Many people want want their scars to disappear, even if some people view them as badges of honor. They might make you feel self-conscious since they can change the way you look.
You need to know what a scar is and what kind you’re seeking to get rid of if you want to remove an old scar.
How do scars form?
Following an injury, a scar develops as part of the body’s normal healing process. Your body creates collagen fibers to heal damage to the dermis, the second layer of skin, which leaves a scar.
Generally speaking, less collagen will be deposited and the scar will be less obvious when a wound heals more quickly.
The intensity of the accident or damage usually determines how bad the scar will be. They develop differently depending on the age of the wounded individual and the different sections of the body.
Top 10 medical remedies for getting rid of scars
There is currently no known method to completely remove scars, however many will naturally lighten with time.
Additionally, various prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) remedies are available to assist lessen the visibility of scars.
Silicone gels or sheets
However, open wounds cannot be treated with silicone gels or sheets. They are applied like self-adhesive dressings and are flexible, soft gels or sheets. They are intended to flatten the scar and soften the skin around it.
They may be cleaned and reused for up to three months if worn every day. You may purchase them over-the-counter at your nearby store without a prescription.
Steroids
When it comes to treating specific types of scars, such as thick or keloid scars, corticosteroid injections might be helpful.
To assist lessen the stinging, burning, and redness that these scars may cause, they are injected directly into the scar tissue. Because they can leave a permanent indentation if injected into a flat scar, they are not useful on other types of scars.
The scar is flattened when the injections minimize edema. The injections are often administered several times over the course of several months. If a doctor can provide you with this, you can inquire about it.
Laser therapy
Laser therapy, also known as laser skin resurfacing or laser scar revision, targets blood vessels that might lessen a scar’s appearance.
The laser pulses can make the scar flatter, minimize its redness, discomfort, and itching, but they can’t entirely remove it.
A physician or an aesthetician administers laser treatment.
Dermal fillers
Gel-like compounds called injectable dermal fillers are injected beneath your skin.
Hyaluronic acid, a chemical that naturally produces in your body, is typically used to make them. They can occasionally be used to fill up pitted scars, for instance, if you have severe acne scarring.
A physician or a specialist in dermatology or aesthetics administers dermal fillers.
Chemical peels
Mild scarring can be treated with chemical peels. To promote cell turnover and expose a smoother, less wavy complexion, the chemical solution dissolves the top layer of skin.
People with lighter skin types respond to this therapy better. Chemical peels are often performed by aestheticians.
A glycolic acid peel may be more efficient if your skin is darker.
Acne and skin pigmentation on the face can both be effectively treated with azelaic acid.
No matter what color your skin is, you should always use sunscreen and reapply after being in the sun since peels make the skin particularly susceptible to light and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Subcision
Another popular cosmetic procedure for treating acne scars is subcision. It entails pricking your skin with a tiny needle to separate the acne scar from the underlying tissue.
This is particularly useful for scars that are depressed or indented.
This enables the skin to raise and lessen the prominence of the acne scar. It is done at a dermatology or aesthetics clinic.
Punch excision
In order to treat acne scars, a surgical instrument that is the same size as the scar is used.
The scar is removed using the instrument as the name suggests, and it is then sewed up. It’s one of the greatest methods for getting rid of these deep scars, such as ice pick or boxcar scars.
For further information, go to a dermatologist or aesthetics clinic.
Microneedling
Numerous different scar types can be treated with microneedling.
The procedure pricks the skin with tiny needles to form tiny channels, as the name suggests. This encourages the synthesis of collagen, which helps to reconstruct the skin and lessen the visibility of scars.
Microneedling is frequently provided in dermatological or aesthetic clinics.
Medicated creams
The sort of scar you have may allow a specialist to recommend a cream. Some creams available exclusively by prescription could work better than creams you can purchase over the counter.
To reduce irritation and swelling, these products frequently include a topical steroid or a high-strength retinoid.
OTC creams
These creams don’t include active prescription-only components; instead, they use other substitutes that work to lessen scar size and appearance as well as to soothe itching or redness.
Natural remedies for getting rid of scars
There are also a number of organic treatments that might lessen the visibility of scars.
Aloe vera
Researchers came to the conclusion that aloe vera, when taken in conjunction with other treatments, can speed up the healing of wounds and reduce the appearance of scars in a 2019 reviewTrusted Source that examined 23 studies.
To use it:
- Remove the dark green “skin” from the flatter side of an aloe vera leaf.
- Scoop out the almost clear light-green gel.
- Apply the gel directly to your scar using circular motions.
- After half an hour, wash the gel off with fresh, cool water.
- Repeat twice each day.
Vitamin E
Scars and vitamin E have conflicting scientific data. There is conflicting evidence about how vitamin E may cure acne and remove associated scars.
Researchers came to the conclusion in a 2016 study that there isn’t enough support for the widespread usage of topical vitamin E to significantly improve scars. They made notice of the demand for additional top-notch research.
Try it:
- Squeeze the oil from a vitamin E pill on the scar after cutting it open (you might need more than just one capsule to get enough liquid for full coverage).
- Massage the oil on and around the scar for around 10 minutes.
- Wash the oil off with warm water after around 20 minutes has passed.
- Three times a day at the very least, repeat this practice.
Honey
There is no proof, according to science, that honey can treat scars.
Manuka honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics, according to a 2016 studyTrusted Source, however topical application of the honey had no effect on the appearance of scars.
Try it:
- Apply a coating of honey on your scar before going to night.
- Apply a bandage on the honey-covered scar.
- Turn it on for the entire night.
- Remove the bandage in the morning and wash the honey off with warm water.
- Make sure you do this every evening.
Coconut oil
There isn’t much scientific proof that coconut oil may help scars disappear.
2018 in review
According to a dependable source, coconut oil accelerates wound healing by:
- encouraging collagen synthesis
- reducing inflammation
- repairing the skin barrier
- having an antibacterial and antioxidant effect
Try it:
- Heat a few tablespoons of coconut oil just enough to liquefy it.
- Massage the oil into the scar for about 10 minutes.
- Let the skin absorb the oil for a minimum of 1 hour.
- Repeat two to four times every day.
Apple cider vinegar
Acne scar prevention has been demonstrated to be possible with apple cider vinegar (ACV).
2014 research one
This was attributed by a reliable source to the succinic acid in ACV. Succinic acid can reduce acne-related inflammation, which may stop scarring from happening.
Try it:
- Combine 4 tablespoons of distilled water with 2 tablespoons of ACV.
- Dip a cotton ball into the water-cider mixture and generously dab your scar.
- Let it dry.
- Do this every night before you go to bed, washing the area in the morning.
Lavender and olive oil
According to research, lavender essential oil may aid in the healing of wounds.
According to a 2016 study on rats, the surface area of wounds that were topically treated with lavender oil had a substantial reduction in comparison to the control group.
Try it:
- Three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil should be combined with three drops of lavender essential oil.
- For around five minutes, massage the mixture into the scarred region.
- Give the oil around 30 minutes to dry.
- Use warm water to rinse the area.
- At least three times a day should be spent doing this.
Lemon
There isn’t any conclusive medical proof that lemon can treat scars.
In a 2018 study on mice, it was shown that using lemon oil topically alleviated the animals’ skin damage and inflammation.
Try it:
- Cut a wedge from a fresh lemon.
- Gently rub the juicy side of the lemon on the scar while you squeeze the juice onto the scar.
- Relax for about 10 minutes before rinsing off the area with cool water.
- Do this every day at approximately the same time.
Potato
The belief that potatoes may treat scars is supported by just weak medical data. But according to a 2017 research, potato peel may aid in the recovery of small burns.
Try it:
- Spherical potatoes that are around a middling thickness.
- Rub your scar with the potato slice in a circular motion.
- Throw away the dried-out potato slice and begin rubbing with a fresh one.
- After approximately 20 minutes of rubbing and replacement, let the scar air dry for about 10 minutes.
- Use cold water to rinse the area.
- At least once a day, repeat this technique.
Rosehip and frankincense
One 2019 research Rosehip oil greatly accelerated wound healing and significantly decreased scarring, according to a reliable source.
2017 research
According to a reliable source, frankincense oil could help human dermal fibroblasts repair more quickly.
Try it:
- Mix equal parts rosehip essential oil and frankincense essential oil.
- Massage the rosehip-frankincense mixture onto the scar.
- Wait for 45 minutes before gently rinsing the area with warm water.
- Follow this procedure three times a day.
Baking soda
Older 1995 research When baking soda was used, postsurgical wound healing was particularly examined by a Reliable Source and shown to significantly improve. At day 7 and especially at day 14, this was seen.
Try it:
- Mix distilled water — a little at time — into 2 tablespoons of baking soda until it forms a paste.
- Wet your scar with distilled water and then apply the paste to the wet scar.
- Hold the paste in place with a warm compress for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the area and repeat daily.
The takeaway
You could want to attempt a natural solution if you want to make a scar seem less obvious. Many individuals think that using natural treatments will be effective.
Have a discussion with your healthcare provider before beginning, as with any home cure. A doctor can provide advice regarding what treatments you should or shouldn’t try.