the microneedling and copper peptides for acne scars, AKA the only acne scar treatment that has actually worked for me, until 3 years after my scars had settled in, so there is hope for you too even if you have “older” scars.

I had my acne scars for 3 years before I discovered the microneedling + peptide strategy and have been using it to heal for a year now. It’s a long healing process, but it works. It works because you enable your skin’s natural healing process which is also why it takes time.

You start to see results each month, as your skin loses damaged layers and new healed skin starts to come through. The only acne scar cream cream that has ever worked on a deep level to heal my skin is the Skin Biology copper peptide serum. I’ve seen it break down damaged layers of my scarred skin, and help them fully peel off each at home acne scar treatment session, when used in conjunction with  derma-rolling, as well as give my new skin underneath the nutrients it needs to fully heal effectively.

I use the acnescar.org at-home dermaroller for acne scars.

Likely due to the intensity and duration of my picking combined with my age at 25 my skin was no longer as prone to healing and elasticity as it once was, and it was a huge, shameful, desperate wake up call for me. Looking in the mirror or even having pictures taken was painful.

I couldn’t take many pictures of myself because I wasn’t sure it would ever heal and that broke my heart. Thinking about it made my self worth plummet. I couldn’t live with the thought I had permanently damaged my body and this did not help combat the anxiety and depression I was already feeling, leading to more picking for months and months unfortunately.

Then I became obsessed with learning how acne forms, how acne scars and regular scars form, how to treat and heal them. I’ve done my absolute best, and the body is incredibly resilient. I share my story and advice below. Nothing is perfect or a “miracle worker” however, and if I could go back in time to myself or anyone else I would scream “DON’T PICK YOUR FACE OR SKIN IT’S NOT WORTH IT PLEASE PLEASE LISTEN TO ME.”

However since we can’t go back in time and tell ourselves anything, we can start right now and do our best moving forward. We can use what we know and the best products available today to help heal our skin, we can stop the picking to help our skin heal and not irritate it further, and we can treat our bodies and minds with he care, love and respect they deserve feel peaceful and happy which will shine from the inside out.

Here are some close up before and after pictures, as my skin continues to heal:

We can heal, we can stop damaging our bodies, and we can learn from our past and move forward with our lives. We can’t change the past, all we have is complete control of this moment and every future moment, which is more than enough. Although we cannot go back and change any of the past, we can use our control over the present and future to make our life the best it can be starting now.

That is how I remind myself not to beat myself up about or worry about or try to change the past because I have no control over that. This helps me to move forward and do the best I can with the present without letting my past mistakes or actions interfere with the future I am capable of creating for myself.

In regard to makeup and” covering up” scars, I like to use products that get at the core of the issue, actually healing at the same time they cover up. The Derma E Scar Gel is my favorite for covering the scars while providing hydration and helping the healing process at the same time.

After going into an official acne scar reducing microneedling session, I read the pamphlet they gave me cover to cover about what topicals and treatments help heal acne scars.

That is where I discovered copper peptides, among other things, and started researching more in-depth.

I saw how the professional micro-needling session helped my skin, breaking the skin down so it could re-heal on its own, but I realized the products they gave me were overpriced, and not concentrated or effective at speeding up the healing process.

During my online research I discovered the at-home acne scar remedy derma-rolling for acne scars AKA micro-needling, can help break down the top layer of damaged skin and allow copper peptide healing products in to break down the excess scar tissue collagen, and help the layers of damaged skin come off, giving the healthy skin the nutrients necessary to heal into the healthy skin that was there before the scarring.

I’ve seen much more successful results with my at-home microneedling + copper peptide & exfoliating regimen than I did with my professional session, because I am able to do it more consistently and give my skin the copper peptides and nutrients it needs to heal.

The reason scars don’t look like smooth, natural skin is because the skin is designed to heal quickly to prevent blood loss and infection meaning the body dumps collagen into a healing area to close it quickly which makes scars look bulky and damaged. Scar collagen is continually being removed and replaced with normal skin cells, but it can take adult skin up to 10 years or more to complete this process, while in children the remodeling happens much more quickly.

Microneedling is able to work because it induces controlled damage into a small area of skin with a needle, and lets your body’s natural processes heal the skin in a controlled way.

Copper peptides help the process by breaking down excess collagen and damaged skin so it comes off more easily, and giving your body the amino acid building blocks it can use to repair the skin and bring out your new, smooth, healthy skin underneath.

In scientific terms, this has been studied extensively, and the healing process is described well here:

Research studies find that adequate tissue copper helps the process of skin remodeling by activating your skin’s metalloproteinases that remove damaged proteins (sun as sun-damaged collagen and elastin) and scars. At the same time they help activate your skin’s anti-proteases TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 that protect against excessive breakdown of protein. (Simeon et al, Life Sciences, 15, 2257-2265, 2000). They also reduce the skin’s protection of the scar-producing factor TGF-beta. Interestingly, retinoic acid (retin-A) is often used for scar reduction but retinoic acid actually increases the production of the scar-producing TGF-beta. (McCormack, Nowak and Koch, Arch Plast Surg 3:28-32, 2001).

Animal studies suggest that increased copper also helps to (1) regenerate new collagen and elastin which improve skin firmness and elasticity, (2) increase the production of water holding glycosaminoglycans which is true moisturization, (3) improve the skin’s blood vessel microcirculation, (4) produce biochemical energy from nutrients in the body’s blood supply, (5) increase the natural defense mechanism against oxidative damage, and (6) repair damage to the protective skin barrier. For scientific references on these effects see: COPPER-PEPTIDE REGENERATION.

As the skin is rebuilt and scars removed, the elastic properties of the skin pull it into a smooth surface.

I’ve seen this process in my own skin as the microneedling is able to break down the damaged skin and excess scar collagen, allow for the penetration of the copper peptides. The skin heals in layers. After a few days a few damaged skin layers peel off and reveal healthier skin underneath as more damage comes to the surface. Then I let my skin heal for a few weeks, and repeat the process, each time seeing less damage and more new healthy skin surface.

Every time I used to go to the doctor or even to get my nails done, or see anyone really, which is why I have avoided people for the past 4 years I’ve had my skin issues before I found a solution, the “authority figure” or friend etc would ask me, “What is your skin issue/ condition / disease?” or make some remark. Or, even worse, not make any remark even though we both knew there was an issue, although it was not a disease or condition, it was simply acne scarring.

These past few months whenever I see people they tell me how good my skin looks with surprise in their face, and I know it is true because I can see it too. Finally when I get out of the shower I just put lotion on and feel ok. Just over a year ago, I would put lotion on and see how disgusting my skin still looked, knowing that was how others saw me as well.

Micro-needling + the specific copper peptide routine I’ve been using has helped my acne scarring heal more than anything I could have ever imagined. My skin is finally smooth and healthy again and I never thought I would get that second chance to have my face back again.

This picture illustrates how the damaged skin comes to the surface and how the healing process works in an easy to see and understand way:

Interestingly, I have also seen very light hair growth in the areas that I have used the micro-needling and copper peptides on – it is barely perceptible to the naked eye, but the copper peptides encourage new skin cell growth and alongside that new hair follicle growth. Your skin is literally regrowing and regenerating and you can see this in the new skin cell growth overtaking your damaged skin as well as new hair follicles emerging as your skin grows and heals, also illustrated in the picture below:

My Acne and Pimple Scar Healing Daily Routine

Bedtime Routine

Bedtime is the most important part of the healing process since as you sleep your body is hard at work healing and repairing itself.

This is where I focus using the healing products.

First you need to make sure you have no active acne in the area and that your skin is not red or actively damaged when you start the microneedling:

First I rub a thin layer of coconut oil over the acne scar damaged areas I am going to use the microneedling device on.

1. Then I use a brand new (or cleaned by sitting in 99% Isopropyl alcohol solution overnight) 1.5mm microneedling needle and roll it back and forth with even medium pressure over the area 5 times in multiple directions
2. After rolling the needle to break down the damage skin and open up the skin for receiving the copper peptide repair nutrients, I put a light layer of the copper peptides over each area of skin
3. Sometimes it stings or hurts a little, and I wait for that to go away before I go to bed so I can fall asleep easily

The next day I wash off the copper peptides and I take Rosehip oil that contains natural inflammatory fatty acids and the essential skincare vitamins A and C and place a few drops onto the areas of skin to nourish it and help it repair. Rosehip oil very soothing and the moisture and vitamins help repair the damaged skin.

I also place Derma E gel over the Rosehip oil to lock in the moisture and let it heal for the next few days.

Exfoliate 3X/week

The skin will naturally start to peel off 3 days or so after your microneedling session, but you can also exfoliate intermittently to help it come off.

This amazing exfoliating spray I found through Jessica Graf’s from Big Brother’s YouTube channel (I think her and Cody are perfect together and she has amazing skin- I don’t watch Big Brother though), literally takes off a layer of your skin each time you use it, great for fading marks, scars and evening your skin tone.

Exfoliating also exposes your new fresh skin and encourages skin growth and regeneration.

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You can also use the LacSal exfoliating serum or cream on your face during the day (the lotion is white like a normal lotion and the serum is clear so you can’t tell you’re wearing either during the day), to break down damaged skin so it exfoliates off the top damaged layers more easily.

Email me [email protected] for more product and daily routine information.

Morning Routine while skin is healing

1. I put Rosehip oil onto the acne scars in the morning which provides the vitamins, nourishment and moisture that will soak into the skin without providing too much moisture like the coconut oil.

2. Then I place the Derma E scar gel into any visible pits which locks in the Rosehip oil moisture so your skin can keep healing throughout the day as well as covers the pit so your skin looks healthy and normal in the daylight as you go about your day.

3. I also take 2 Omega-3 fish oil pills to supply the inside of my body with the fatty acids it needs to help heal my skin from the inside out. You need to provide your body with the best nutrients possible to help it heal from the inside and outside. If it doesn’t have the inner nutrients to heal your skin, no matter what you do topically your body won’t have the nutrients it needs to heal.

Organic Rosehip Oil

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Rosehip oil is made from the seeds of rosebushes and contains Omega 3, Omega 6, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Linolenic acid. Its vitamins and fatty acids have been shown to reduce hyperpigmentation, inflammation and redness, which is why it is able to aid the skin in helping it heal pimple and acne marks.

Derma E Scar Gel

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Derma E scar gel is clinically proven to improve scar texture and appearance as well as smooth the skin. It also helps your skin retain moisture and reduces the appearance of acne scars while it is on the skin while improving and helping your skin heal at the same time.

I use the Derma E Scar Gel during the daytime to help improve how my scar looks while I’m out during the day while it is helping to keep moisture in my skin and reduce the scars’ appearance at the same time.

Unrefined Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil

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Coconut Oil is a natural, fatty efoliating agent that is incredibly good for your skin and hair when applied topically as well as your body when ingested orally. In addition to being all-natural and not containing the harmful artificial ingredients found in many skincare agents, it is special because it is able to penetrate your skin at a deeper level than most oils due to its low molecular weight and its special ability to bind to proteins.

Coconut oil is anti-bacterial and can help get rid of excess bacteria on your skin’s surface while penetrating to give the skin moisture while at the same time exfoliating dead skin cells to rejuvenate acne scar areas and aid in the healing process bringing out your fresh new skin underneath.

Nature Made Omega-3 Fish Oil Pills

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Fish Oil supplements contain the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that most people do not get enough of in their daily diet unless they live in a fishing village and eat salmon and other types of fish plentiful with the Omega-3 acids in their daily diet.

I know I don’t eat fish often at all, and am lacking in the essential Omega-3 fatty acids that help regulate your body’s oil production and aid in healthy skin, hair and nails.

Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cream

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Benzoyl peroxide cream at the maximum non-prescription allowed strength dries out the red acne and pimple marks so they shrink down and disappear and is quite effective in treating current pimples relatively quickly.

I usually see the pimples shrink down within a half hour of application and they tend to disappear completely after a day or two of night-time cream use, depending on the size of the blemish. Larger blemishes take longer to fade and heal.

Ice Cubes

Ice cubes are great for the skin and improving your overall complexion as they help increase circulation and blood flow to the area while reducing inflammation and can be effective at speeding the healing process of current acne.

It also makes your pores smaller and is like a mini facial with or without acne. I put the ice cube directly on my face and have found that to get the best results however do that at your own risk as the cold may be too much and you could risk ice burn or cold damage to your skin.

Exercise

Studies have shown that not only does exercise help improve the skin’s appearance and health, it is also able to actually reverse the skin’s aging process to some extent.

Exercise delivers blood to your skin and improves collagen production which is involved in the formation of new skin. It also improves blood circulation and skin health even helping the skin produce more cells and shed damaged ones. It also eliminates toxins in your body through your sweat which improves not only your skin health, but your overall body’s health.

A study at McCaster speculates the effects of exercise on skin regeneration may be due to a substance called myokines in the body, specifically myokine called IL-15 that plays a role in jump-starting cell changes and regeneration.

Visualization And The Power Of Your Mind

Your mind is incredibly powerful and it is unable to distinguish fantasy from reality which is why visualization techniques and practice are so powerful. It is very important to stop picking your skin, and I’d known that for months but I couldn’t seem to stop, my hands would automatically go to my face when I was bored, stressed or even trying to meditate in the morning it was horrible.

The only thing that helped me was using the power of my mind. Say to yourself, ” I am not the kind of person who picks my face” repeatedly throughout the day, do this in the morning, throughout the day, and especially when you start looking too closely at your face or feel an urge to pick.

It will become part of your identity and the urge to pick will fall to the wayside without effort since it’s part of who you are now. This is the only thing that was able to stop me from compulsively picking my skin and after a week of not picking you’ll start to notice softer, healthier skin as your body is able to heal without your interference.

For the exact routine, more photos and images that include the healing process & support how you can do the same plus how to get the copper peptides & microneedling kit I use, email me at [email protected] with the subject line “Microneedling”.

It’s important to use the right copper peptides – the ones I use are developed by the scientist who discovered their skin healing capabilities and distilled them into the first skin treatment creams.