6 Ways to Get Rid of Scars
While some people choose to embrace their scars, many people would rather make theirs disappear somehow. Because scars are usually visible and can affect your appearance, they often make people feel self-conscious. Before we hurry and try to get rid of our old scars, it’s important to understand what a scar is first. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of scars and ways to get rid of them!
A scar can form in result of an injury on the skin. When the second layer of skin (dermis) is damaged, your body utilizes collagen fibers to repair the wound, sometimes resulting in a scar. Generally (but not always), the faster a wound heals, the less collagen fibers required to help repair, and the less noticeable the scar will be The severity of the scar is also usually dependent on the severity of the injury, and scars tend to form differently depending where it is on the body as well as how old you are.
Scar types
There are also different types of scars, each with its own set of characteristics.
Atrophic scars
This type of scar is caused by loss of tissue and usually appears flat, depressed, or serrated against the skin’s upper layer. Typically, atrophic scars contain darker skin pigmentation than any other area of your skin. Chicken pox and acne scars are examples of this type of scar.
Hypertrophic scars
This scar type is identified by the excess tissue that forms over the skin during the healing process. Hypertrophic scars also tend to be darker than the rest of your skin.
Keloid scars
Aggressive healing causing an overproduction of tissue usually results in a keloid scar. Keloid scars commonly have a raised, puffy, thick, darker appearance. This type of scar can grow beyond the affected area, unlike a hypertrophic scar.
Contracture scars
This type of scar is commonly formed from burns or when large areas of skin has been lost or damaged. Contracture scars usually have light and shiny characteristics that may restrict movement.
6 Ways to get rid of scars
Although you may not always be able to completely erase a scar’s appearance, there are effective ways to lighten them over time or accelerate healing time with some of these remedies listed below.
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1. Aloe vera
Apply the clear gel from a fresh aloe vera leaf directly to your scar, massaging the affected area in circular motions. Leave in for about 30 minutes and rinse with fresh, cool water. Many advocates of this natural remedy claim to see an improved, lighter scar appearance over time. Repeat the process twice a day for faster results.
2. Honey
You can use this natural scar remedy in the evening. Before going to bed, cover your scar with a nice layer of honey and wrap it with a bandage. Leave it on overnight and wash off in the morning with warm water. Repeat the process daily as needed.
3. Vitamin E
You can either buy vitamin E oil or cut open vitamin E capsules and squeeze the oil directly onto the scar. Massage the oil on and around the scar and wash with warm water after about 20-30 minutes. Repeat this process a few times a day for improved results.
4. Coconut oil
Melt a few tablespoons of coconut oil and massage the oil into the scar for about 10 minutes. Let the coconut oil absorb into the affected area for at least one hour and rinse with warm water. Repeat 2-4 times a day as needed.
5. Apple cider vinegar
For this scar remedy, combine 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 4 tablespoons distilled water. Dip into the water-cider mixture using a cotton ball and dab on a generous amount onto the scar. Let it dry and keep it on overnight before washing it off in the morning with warm water. Repeat daily as needed.
6. Microneedling
If you have some old acne scars, traumatic scars, or want to improve your skin’s texture, tone, color, and/or the appearance of wrinkles, microneedling can be the rejuvenation you’ve been searching for. Many dermatologists recommend this procedure to improve the appearance of melasma, surgery scars, and acne scars by using thousands of fine needles to prick the surface of the skin. The pricking process encourages your skin to produce more collagen to heal wrinkles and scars.
Some scars can get better on their own over time, but others will be visible permanently unless treated properly. Natural remedies as well as certain anti-aging serums and creams can go a long way towards healing your skin. You can also consider microneedling treatment as your next step. Weigh out all of your options before making a decision on something as important as your skin. If you are in Las Vegas and are interested in learning more about microneedling, make sure you contact Ageless Forever to determine if this is the right treatment for you! Click here to schedule a consultation with our experienced team of experts.
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