While the scars do not completely fade, they do become lighter over time. We’ve included a list of natural therapies that can help lighten scars and make them less apparent in this post. Take a look.
Types Of Scars
There are different ways by which you can sustain scars. The different types of scars are:
Atrophic Scars: Examples of this kind of scars are stretch marks and pitted acne scars. They create sunken or indentation marks on the body (1).
Keloidal Scars: These are large, dark, elevated, and benign tumors that appear behind the ears, back and chest. These scars can also go beyond and grow outside the affected area. These are difficult to correct/revise by surgical methods (2).
Hypertrophic Scars: These are the most common type of scars. They are raised firm growths that do not go beyond the borders of the original injury and are characterized by modular structures (3).
Scars come in all sizes and shapes, and they are something you would rarely want to show off. Here are some natural methods that can help lighten scars to a great extent.
How To Get Rid Of Old Scars With Natural Remedies
1. Lemon
Lemons are rich in bioactive compounds that exhibit antioxidant properties (4). These can help reduce the scars that appear due to acne, pimples, or zits and repair your skin.
3-4 teaspoons lemon juice Cotton ball
Repeat this 2-3 times daily. Note: Lemon juice can cause a stinging sensation on your skin, so you must use this remedy only if you are not allergic to it.
2. Honey
Raw honey is an age-old therapy to fade scars. It contains bioactive compounds that stimulate tissue regeneration and can aid in treating wounds (5). Baking soda acts as an exfoliant and helps in lightening the scar.
1 teaspoon raw honey 1 teaspoon baking soda A small towel Hot water
Do this twice a day.
3. Onion
Onions have anti-inflammatory properties and also inhibit the production of collagen (6), which in turn helps in fading scars (7). Onion juice You can do this 3-4 times a day.
4. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory properties (8). This may help reduce skin irritation and scars and encourage the regeneration of new skin cells. Aloe vera gel Reapply 2-3 times daily.
5. Gooseberry
Gooseberry (amla) is rich in vitamin C that may help reduce the formation of scars. It can reduce the appearance of scars due to its tyrosinase inhibitory effect (9). Hence, it may lighten old scars and also prevent the formation of new ones
Gooseberry powder Olive oil
You can use this face pack every alternate day.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil contains phytochemicals that may help reduce surgical and acne scars gradually (10). It improves blood circulation to the affected area and also protects it from infections.
2-3 drops tea tree oil 1 teaspoon water or olive oil
Repeat this every night before going to bed.
7. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and vitamins that can promote the growth of skin cells and tissues (11). This may help eliminate old scars, and its antimicrobial properties can prevent further breakouts. 1 teaspoon virgin coconut oil Do this every night before going to bed.
8. Vitamin Supplements
Vitamin supplements can help a great deal in minimizing facial scars. Vitamin E exhibits wound-healing properties (12). These properties may help reverse the effects of acne scars and blemishes on your skin and leave it looking clearer over time. You can take a doctor’s prescribed dose of vitamin E supplements. You can also consume foods rich in vitamins like green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fish, carrots, and avocados.
9. Potato Juice
Potato juice is rich in phytochemicals that can cleanse your skin and lighten pigmentation or spots caused by acne and pimples. This makes your skin look replenished and clearer (13). 2- tablespoons potato juice You can apply this juice 2-3 times a week.
10. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil possesses antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties (14). This may help fight any inflammatory response to infections on your skin and heal the affected area and eliminate scars over time.
2-3 drops lavender oil 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
Do this 2-3 times daily.
11. Rosehip Oil
Rosehip oil is composed of bioactive compounds that exhibit wound-healing properties (15). It is observed that it can speed up the transition of macrophages phenotypes that can help improve scars over time.
2-3 drops rosehip oil 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
You can do this 2-3 times daily. Apart from these home remedies, there are various treatment options available to get rid of scars. In the next section, we will explore medical treatment options for scars.
Medical Treatments Options For Old Scars
Here are some of the commonly used methods you can opt for:
Over The Counter Drugs
There are several OTC drugs or creams that can be used to fade old scars, but use them only under the guidance of the doctor or a pharmacist. Mederma is one such OTC ointment that can be used to fade scars. It is a chemical formulation containing aqueous extracts of onion and is widely used in eliminating post-surgical scars (16). Consulting a certified dermatologist is recommended so that you are prescribed the correct type of cream to remove your old scars.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are known to lighten old scars by using chemical exfoliants. This procedure also removes the dullness from the skin and can improve overall skin texture (17). Many cosmetic clinics offer various types of chemical peels depending on the nature of the scar you want to get rid of. This method works best for superficial scars.
Laser Treatments
This method is used on persistent and stubborn scars. Laser therapy employs the use of photothermal energy to stimulate the remodeling of collagen and elastin in the scar tissue and skin (18). Different lasers are used for different types of scars.
Prevention Tips
Here are a few tips you can bear in mind to prevent scarring:
If you have sustained a cut/scrape, ensure that you keep the wound covered and clean until it is healed. You could apply OTC ointments or petroleum jelly to the wounded area to minimize scarring (19). Always keep the wound dressing clean and hygienic. If you had to get stitches for your wound, consult your doctor regarding care for the affected site after it is healed to reduce scarring.
Does Mederma really work on scars? Find out in the infographic below about the medical treatments you can explore to reduce the appearance of old scars. Mederma is an over-the-counter skin cream that is widely used to treat scars. But studies have shown that it is not as effective as petroleum jelly is in fading away scars (19). Can Vaseline remove old scars? Yes, applying vaseline to scars during the healing process can help seal moisture. This helps reduce dryness, improves the appearance of scars, and makes skin look smoother. Do scars fade with age? Yes. Although complete removal of scar may not be possible, scars gradually do fade with time. Do scars go away if you exfoliate? Scars may not completely fade away with exfoliation. However, exfoliating scars helps remove dead skin cells and improve skin tone and texture. Do apply moisturizer after exfoliating for smoother skin. Does Vitamin E help with scarring? Vitamin E speeds up wound healing and improves the cosmetic appearance of scars.
