Know Your Stage Of Recovery
Not knowing where you are in the healing process can lead to unnecessary concern or missing signs that the scar isnt healing properly. If you have an incision or stitches, the wound can take a full three months to heal and the scar will fade over a number of years. Heres how the process breaks down:
Vitamin E Oil May Be Good For Scars
Vitamin E oil contains antioxidants and may help to reduce surgical scars naturally and promote healthy healing.
One study showed that using vitamin E for scars twice a day can help wounds heal with minimal scarring. Applying vitamin E oil after surgery was a natural way to help scars heal and improve cosmetic results.
Although some studies have shown that you can use vitamin E to heal a scar faster, other studies have not been as conclusive.
A review on the benefits of using vitamin E oil to treat scars found that much could depend on the type and location of the scar involved.
Find out how to use vitamin E to improve your skinâs appearance and how taking vitamin E supplements can help your skin from the inside.
You can also use vitamin E oil for scars on legs by mixing a capsule of vitamin E oil with sweet almond oil. Apply twice a day by thoroughly massaging the remedy to your legs to help scars fade away. You could also add a few drops of rosehip oil for treating scars on legs.
What Is A Scar And Why Do We Get Them
Scars are the natural result of the skin and tissue trying to repair a wound. A scar can form from almost any kind of cut, scratch, burn, disease, skin condition or surgery. Only very minor incidents will not cause scarring.
If the dermis, or deep layer of skin, has been damaged, new collagen fibers will begin to form. Think of it as the skin stitching itself back together. This stitching, or mending, of the skin will leave a visible mark once it is completely healed. These visible marks, or scars, let you know that your body has done its job at helping to restore your skin as best as it can.
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Potential Allergic Reactions And Drug Interactions
Silicone is the most commonly found ingredient in scar creams, and while some people may experience slight irritation, very few people are allergic to silicone.
Read the ingredients list before purchasing a scar cream to make sure you arent allergic to any of the ingredients.
As always, consult a dermatologist if you have any concerns or want something more intense than an OTC cream or gel.
Onion Extracts As A Home Remedy For Scars
Some people ask the question if onion can remove scars. You may be surprised to find out that onion remedies can be effective to make scars heal faster.
Research has revealed that compounds in onions promote wound healing and can heal surgical scars naturally. After 10 weeks, the onion gel had helped reduce redness, improved scar tissue texture, and soften the scar. Overall, the onion remedy was shown effective in treating scar development.
Onion extracts or tinctures can be bought in health stores or online and may cause mild stinging when applied, but the stinging should resolve quickly.
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Do Scars Fade Shrink Or Become Less Noticeable Over Time
Most scars fade over time and dont cause long-term health problems. How a scar changes depends on its location, size and type. A scar may fade so much that you can barely see it, but it never completely goes away.
Some scars cause problems months or years later. As nerve endings grow back, the scar may become painful or itchy. Skin cancer can develop in scars, especially in burn scars. To avoid skin cancer, wear sunscreen or keep your scar covered.
When Should I See My Healthcare Provider About A Scar
If a scars appearance bothers you, talk to your provider about procedures that can make it less noticeable. Also see your provider if the scar changes or is painful, tender, itchy or infected. And if you notice a mole, freckle or growth on or near the scar, call your provider right away. This may be a sign of skin cancer, which can grow in a scar.
If youve had a keloid scar, youre more likely to develop another one. Talk to your provider before getting piercings, tattoos or elective surgery . Your provider will recommend precautions if skin starts to thicken and turn into a keloid.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
See your healthcare provider if youre unhappy with how a scar looks. You may not have to live with a scar that bothers you. Several effective treatments can make scars flatter or less noticeable. After treatment, you may not even notice the scar at all. If a scar is causing discomfort or making it difficult for you to move, call your healthcare provider. Treatments can improve movement and relieve pain. Always protect scars from the sun to reduce your risk of skin cancer.
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Shea Butter For Natural Scar Treatment
You can help get rid of stretch marks and other widespread scars by regularly applying shea butter to your damaged skin.
Research into the scar-healing potential of shea butter has found that it may be good for scars such as stretch marks. Applying skin preparations containing shea butter helped to increase skin elasticity and visibly reduce the appearance of existing scars.
Some shea butter remedies contain a combination of shea butter, cocoa butter, and olive oil to help reduce the appearance of widespread scars.
For more information on helping to make scars heal faster, please read this article on the skin benefits of shea butter.
Natural Remedies For Scar Removal
As you move through life, it is incredibly important to feel comfortable and confident in your own skin, but you cant always plan for what life throws your way. Your body tells the stories of your past, and sometimes how you feel about yourself is directly related to how you view your injuries or experiences especially if they have resulted in scarring.
Since scars can be quite noticeable, they can make you feel self-conscious about your appearance. If you would like to minimize the appearance of your scars, Dr. Nathan Brought and the team at Southern Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Institute want to assist you.
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Minimizing And Preventing Scars
Treating skin wounds can help minimize or even prevent scars from occurring in the first place. If you have a wound or cut on your face, make sure you keep it clean. Applying petroleum jelly or Vaseline to the wound can help keep it moist and prevent scab formation. It is not necessary to apply topical antibiotics, like Neosporin, because simply washing the wound with mild soap and water is sufficient.
Wearing sunscreen can help minimize the appearance of scars once they have healed. By applying sunscreen to your face every day, you can prevent a scar from turning brown or red from sun exposure. In some cases, sunscreen can even help scars fade. Make sure to use SPF 30 or higher.
Can Treatment Remove Scars Permanently
Treatment can often help remove scars, but scars also tend to fade with time. How effective treatment will be will depend partly on the type and extent of scarring and the persons skin type.
Treatment can be costly and time-consuming, and it is worth thinking carefully and talking with a dermatologist about what to expect.
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When To See Your Doctor
Even though going to a doctor can be time consuming and expensive, its important to go to a doctor for a deep cut or stitches, Dr. Rogers says. If you end up at your hospitals emergency room, she encourages advocating for yourself to get stitches, because theyll often use glue or butterfly tape to hold the cut together instead, which wont heal as nicely. Then, within a couple of months, be sure to go to your dermatologist to ensure your scar will heal and fade properly. The earlier you seek the help of a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in scars, the better the results, notes Dr. Friedman.
How Scars Normally Form
Scarring is part of the body’s natural healing process after tissue is damaged.
When the skin is wounded, the tissues break, which causes a protein called collagen to be released. Collagen builds up where the tissue is damaged, helping to heal and strengthen the wound.
New collagen continues forming for several months and the blood supply increases, causing the scar to become raised and lumpy.
In time, some collagen breaks down at the site of the wound and the blood supply reduces. The scar gradually becomes smoother and softer.
Although scars are permanent, they can fade over a period of up to 2 years. It’s unlikely they’ll fade any more after this time.
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How Do Scars Form
Scars form when the dermis is damaged. The body forms new collagen fibers to mend the damage, resulting in a scar. The new scar tissue will have a different texture and quality than the surrounding tissue. Scars form after a wound is completely healed.
There are different kinds of scars. Most scars are flat and pale. However, in cases when the body produces too much collagen, scars can be raised. Raised scars are called hypertrophic scars or keloid scars. Both of these kinds of scars are more common in younger and dark-skinned people.
Some scars can have a sunken or pitted appearance. This kind of scarring occurs when underlying structures supporting the skin are lost. Some surgical scars have this appearance, as do some scars from acne.
Scars also can appear as stretched skin. Such scars result when the skin stretches rapidly . In addition, this type of scar can occur when the skin is under tension during the healing process.
Treating Old Scars On Your Legs
Old scars are often there to stay. However, there are some treatments that can fade scars. A dermatologist can suggest any professional treatment options or you can try one of the following home remedies.
Some scars can be treated at home or your doctor may suggest home remedies along with professional treatments.
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How We Chose The Best Scar Creams
We looked at the active ingredients in popular products and consulted what the research had to say on each. We also culled reviews from people who have used scar ointments and creams to find out what works and what doesnt.
These products come from trusted manufacturers and contain ingredients known to reduce the appearance of scars.
Each product has been vetted by our team for business and medical standards. Read more about our process.
How To Use Essential Oils For Scar Healing
You can create your own healing ointment for scars by combining essential oils with a carrier oil.
The best carrier oils to use for wound healing are coconut oil, rosehip oil, or sweet almond oil. You can also add some vitamin E oil because that is also good for scars.
Here is how to make your anti-scar healing cream:
- Mix 2 drops each of tea tree oil and lavender oil with a tablespoon of carrier oil.
- Add 1 capsule of vitamin E oil and mix well.
- Apply the healing scar oil to wounds as they are healing to help prevent scars.
You can also use the essential oil blend for old scars by massaging a little of the oil twice a day to the scar tissue.
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Secrets On How To Get Rid Of Scars
By Kyra Oliver
For some, scars can be great storytellers and conversation starters, but for many, scars are unsightly and sometimes even embarrassing. In fact, they can be life-changing and traumatic to manage on a daily basis, depending on the exact circumstances of the scar which is why many people wonder how to get rid of scars.
Turns out, there are several scar treatment options that allow you to avoid surgical procedures. Below are my eight secrets on how to get rid of scars naturally and safely in the comfort of your own home. My natural scar remedies include shea butter and coconut oil, essential oils, apple cider vinegar and so much more. The best part is, if you try these treatments many of which double as home remedies for acne not only are they excellent for scar removal, but they leave your skin healthier overall!
How We Selected The Scar Creams
To find the best scar creams, we asked dermatologists to tell us what to look for and what to skip when choosing a product . They suggested products with silicone, allantoin, and antioxidant or vitamin blends to improve the color, size, and texture of scars while also promoting the overall health of your skin.
Armed with that info, we searched the internet for well-rated OTC treatments that provide results with easy application it can take a long time to heal scars, old and new, so you need something convenient! We also looked for products formulated to address scars on different body parts, since some types of products are better suited for your face than your body .
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Heal Scars Faster Naturally Or Medically
Some natural products such as raw honey, lemon juice, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and more can naturally heal scars. Massage these natural products on the affected area, let it rest for a while, and rinse it off.
Also, getting other treatment methods such as surgery, micro-needling, silicone products, dermabrasion, or laser treatment can help fasten the process. Consult your doctor or dermatologist for further advice.
With these options combined with a massage, healthy eating at the recommended amount, and properly cleaning and dressing the wound, youll be on your way to the quick healing of scars.
The Best Healing Clay Mask For Scarring
Bentonite Clay Mask, $10,
Many people use it for its pore-cleansing and complexion-clearing abilities, but this healing clay mask also remineralizes the body with calcium and silica. As a result, reviewers say it “truly works at improving the appearance of acne scars,” and some have even had success healing scars elsewhere on the body. The best part? Your scar-healing journey is going to feel like a spa day administered right from your home. One user said acne-related scars around her T-Zone and mouth healed up after two uses.
Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle’s editorial and sales departments.
This post was originally published on 2/16/2016. It was updated and republished on 6/18/2019.
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Watch Out For Keloid And Hypertrophic Scars
As connective tissue builds up during the remodelling phase, two key problems can occur keloid and hypertrophic scarring.
In both keloid and hypertrophic scars the tissue continues to build up when the scar has effectively healed, causing it to darken and form large mounds of scar tissue. They look similar, but have very different outcomes. Keloids are difficult to treat and will never improve on their own while hypertrophic scars may fade with time and respond well to steroid treatment.
Telling the difference is hard, so if you think a keloid or hypertrophic scar is forming or you have had keloids before, let your GP or skin specialist know as soon as possible. Early steroid treatment may reduce risk of developing a keloid scar but once it has formed there are limited ways to improve its appearance. There are options such as cryosurgery, excision, laser and steroid injections that can be explored, but there can be a risk of further scarring.
Keloids are fairly rare, occurring in just 10% of people. Theyre more common in those of Afro-Caribbean decent or with darker skin and are more likely to occur on the shoulders, face, upper chest and back. If youve had a keloid before your risk of having another is heightened.
The Best Way To Prevent Scarring
Youve cut yourself. Now what? We want to minimize inflammation or further trauma to the skin, Dr. Khetarpal says. Heres how to lessen your chances of scarring:
- Clean the wound. As soon as youre injured, clean the affected area with soap and water to get rid of any bacteria and prevent infection.
- Keep it moist and covered. You mightve grown up learning to keep cuts dry, but the opposite is true. Keeping it moist is best to prevent a scar, Dr. Khetarpal says. Use petroleum jelly on your wound, and bandage it up to let it heal.
- Avoid bacitracin. Resist the temptation to apply topical ointment, as 8% of people are actually allergic to it which can further inflame the area and increase the likelihood of scarring.
- Minimize movement. Every time the scar moves, its going to alter the formation for a wider or thicker scar, Dr. Khetarapal says. Give your wound time to heal by not overexerting the injured area.
- Leave those scabs alone: Scabs are our skins natural bandages, so keep your fingers off of them and let them do their thing. Picking will only prolong your injury and keep it from healing. Think youre picking at scabs in your sleep? Purchase a pair of cotton gloves to wear to bed.
In summary, Dr. Khetarapal says, The bottom line is dont let it crust up, keep it moist, keep it clean, keep it covered, and minimize tension.
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