Although some people love their scars because it makes them look tough, or so they think, most of us don’t really like the appearance of scars, especially scars on our face or other highly visible places. There are many professional cures, lotions, and creams available on the market that help to heal scars. However those are very expensive, loaded with chemicals, and often don’t give the desired result.
Does this means that your scars are a lifelong fact from now on? Absolutely not. There are a lot of all-natural home remedies that won’t cost you a fortune. Probably you already have some of the ingredients available in your house to heal scars and stretch-marks naturally.
The best time to treat scars
Treating the scar while it’s relatively new is the best option to achieve the best results. Old scars are difficult to remove completely and often require a medical approach such as surgical scar revision or laser treatments.
Keep in mind that improving scars will take some time, we’re talking about weeks here, so don’t give up after just a few days. Daily treatment and patience is a key.
1. Vitamin E
Vitamin E oil or capsules are probably the best known remedy to heal scars or stretch-marks naturally. It stimulates the formation of collagen, which improves skin texture, strength, and flexibility.
Concentrated vitamin E oil, vitamin E lotions, or the contents of vitamin E capsules can directly be used on the affected area. Let set for a while and repeat twice a day. Make sure the wound has fully healed, as vitamin E can interfere with the healing process.
You could combine the topical use with daily internal vitamin E supplements or add more vitamin E rich foods to your diet (like almonds, hazelnuts, olive oil, and sunflower seeds) for a better effect.
2. Pure Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera is truly a super plant as it comes to natural healing. Its gel is rich in healing nutrients and can be used on wounds as well to speed up the healing process and prevent scarring from the beginning of the wound healing process.
If you have this plant growing at home, just take a limb and scoop out the fresh healing gel. No plants at your house? No worries, you can buy pure, organic Aloe Vera gel at your local health store. Massage the gel on the affected area and let set and soak. Don’t wash the gel off, your skin will absorb it completely. Repeat 3 times a day or as often as needed.
Add vitamin E powder or oil to your gel for an extra healing boost. Vitamin E oil or capsules are often used to preserve Aloe gel. So if you’re using fresh gel you could make a batch, add some vitamin E and it will keep for weeks in your fridge. But keep in mind, if you using Aloe gel with vitamin E oil, better not apply on scars that are not fully healed. Aloe vera is a common medicinal herb and is useful for other ailments, not just for the skin.
3. Minty Cucumber Paste
Making a paste out of cucumbers is easy and cheap. There are also commercially cucumber lotions and paste available at your health store. Cucumbers nourish and hydrate the affected area and help to fade the scarring. They make your skin softer and suppler, and are unlikely to cause allergies or skin irritation.
To make the paste, peel and remove the cucumber seeds. Blend with a few mint leaves. Beat egg white separately and add this to the mixture. Apply the paste on the scar and let set for about 20 minutes, rinse with cool water. Apply daily as needed.
4. Gooseberry or Amla Paste
Amla paste is an old Indian remedy to prevent scar tissue. The best effect is obtained when you use the paste on newly-healed wounds. You could buy a ready-made paste or the powder to make your own paste. Mix the powder with water or olive oil for a better effect. Massage the paste into your skin, let set for a while and rinse with cold water afterwards.
5. Honey And Baking Soda
Honey, another wonder of nature, is used in many natural healing remedies. Apply raw honey on your scar before going to bed. Leave on overnight and you’ll start to see the difference and fading of the scar after just a few days. To avoid a sticky mess on your sheets, cover with band aid, if possible. Its moisturizing and antiseptic benefits are very effective to treat wounds, soften your skin, and stimulate the growth of new tissue.
Or use a paste of equal parts of raw honey and baking soda. Massage the paste into your skin, cover with a hot washcloth, and wipe clean when the cloth has cooled.
6. Lemon Juice
Citric acid is very effective to fade scar tissue, it works as a natural bleach, stimulates the formation of new tissue, and improves elasticity of your skin.
First of all make sure to clean the affected area. Apply freshly squeezed lemon juice, twice a day, on a cotton ball and rub onto your scar. Let sit for about 10-15 minutes and rinse with cool water. Do not use this remedy when you plan to go out in the sun. Lemons make your skin sensitive to light.
7. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Another good option for you to try is tea tree oil. Well known for its antimicrobial properties, but works wonders as well to heal skin tissue and reduce the appearance of scar tissue. There are various ways to use tea tree oil to reduce and heal scars.
Although most people dilute tea tree essential oil in a carrier oil, it can be used topically and undiluted as well. But keep in mind, it can sting and cause irritation if you have a sensitive skin. So try it on a small healthy patch of skin first. Apply the undiluted tea tree oil, once a day, on the affected area and leave for about 20-30 minutes. Safety reminder: never use tea tree oil internally!
Or add the tea tree oil to a good base oil, like coconut or olive oil, and massage the affected area 2 to 3 times a day.
Another way to use tea tree oil, is to add it to warm water and use as a soap to clean the affected area.
8. Oatmeal And Yogurt Mask For Acne Scars
Combine equal parts of ground oatmeal, sour cream, and yogurt with freshly squeezed lemon juice. Blend until all ingredients are well combined and apply on your face for about 10-15 minutes. Gently rinse and pat dry. To get the most out of this remedy, apply 2-4 times a day.
9. Onion Extract
Onions has anti-inflammatory property that inhibits the production of collagen around the scarred area. This makes the scar less noticeable and it heals naturally over due course of time. Onion extract is easily available in the form of gel and rub it over the scarred area every day. This remedy should be followed consistently for months to get rid of scars completely.
10. Nourishing Oils And Body Butters
Some base or carrier oils can be used on their own due to their nourishing and skin healing properties. Apply the oil onto the affected area and massage the scar for about 5 minutes and leave it on for another 10 minutes before wiping it off. Repeat this a few times a day. To get faster and better results, also apply the oil overnight.
Or you could add them to some of the recipes described above to boost skin healing and moisturize your skin.
- Extra virgin olive oil: doesn’t clog pores, loosens dead skin cells, hydrates, lightens scars, rich in vitamin E and K, and softens your skin.
- Coconut oil: protects, hydrates, soften and heals skin, its strong antioxidant properties fight free radicals that damage connective tissue and reduce the ability to regenerate.
- Cocoa or Shea butter: promotes the healing process and soothes, hydrates, and softens scar tissue.
- Sandalwood essential oil helps to remove scars and blemishes from your face. Apply a few drops to a base oil, milk, or rose water. Wash or massage your face with one of those mixtures, let set, and rinse with cool water.
- Lavender essential oil can directly be used onto scar tissue to rejuvenate your skin cells and fade the scars. When you have a sensitive skin, dilute in a base oil.
- Rosehip seed oil in combination with rose essential oil, shows great results in reducing acne scars.
Although other base oils can be used as well, those described above give the best result in terms of healing scars and improving their appearance.
A few other tips to keep in mind when trying to fade or heal scars: don’t pick at your wounds when they are healing as it will worsen the appearance of your scar. While trying one of the above mentioned remedies, try to rub your scar with ice for 15 minutes every day. Why ice? Well this will help with the swelling and promotes faster healing. But be careful not to burn your skin and always put the ice in a cloth and not directly onto your skin.
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This is a guest post written by Amy Goodrich for healthyandnaturalworld, health coach, and dedicated blogger who loves living a natural, eco-friendly, and healthy lifestyle. Visit her website http://www.body-in-balance.org and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bodyinbalance.org
