How to Get Rid of Scars
Scars can be a constant reminder of past injuries, surgeries, or skin conditions, and they often take a toll on one’s self-esteem. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the appearance of old scars and improve your skin’s overall appearance.
Consulting with a dermatologist is an excellent first step in your journey to minimize scar visibility. These skincare professionals can recommend the most appropriate treatments tailored to your specific needs and skin type.
In combination with a dermatologist’s advice, you can also explore natural remedies to support the healing process and maintain healthy skin.
Understanding Scars
Scars form when your skin undergoes injury. As part of the natural healing process, your body produces a protein called collagen to mend the damaged area. While healing, scar tissue forms, often leaving a visible mark on your skin.
The appearance and severity of scars vary depending on the type of injury, your skin type, and how your body heals. Scars can be flat, raised, or indented, and their color may range from pink to dark brown. Some scars may be painful or itchy during the healing process.
Cuts
When you get a cut, it can leave a scar as your body works to repair the broken tissue. The healing process involves collagen proteins being produced to rebuild the damaged area.
If the rebuilding isn’t smooth or if the wound is deep enough, a visible scar can form. This is a natural part of the skin’s healing process.
Acne
When you have acne, the infection goes deep into your skin. This can damage the collagen fibers there, and as the acne heals your body may produce too much or too little collagen, resulting in scarring.
Picking or squeezing acne can damage a wider area than the infection caused by acne and result in more visible scars.
Abrasion
Superficial wounds result from the scraping or rubbing of the skin, called abrasions.
In the case of abrasions, this collagen formation during the healing process may not align perfectly with the original skin texture, resulting in a visible scar.
Burns
Severe burns can cause significant injury to the skin. Your body responds to this injury by growing new skin cells.
However, sometimes this process is intensive and speeds up, causing the newly formed skin to have a different texture and color. This is referred to as a burn scar.
Weight Changes
Rapid weight gain or loss stretches the skin drastically. The gain can lead to stretch marks, which are a type of scar tissue where the skin has been unable to keep up with the body’s changes.
Similarly, rapid weight loss can leave excess skin sagging, which can also lead to scarring.
Surgery
Any type of surgery involves incisions into the skin. Afterward, as your skin heals, it tries to mend the damaged tissue by producing more collagen.
The healing process may leave a scar, especially if the wound is deep or large. The appearance of surgery scars can also depend on the technique used and the aftercare attention provided during the healing process.
Conditions Affecting the Skin
Medical conditions affecting the skin, such as chickenpox and skin cancer, can result in scars. When you contract chickenpox, it results in itchy, blister-like rashes that, when scratched, can damage your skin and lead to permanent scarring.
Alternatively, when you have skin cancer, the disease itself, or the treatments used to combat it, can also leave scars. Skin cancer lesions can destroy skin tissues and result in scars.
Moreover, surgical removal of the lesions may lead to noteworthy scarring, evidencing the body’s fight against the disease.
Types of Scars
Not all scars are equal in intensity or have the same qualities. They vary depending on factors such as the cause, the healing process of your wound, the depth and location of the injury, and your own body’s unique response to injury.
Understanding these types can help inform your decisions about how and whether to pursue scar reduction or removal strategies.
Keloid Scars
Keloid scars are caused when your body excessively produces collagen post-injury, causing a notable shiny scar on your skin.
Unlike regular scars, keloid scars can expand further than the wound site, resulting in large, irregularly shaped, and raised scar tissue.
Hypertrophic Scars
Hypertrophic scars, unlike keloid scars, don’t extend beyond the original wound site, yet they also form due to the overproduction of collagen.
These scars appear red and thick, but they aren’t as raised or widespread as keloid scars.
Atrophic Scars
Atrophic scars are the opposite of hypertrophic and keloid scars in the sense that they are depressed or indented into the skin.
This occurs because your skin fails to produce enough collagen during healing, resulting in a sunken appearance.
Contracture Scars
Contracture scars form due to the skin tightening, usually after a burn. As the skin contracts, it can possibly hamper your ability to move.
This type of scar can also go deeper, affecting muscles and nerves.
Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are also a type of scarring born from rapidly stretching skin. Whether you experience rapid weight gain, pregnancy, or a growth spurt, these faint line-like scars can appear on your body, showing the skin’s struggle to cope with sudden changes in body size.
Home Remedies to Reduce Scarring
While scar formations are a natural part of the healing process, they can sometimes be a source of discomfort or insecurity for many individuals.
Luckily, there are natural remedies that can aid in reducing the appearance of your scars.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is known for its skin-healing properties. It can help soothe and moisturize the skin, promote wound healing, and stimulate the growth of new, healthier skin cells.
Apply fresh aloe vera gel to your scars twice daily and gently massage for a few minutes.
Vitamin E
This vitamin is essential for healthy skin and wound healing. It may help to improve its appearance by hydrating the skin and improving its elasticity. It also fights free radicals, which can prevent further skin damage around the scarred area.
To apply, pierce a vitamin E gel capsule and apply the oil directly to the scar, rubbing gently in a circular motion.
Honey
Honey is a natural moisturizer and an antiseptic. Applying honey to your scar can reduce inflammation and speed up healing, making it less likely to develop into a thick or raised scar.
Its moisturizing effects also help improve the softness and lessen the visibility of scar tissue. Apply organic honey to the scar and leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing off.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains Vitamin E and medium-chain fatty acids, which can stimulate collagen production, aiding in the natural healing process and helping to reduce the size and appearance of scars over time by hydrating and smoothing the skin.
For best results, warm up virgin coconut oil in your hands and massage it into your scar for about 5-10 minutes.
Onion Extract
Onion extract has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It helps to regulate the collagen production in your skin during the healing process, which in turn can prevent over-scarring, making your scars less noticeable.
Simply apply an onion extract gel onto the scar.
Essential Oils
Certain essential oils, such as lavender, helichrysum, and tea tree oil, among others, have properties that can help reduce scars.
These oils have skin-healing properties, which can help regenerate skin cells and reduce inflammation, thus minimizing the appearance of scars.
Dilute a few drops of your chosen essential oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, and apply to the scar regularly.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is noted for its antiseptic properties that can prevent bacteria proliferation, and its acidic nature can also help exfoliate and soften the skin, reducing the raised part of the scar over time.
By consistently applying it, the visibility of scars may decrease. Remember to dilute it before application, as it can be harsh on the skin if applied directly.
Medical Approach for Scar Reduction
Consulting a dermatologist or a doctor is crucial when considering medical treatments for reducing and removing old scars. They will recommend appropriate treatments for your specific scar type.
Scar Sheets
Silicone gel sheets are applied directly over the scar and work by hydrating and protecting the scar tissue.
Over time, this can help to flatten raised scars and blend the scar’s color with the surrounding skin. It’s a simple and convenient treatment method you can do from home.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels involve the application of a chemical solution to your skin, causing the top layer to peel away.
This helps to reduce surface scarring and unveil a smoother skin layer beneath. They can be particularly effective for reducing acne scars or discoloration.
Injections
Injections are a diverse category of treatments that can effectively reduce the appearance of various types of scars. For instance, corticosteroid injections are effective in treating raised scars such as keloids or hypertrophic scars by flattening them out.
In the case of atrophic or sunken scars, collagen injections are a popular choice. They raise the sunken scar tissue to the level of the surrounding skin, promoting a smoother, more natural look. Essentially, both types of injections work to balance the skin’s surface.
Dermabrasion
This process promotes the growth of new, smoother skin in place of the scarred area, thus reducing its visibility. Moreover, dermabrasion is not limited to treating superficial scars but can also be effective in treating deeper scars.
Despite the invasive nature of the procedure, it offers precise control to your dermatologist, allowing them to reach the optimal depth and significantly improve the appearance of your scars.
Microneedling
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, involves using tiny needles to prick the skin. This promotes collagen production, which is vital for skin smoothing and renewal.
Over time, this technique can reduce the thickness and coloring of your scars.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser technology offers a non-invasive approach to scar reduction. This treatment method uses light beams to subtly reshape and modify the scar tissue, reducing its prominence and improving the skin’s texture around the scar area.
It can be used for various types of scars, including those caused by burns and surgeries.
Punch Grafts
This treatment method is used for deeper scars like ice-pick acne scars. The scar tissue is ‘punched out,’ and the wound is then either stitched or filled with a skin graft.
This helps to level the skin surface and reduce the appearance of the scar.
Surgery
Surgical revision is an efficient option for scars unresponsive to other treatments. Through cryosurgery, for instance, surgeons use extreme cold to treat the scarred area.
This is done by freezing and destroying the scar tissue, which results in a minimized size, depth, or changed location of the scar.
In addition to cryosurgery, a technique such as surgical scar revision can be used to improve prominent scars. However, while these surgical interventions can make a scar less visible, it’s essential to understand that these procedures cannot entirely erase its presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some natural remedies to reduce scars?
Some natural remedies for reducing scars include aloe vera, vitamin E, honey, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar.
All have unique properties, such as skin-healing, collagen production, antibacterial attributes, and moisturizing abilities, which help lessen the visibility of scar tissue.
How does weight change cause scarring?
Weight fluctuations can lead to scarring as rapid weight gain or loss stretches the skin drastically. This can lead to stretch marks, a type of scar tissue where the skin has been unable to keep pace with the body’s changes.
Additionally, rapid weight loss can leave excess, sagging skin, which can also result in scarring.
Why does skin cancer cause scars?
Skin cancer can cause scars in several ways. Firstly, the cancer itself can destroy skin cells and tissues, leading to scars.
Furthermore, treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, or some creams can result in scarring. These are results of your body’s attempts to heal these areas.
What are the types of medical treatments for scar reduction or removal?
The medical treatments for scar reduction or removal include laser treatments, microneedling, silicone gel sheeting and even surgery.
These treatments range from non-invasive methods to aggressive procedures for immediate results.
How do burns lead to scars?
Severe burns cause significant injury to the skin. Your body responds by rapidly producing new skin cells to cover the damaged area.
However, this swift regeneration process often results in the newly formed skin having a different texture and color, resulting in a burn scar.
