Healing a scar can be annoying, especially if it’s extremely noticeable. For some, scars serve as great storytellers of being strong and inevitable conversation starters. For many, it can be life changing and almost impossible to get rid of. Turns out, there’s a variety of scar tissue treatment options out there that allow you to avoid costly or invasive surgical procedures. As a girl who often found myself having cuts and scrapes from almost nowhere, below are my tried and true secrets on how to get rid of scars naturally. They don’t require harsh ingredients or a consultation from a professional dermatologist, and you can usually practice scar removal within the comfort of your own home. My favorite skin friendly ingredients include shea butter and coconut oil, tea tree oil, lemon juice, and other natural ingredients. While patience is key to the scar healing process, there are some effective ways to speed up the fading of discoloration that is leftover. The best part is, if you try home remedies for acne your skin can benefit overall from feeling more hydrated, replenished, and toned!
- Know your scar. Scars are created by connective tissue that developed as a result of restoring the strength of injured tissues. Due to a number of factors like your body type, the depth of the wound, and why the wound happened, all scars don’t look the same. For example, normotrophic scars are whitish, flat and do not change the skin’s texture when you look at it up close. Atrophic scars, on the other hand, are more limp and are located below the surrounding tissues of a wound. Hypertrophic scars, like ones rooted from acne, protrude above the surface of the skin and usually have a pink tint to it. Lastly, keloid scars strongly protrude over the skin and are some of the most difficult to get rid of.
- Get natural. If you don’t have a chance to go to the hospital to get rid of annoying scars, use natural remedies that you can grab from your pantry or local grocery store. Nutmeg is one ingredient that’s famous for its miraculous properties, and can be applied for thirty minutes on a scar after mixing it with milk or honey. Rinse it with water and make sure to watch for results within the first few weeks as you consistently apply it. Another method is to soak a cotton ball in lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and apply it up to three times a day to the scar for ten to fifteen minutes. The acids and vitamin C in these ingredients help shave off dead skin cells to promote regeneration. Lastly, using aloe vera gel can cause healing results because of its high concentration of vitamin E. Vitamin E contributes to the regeneration of our skin and the formation of collagen which improves the overall appearance of a scar. Apply it several times a day and feel free to use it on skin burns as well for quick healing.
- Use an ointment. Applying ointment against scars is a relatively inexpensive way to reduce the visibility of skin imperfections and save your wallet at the same time. The local drugstore provides a lot of inexpensive options that are highly rated by consumers who struggled with scar removal. You can usually get rid of existing scars by using them in one to two weeks but you’ll need to apply it consistently. Some of the best options are Mederma and Bio Oil, each cost under twenty dollars and are rated as the best in the skincare industry to improve discoloration.
- Use a scrub. Homemade scrubs are sometimes to best way to shed off dead skin, improve your discoloration, and use natural yet simple ingredients. For a more relaxing way to heal acne scars, a homemade sugar scrub can do the trick. Sugar cane contains an ingredient called glycolic acid, which helps to removes dead skin and promotes cell regeneration without irritating it. Simply mix organic cane sugar with olive oil at a two-to-one ratio, then add several drops of organic lemon juice until the scrub is moist enough to mix together easily. Apply the sugar scrub to your scars once every two or three days and leave it on for fifteen minutes before washing it off!
- Seek outside help. If none of the home remedies I mentioned seem to be working, it may be time to bring in a professional who can take a look at your situation and provide recommendations. Often, a medication that a store offers may not be working for you but has specific ingredients that will provide results. Seeking a compound skincare solution is great for healing more severe scars from deeper wounds. A customized skin care solution created by an expert can help minimize the appearance of scars without simply covering them up with a full coverage foundation.
Don’t Fret
Some scars don’t seem to budge but don’t let your anxiety get to you. Make sure to try out natural remedies first for scar removal as your skin may be prone to irritation from harsh chemicals. Doing your research is extremely important so you don’t leave a scrub, peel, or other acid too long on your skin as well. Be prepared to also commit to a certain scar removal method for a few weeks before moving on to the next one. Results don’t show up from a sporadic approach, you need to be on top of your game!
