OT: Hopefully solved my skin problem, now to remove scarring

You can try Maderma.  It's especially for fading scars.  It's expensive though...close to $20 for a tiny little tube. 

My grandmother used to always suggest vitamin E and lanolin for any skin issue. For me, most of the time it worked. I take Vitamin E pills when I don't want to put it on my skin.
One caution though: you can't take it before surgery or skin peels. I think it thins the blood slightly.
I've recommended it to several other friends and they have had good experience with it.
Good luck!