While existing scars cannot be waved away via magic wand, you can speed up the fading process by regularly applying certain topical creams, lotions, and gels to them. Some common ingredients in these scar treatments include aloe vera, cocoa butter, Vitamin E, honey, and other hydrating materials.
Cocoa butter works as a great moisturizer. It has lightening properties, which help fade acne scars and lighten skin tone. Take some cocoa butter and apply it evenly on your face. Leave it on overnight and rinse it off the next morning.
The omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants in both shea butter and coconut oil have been shown to inhibit keloid scar tissue and repair skin. (1, 2) Additionally, because shea butter and coconut oil are very effective at moisturizing the skin, they can be part of a continued regimen to help minimize some scarring.
For surgical scars in particular, laser scar removal is an effective, noninvasive option for scar treatment. Dermatologists use intense light to reduce the size, color, and shape of a scar. Different kinds of laser removal are more effective in treating one type of scar over another.
If you want to try an over-the-counter product, silicone gel or silicone sheets have the best evidence they can help reduce the appearance of scars. For more serious scars like keloids, other treatments like cryotherapy, laser resurfacing, or scar removal surgery may be an option.
Bio-Oil helps to improve the appearance of new or old scars; whether from surgery, accidents, burns, insect bites, scratches or conditions such as acne or chickenpox. Although younger scars will have a greater chance of improvement, studies have shown that older scars also benefit from regular use of Bio-Oil.
Topical treatments, such as vitamin E, cocoa butter cream, silicone gel,onion extract products, and several commercial skin care products like Vaseline and Aquaphor that are sold over the counter may be somewhat effective in helping to heal scars.
Massage the scar with oil for 10 minutes and rinse. Lemon/Lime Juice: Place lemon or lime juice on the scar with a cloth. Let this sit for a few minutes on the skin before washing it off. The acidic qualities of the juice help remove dead skin cells along the scar and can lessen the redness or appearance of scars.
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.
Vitamins A, C, and E
Vitamin A is an incredibly helpful aid when it comes to tissue repair and cell generation. Having Vitamin A in your diet (sweet potato, spinach, fish oil) keeps your skin healthy. Using topical retinoids (a derivative of Vitamin A) also work to improve and speed up wound healing.
Another homemade remedy to clear scars is by the use of baking soda, which is a natural exfoliator and aids in gently scraping the scar tissue layer by layer. Make a light paste using two parts of water and one part of baking soda. Scrub this gently on the scars for about a minute after which you can rinse it off.
Use Vaseline® Jelly for Scars
By sealing in moisture it also helps to reduce dryness of scarred skin, once your skin has healed. This may help to improve the appearance of scars, making the skin look smoother and softer, as well as help to reduce itchiness caused by dryness.
“Usually the scars will heal rather quickly - within the course of a few weeks to one or two months - but you may not see final results for up to a year. Individual factors also influence how quickly your body is able to recover from a wound.” In older patients, or where the skin is more lax, scars settle more rapidly.
“Scratching the wound or picking at the scab causes more inflammation, making a scar more likely,” Hultman says.
Mature scars can also flatten out as they go through this aging process, but it's important to note that scars will never go away completely. Even with some scar treatments, the appearance will be improved, but they will never totally disappear because the skin composition is different from the surrounding tissues.
Honey helps your body's healing process, which may help fade acne scars. You can use honey as a spot treatment on scars, applying it every day or every other day as a paste at the site of your scarring. You may also see results if you use honey face masks as a part of your beauty routine, as described above.
How long before people will start seeing results using Bio-Oil Skincare Oil? We recommend that Bio-Oil Skincare Oil be applied twice daily for a minimum of three months for best results to be seen.
Bio-Oil has been shown to lighten scars. A 2012 clinical trial done by the manufacturer found that 90 percent of subjects experienced an improvement in scar color after using the product for 8 weeks.
A good application of Vaseline maintains a conducive level of moisture around the wound, making a recovery as quick as 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the type of surgery.
Massaging your scars is important. It keeps the tissue around the incision loose so it doesn't “stick” to the tissue underneath. Wait until after your skin has healed before you start massaging your scar. Your skin will be healed when the edges of the scar are well closed with no gaps, and have no drainage.
Poor Circulation
During the healing process, your body's red blood cells carry new cells to the site to begin rebuilding tissue. Poor blood circulation can slow down this process, making the wound that much longer to heal. Chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, can cause poor blood circulation.
Experts agree that in-office laser treatments are the most effective way to improve the appearance of scars. “Lasers can target pigment in the scar or help remodel the collagen to heal the scar texture,” board-certified dermatologist Dr.