Visible scars may be the source of insecurities for many. Depending on the size of the scar it may or may not be easy to hide.
The scar may even disappear with time or may need a little boost to erase itself.
We have some tips for you to minimize the appearance of the scars that always hold you back to enjoy life 100%.
Determine first the type of scar you have
Some treatments only work for certain types of scars, so it is important to know what type of scar you have first before choosing a treatment to try to deal with it.
- Keloid: keloid scars resulted from a wound that over-aggressively healed itself. Keloid scars are large and have a smooth surface that rises above the skin. Keloid scars have an irregular shape and have the tendency to become bigger over time. There have been reports of keloid recurrence after treatment. A keloid can be commonly found in people with medium to dark skin tones.
- Hypertrophic: hypertrophic scars are scars that resulted from burns or thermal injuries, they are raised above the, usually pink or red in color, and can be itchy. Unlike keloid scars, hypertrophic scars fade without the help of any treatment over time.
- Atrophic: atrophic scars are scars that have a sunken appearance due to skin tissue damage. These scars are usually caused by chicken pox or severe acne.
- Stretch marks: stretch marks are long, thin, narrow lines that you can see on the skin’s surface. They are often reddish and purple-ish in color before fading and becoming white-ish in color over time. Stretch marks are left behind after a drastic change in weight (gain or loss), they can usually be seen in pregnant women.
- Contracture: contracture scars are scars often caused by a very serious burn. Contracture scars may feel rigid and can cause functional problems and limit body motion, especially if the scars are around joint areas.
- Dark spots: dark spots are technically not considered scars but rather just hyperpigmentation. Dark spots are often caused by insect bites.
Easy remedies you could try at home
The following remedies may not make the scar completely disappear but can aid in minimizing the appearance of it:
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a gelatinous plant that is widely known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Aloe vera is used for multiples purposes (cosmetics, medicinal, etc.) and can be commonly seen in skin care products such as lotions, creams, soothing gels, and hand gels.
It helps relieve and treat burns and heal wounds. However, it is also a natural and effective treatment for scars.
Pluck a leaf of aloe vera from the plant and break it, squeeze and a clear sap of gel consistency should come out. Apply this gel to the affected area and gently massage using circular motions.
You can re-apply the aloe vera sap three or four times a day.
If you do not have an aloe vera plant (although these plants are rather easy to source especially if you live in a tropical place), you can resort to using soothing gels, creams, or lotions with a high percentage as high as possible of aloe vera extracts.
Olive oil
Another natural ingredient that can aid in minimizing scar appearance is olive oil.
Extra virgin olive oil, to be exact, is known to be more effective than regular olive oil as it contains a higher level of acidity and vitamins K and E.
The olive oil functions as a moisturizer and softens the skin which causes the scar tissue to loosen up. The acid content of the olive oil then exfoliates the skin and help get rid of the dead tissues.
To apply, put a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil onto the scars and gently massage the area using tiny circular motions until the skin completely absorbs the oil.
You can also improvise it a little bit to make an exfoliating scrub. Mix the extra virgin olive oil with baking soda (about a teaspoon) and apply it to the affected skin and gently massage.
Leave it on for a few minutes then rinse with warm water. This process is less gentle and shouldn‘t be used as often.
Fresh lemon juice
A very common home remedy to lighten scars or any type of skin hyperpigmentation is the use of lemon juice, albeit people having different opinions on the effectivity of it.
Lemon juice is known as a bleaching agent that is believed to fade the redness and overall appearance of scars. It is also believed to be capable of exfoliating the skin which helps it rejuvenate and regenerate.
While some people claim that lemon juice has indeed worked for them, dermatologists highly encourage people to not use it as the components of lemon juice is quite harsh and drying, making the skin photosensitive.
Dermatologists say that whether or not lemon juice worked for an individual, science is yet to prove that it could actually improve and remove the appearance of scars.
To use this treatment on your scars, cut a slice of lemon and squeeze the juice onto the affected area.
You can either leave it on for a few hours or overnight. Since it can be harsh on the skin, only do this treatment once a day or once every other day.
If your skin reacts violently upon application, that means that pure lemon juice is too strong for your skin type.
If you choose to still go with this treatment, you can tone it down by mixing it with water and/or cucumber to tame the harshness of the juice.
Cocoa butter
Cocoa butter is another natural product that moisturizes and softens the skin which helps scars smoothen out and fade upon continuous use.
Apply the cocoa butter onto the scarred area up to 4 times a day. Pure cocoa butter is most preferable but a cocoa butter lotion would also work.
Massage the cocoa butter using gentle circular motions until it is fully absorbed by the skin. Keep in mind that cocoa butter is more effective in treating fresh scars than older ones.
Then again, it would still help fade old scars as long as you use it continuously and consistently.
Vitamin E oil
Vitamin E is a widely-raved beauty product that people vouch for when it comes to treating scars. It contains antioxidants that can moisturize and help repair skin damage, improving the skin’s appearance and texture.
There are different ways to use vitamin E, you can choose to take capsules orally or you can it topically by popping a capsule with a needle and applying it to the scarred area/s.
It would be best to do a patch test first before usage, especially if you’re planning to apply it to a large area of your skin. Apply a small amount on the back of your hand or your forearm and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
If you see an abnormal/allergic reaction, discontinue use.
Regular massage
Massaging scarred areas regularly can help break down the tissue that causes scarring. This method also improves blood circulation.
You can massage the affected area using your bare hands or with a body brush.
Sunblock
A lot of people overlook the application of sunblock which is why sometimes we experience hyperpigmentations that seemingly appear out of nowhere.
Avoiding the sun until the end of the healing process of the scar is highly recommended. Not only does the sun cause sunburns but it also causes the skin to darken and therefore the scars to be more obvious if exposed before they are completely healed.
Even after the healing process is over, avoid exposure and apply sunscreen as often as possible.
Already existing scars are sensitive to harmful UV rays and constant exposure to it causes them to further darken. Sunblock application (use a sunblock that has at least SPF 30) to scarred skin can significantly reduce the appearance of scars.
Regular exfoliation
Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells which help the skin renew itself and eventually rid scar appearances.
You can exfoliate in the shower with a body scrub or a brush/loofa.
Concealer
If you’re looking for an urgent solution for your leg scars, then using a concealer is the best and most convenient way. Concealer can help hide the scars on the skin, though this solution doesn’t solve the problem, it just plasters it.
Always make sure to choose a concealer that matches your skin color. Choose the waterproof kind as much as possible.
To understand a little more about scars, the different types, read the following article about the different types of scars and how to remove them.
Leave a Reply