Natural Remedies for Scar – Treatment for All Types

By: Ken Barnes

Having attractive, flawless skin couldn’t be more important for your self-confidence and for your own self-esteem. That means that if you end up developing a scar due to an injury, trauma or surgery you can often find that it affects you not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too. If you have a scar on any part of your body, but especially if it is in an area which is on public display, you may end up feeling worried about its appearance and wondering how you can improve the way it looks.

The good news, however, is that whatever type of scar you have, there are a number of ways in which you can improve its appearance, and while surgery may be an option if your scar is especially severe, if it is causing problems with movement or if it is painful, there are many other options which do not involve such an expensive and invasive procedure. If you want to know how to get rid of scars, read on and you can find out the best ways to restore your skin to healthy condition.

How & Why Does Scarring Happen?

It is part of the body’s natural healing process following trauma. If you have suffered from an injury to any part of your body, have had severe acne, or if you have undergone surgery, the result could be a scar on the affected area of skin. Scars result from the body’s biological processes of repairing the wound in its tissues, and unfortunately, the vast majority of wounds will result in some scarring, although the severity of the scar will depend on how deep the wound is, the type of wound you have experienced and the type of skin you have.

A scar forms when the layer of skin known as the dermis becomes damaged. New collagen fibers are then formed by the body in order to repair this damage. The result is a scar which will have tissues that have a different quality and texture to the tissue that surrounds it. Scars are formed after the wound is fully healed, and there are several types of scar which have a different appearance from each other. While most are pale and flat to the rest of the skin, sometimes the body will produce excessive amounts of collagen and this will lead to a raised scar which is more noticeable.

If muscle or fat has been lost from the wound site, the scar may have a pitted or sunken appearance, and this often occurs following severe acne or after surgery. Some other types look like stretched skin, and these are known as “stretch marks,” occurring when the skin has had to stretch quickly due to pregnancy or a growth spurt.

Scar Types

Acne

Anyone who has suffered from a severe case of acne may well have scars that have developed on their face, back, chest and shoulders due to this skin condition. They come in several forms, including deep pits, angular or even wave-like marks. Some of them look like small pock marks, others are swollen and raised, and still others appear in the form of a discolored patch of skin which may be very obvious. As marks that acne leaves come in all shapes and sizes there is no single way how to get rid of acne scars fast & effectively and the method you should use will depend on the type of scar you have and how severe it is.

Keloid

A keloid scar is caused when the body’s healing process goes into hyperdrive and is overly aggressive. This results in too much new collagen being formed, extending beyond the injury itself and onto the surrounding skin. Eventually, keloid scars can make the skin feel stiff and difficult to move. This type of scarring is especially common in people who have darker skin and is particularly prevalent in those of Asian, African or Hispanic origin. Usually, keloid marks are purple or pink in color and have a smooth surface. They have an irregular shape and, unlike a standard scar, they will not regress with time.

Contracture

A contracture scar often occurs if the skin has been burned. This type of scar can occur on any part of the body and causes the skin to pull together and tighten, affecting your movement. They also often go deeper beyond the dermis, affecting the nerves and muscles beneath. This can result in functional problems as well as pain and an unsightly appearance. Contracture scars form and peak in around 3 – 6 months following the trauma itself, and if they have not resolved themselves after 12 – 18 months the mark is unlikely to improve any further in appearance on its own, and sometimes scar removal surgery is required.

Hypertrophic

This type of scar is red and raised, similar in appearance to a keloid scar however it will not extend beyond the injury’s boundary. This kind is characterized by excessive collagen deposits which result in the raised appearance of the scar. This type of scar forms most frequently at the site of a pimple, cut, burn or body piercing. Often they contain blood vessels and nerves and usually develop after a traumatic injury involving the deeper dermis layer. Thick and red, hypertrophic scars are often painful or itchy, and can continue to become thicker for around 6 months following the injury. While their appearance can improve over a few years, they will never resolve completely on their own.

Stretch Marks

Stretch marks take the form of lines or narrow streaks on the skin’s surface. They form because the dermis has torn, allowing the deeper layers of the skin to show through. Usually purple or red to begin with, they fade over time to a silver-white color. Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body where the skin has stretched, however they are especially common on the breasts, stomach, buttocks, thighs, upper arms, back and shoulders. They occur frequently after gaining a lot of weight, during pregnancy, during puberty or in people who have a health condition. At first, they will feel wrinkly and raised, however they will flatten over time, although this can take a number of years.

Home Remedies for Scars

Aloe Vera

Taken from the aloe vera plant’s leaves, this gel has been used for generations to treat wounds, skin problems and burns. Thanks to its healing, moisturizing and soothing properties, it is often applied to scarred skin to help it to repair itself and reduce irritation. Aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory properties also help to remove dead skin, reduce swelling and repair damage to the skin cells while promoting healthy, new skin growth. It can penetrate into the skin deeply, moisturizing it and increasing collagen production to improve the healing process. Aloe vera comes in all kinds of products including lotions, salves, ointments and gels, and by applying them directly to the affected body part 3 or 4 times per day, it can improve the appearance of scars.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has long been used as a scar treatment and can help to improve the appearance of scarred skin thanks to its natural Vitamin E content. Vitamin E is an antioxidant which can speed up the recovery of skin, and as coconut oil also contains capric, caprylic and lauric acids which stimulate the production of collagen, it can improve the rate of healing. Coconut oil diminishes the look of marks, eliminating blistering and peeling, although it must be applied frequently and it can take a long time to show any effects.

Lemon

Lemon juice is one treatment for scarring, and while it can lighten the appearance of scars it will not remove them completely. Lemon contains alpha hydroxy acids, and these are known for their healing properties for the skin. The alpha hydroxy acids remove the dead skin cells and help the growth of new healthy cells while helping to restore the elasticity of the skin. Lemon juice is also a natural form of bleach and can often lighten the appearance of scars that have a darker pigmentation. Using lemon juice to lighten scarring involves cleaning the area thoroughly before putting a teaspoon of lemon juice onto a cotton wool ball and then applying it onto the area of scarring. The juice should be rinsed off after ten minutes and sunscreen should be worn when outdoors since it can make the skin photosensitive.

Honey

Honey has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes, and while it can treat marks left on the skin it requires a particular kind of honey. It must be unprocessed, unheated and unfiltered in order to have therapeutic benefits. Honey is known to stimulate the regeneration of tissues and to stimulate the process of healing. Since it is also a natural moisturizer it can reduce the appearance of scars. When using honey as a treatment, you should mix tablespoons of honey with two tablespoons of olive oil and then apply it to the affected area of skin. You should massage it gently for three minutes and then put a warm wash cloth onto the skin. Once the wash cloth is cool, use it to clean the extra oil away and this will allow dead skin cells to be removed easily.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is packed with properties that make it a good remedy for improving the appearance of scars. Its astringent properties dry out oily skin, and it can regenerate the tissues, allowing for new, healthy skin to grow. It also helps to balance the skin’s pH levels, and supplies it with the essential nutrients it needs including vitamins P, E, C, B6, B2 and A. Its antiseptic and antibiotic properties as well as amino acids and hydroxy acids which dissolve the dead skin cells and the fatty deposits inside the skin. It also contains lactic and malic acids which help to soften and exfoliate the skin to improve the appearance of indented scars and red marks.

Apple cider vinegar can be used for scars by mixing equal amounts of water and apple cider vinegar in a bowl and then using a cotton wool ball to apply the mixture to the skin. After leaving it for several minutes, it can then be rinsed off, the skin can be patted dry and then two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with honey in a large glass of water should be drunk on a regular basis.

Shea Butter

Shea butter has special properties which make it an ideal scar treatment. Its natural vitamin E content acts as an antioxidant and its vitamin A content is an anti-inflammatory. Shea butter also has large amounts of fatty acids which can moisturize, rejuvenate and heal skin cells together with emollients which help to replenish and moisturize the skin cells. These properties initiate the healing process to diminish the appearance of bad scars and help them to look better over time. Shea butter can be applied regularly to scarred skin in order to address the uneven texture of the skin’s surface. The reparative ingredients in shea butter can also reduce discoloration in the skin over time.

Are Home Remedies Really Enough?

While home remedies can be very helpful in reducing the severe appearance of the worst marks on the skin, they will never be able to completely eradicate them. While all of the natural ingredients mentioned above have properties which can prove to be beneficial for the skin, including vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory qualities and emollient properties that moisturize and replenish the skin, they can never completely remove the damaged skin of a scarred area. Eventually, many of these home remedies may reduce redness, swelling and the raised lumpiness of scarred skin, however something more beneficial such as a scar removal cream will be required to restore the former appearance of the skin.

So, What Is the Best Way to Get Rid of Scars?

When it comes to getting rid of scars effectively, you can try out the above natural home remedies as part of your treatment, however a dedicated scar removal cream is the best solution to improving the appearance of damaged skin. The best scar cream is Amaira Advanced Scar Vanishing Cream which has been rated as the number one choice among users for tightening and lightening the skin while reducing scars dramatically.

Helping to restore self-confidence and return your skin to its original appearance, the proven serum used in Amaira’s formula uses only healthy, natural ingredients which have been demonstrated to be safe for use even on sensitive skin and intimate areas. Effective at lightening dark pigmented scars, it can restore the radiance and flawless look of the skin in just six weeks. Even better, it is a completely pain free treatment, which is the perfect alternative to painful surgery which could raise further complications and even possibly cause further scarring.

No matter what type of scarring you have or where on the body it is located, you can be confident that Amaira Advanced Scar Vanishing Cream is completely safe to use since it contains no parabens, perfumes or harsh chemicals, only plant based natural ingredients. This cruelty free product is fully FDA approved and is even made in the USA for the user’s complete peace of mind. Buyers are even protected by a 60 day manufacturer’s money back guarantee, so there is nothing to worry about.

The advanced scar treatment works by helping to prevent melanin developing in the skin, fighting hyperpigmentation on the skin’s surface while also working deeply into the tissues to slow down the growth of those chemicals which cause the dark pigment of scarring. Naturally, the body sheds the old skin cells, and then the new cells which will form will have a lighter color due to reduced melanin.

While many products which bleach the skin use chemicals that can be potentially harmful, causing burning and irritation, this treatment is an all natural product and will not cause any further scarring or skin damage. The results are long lasting, and after as little as two weeks some users have reported that their skin looks healthier and more radiant. Suitable for use by both women and men with any type of skin, this skin serum can treat all kinds of discolored scars including those from piercings, burns, surgery and acne. It can also be used on any part of the body without causing any harm.