Natural Ways to Treat and Prevent Scars
Scars on any part of the body may cause psychological effects such as reduced self-esteem, feelings of embarrassment, anger, anxiety and sadness. These negative associations with scars, especially those that are highly visible and appear on the face, neck or hands can affect both women and men.
Scars may result from serious diseases or conditions that affect the skin such as chicken pox and eczema or they may result from injuries, surgical operations, acne, body piercings, burns, or stretch marks from major weight change.
Why do some wounds scar?
Scars form when the deepest layer of the skin, (the dermis) is damaged. The body forms new collagen fibers in order to repair the damage resulting in newly formed tissue that is different from the surrounding tissue.
The cause of the scar will greatly affect how the scar ultimately presents; a scar that was caused by chicken pox, for example, is not likely to present the same way that would a scar that was caused by a wound that was sustained form a stabbing.
Scars can therefore be categorized into different types:
- Atrophic
- Contractures
- Hypertrophic
- Keloid scars
Atrophic Scars
Scar tissue is indented, serrated or has a flat appearance against the uppermost layer of skin. This type of scarring is usually caused by acne, chicken pox, surgery and accidents/injuries.
Contractures
Contracture scars form as a result of burn injuries. The scar tissue usually present on the body’s joints and creases. Scar contractures tend to tighten the affected skin, making it difficult to move and flex the affected body parts. If the damage is deep enough, it may even affect the functioning of the nerves and muscles of that body part.
Hypertrophic and keloid scars
These types of scars are thick, dark, raised and generally more profuse than surrounding skin tissue.
Although hypertrophic and keloid scars present almost identically, the biggest difference between these two types of scarring is the fact that hypertrophic scars form only on areas of injury.
Technologically advanced treatments
The modern cosmetic industry might suggest advanced treatment routes to treat scars, such as chemical peels, laser treatments and surgeries, however these can be expensive and may not be necessary for minor scaring.
Natural remedies to help prevent and treat scars
Vitamin E stimulates the formation of collagen - a protein which is the building block of skin. Vitamin E is best used for atrophic scars to help raise the indented areas of scar tissue. Rubbing vitamin E oils, vitamin E lotions or even the contents of Vitamin E capsules on a wound that is healing or on a scar twice a day can help to treat and/or prevent scars.
Vitamin C can help with wound healing by reducing free radical damage when inflammatory markers are present, as happens with an injury. Vitamin C can be taken internally or vitamin C based creams used topically
Rosehip oil is high in vitamin C and vitamin A and can be applied topically to skin.
Aloe Vera Gel contain healing ingredients - vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants within the thick gel substance that is contained in its stems. These healing properties can prevent the growth of bacteria that cause infections and inflammation and also promote the production of collagen. The gel also helps to moisturizes the skin.
Tea Tree oil should be diluted before being used to treat scars. The oil can be applied directly to the scar or the healing wound to prevent scarring. Tea tree oil contains antiseptic, antibacterial antifungal and antiviral components.
Emu oil is obtained from fats of the Emu bird. The oil is rich in components that promote skin’s natural healing process and helps reduce inflammation. Emu oil also helps with skin moisturizing.
Gotu Kola extract can be found in creams or lotions. The plant is very potent and offers remarked wound healing properties. It can help reduce the appearance of scars, speed up the wound healing process and improve blood circulation.
Lemon Juice. Vitamin C in lemon juice is a citric acid that stimulates the formation of new tissue, improves skin elasticity and is also a natural bleach. Soaking up a cotton wool in freshly squeezed lemon juice and rubbing it on the face or any other affected area will help to fade the appearance of scars.
Gooseberry or Amla Paste. The gooseberry fruit, which is known in India as Amla fruit, has a very high Vitamin C concentration. According to a 2010 study published in the “Nutrition Journal”, of the 119 berries and fruits studied worldwide, the amla fruit actually had the highest concentration of Vitamin C. using the amla powder to make a paste or simply applying the fruit’s flesh directly to the affected area will help to prevent or treat scarring.
Fuller’s Earth is a type of clay known as multani mitti. It contains beneficial minerals such as iron, calcium, dolomite and magnesium, which have magical effects on skin. Mixing half a tablespoon each of fuller’s earth and vitamin E oil and lemon juice, applying the mixture to the affected area for up to 20 minutes before washing it off, should help to fade the appearance of wound scars and other types of scars including burn marks.
Fenugreek is an herb that is similar to clover in the family Fabaceae. Boiling a tablespoon of fenugreek in water and applying it on scars will lighten the scars and may remove them. Making a paste wit the leaves of fenugreek and applying it to the face everyday will have the same effect.it is especially effective for acne scars.
Honey is a nature’s wonder. it contains up to 600 components that all work to cleanse, moisturize, soften and treat skin. Apply honey to affected area and let dry before wiping off with a damp cloth. It can also be used with in conjunction with baking soda to create a natural exfoliator that brushes away dead skin.
Snail mucin. The slime excreted by snails is a combination of glycolic acid and proteins, which have scar lightening, wound healing and skin regenerating properties. A small study published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology concluded that “soluble serum helps to orchestrate the correct assembly of extracellular matrix, and avoid excess or abnormal scars, including acne scarring”.
Timing is everything when dealing with scars.
It is best to treat scar tissue while it is relatively new and thus still malleable. It may take at least a month before real results are noted on scars.
Consult with a professional before treating scar tissue with any natural remedies or therapies as there is always the danger of sepsis, even on old wounds and scars, but especially on fresh ones.
References
- http://www.keloidresearchfoundation.org/treatment-options.php
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12680802
- http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/pages/articleviewer.aspx?
- http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2010&issue=02000&article=00019&type=abstract
- http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1807-59322014000800565
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038392/
- http://www.webmd.com/beauty/skin/cosmetic-procedures-scars
- https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/a---d/acne-scars/who-gets-and-causes
- http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1807-59322014000800565
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038392/
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3390235/
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you have any concerns or questions about your health you should consult with a health professional.