Scars are a leftover overgrowth of skin tissue after a wound heals. They’re a common and natural result of the healing process, but you might find them unsightly and want to get rid of them. Dermatologists use a variety of methods to get rid of scars like laser treatments, topical steroids, and minor surgical procedures. However, you might want to try treating your scars yourself before resorting to these treatments, and there are several natural remedies that people claim can heal scars. Most of remedies are not scientifically-verified. [1] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source They’re harmless, though, so you can try them out if you want to. Fortunately, if none of these treatments work, you can talk to a dermatologist and have a minor procedure to reduce your scars.
Steps
Remedies You Could Try
It usually takes some kind of medical procedure to get rid of scars completely, but you might want to avoid this if you can. If you’d like to try reducing your scars naturally, then the following steps could help. They don’t work for all people and most lack scientific studies demonstrating their effectiveness. However, they won’t cause any harm and some people find that one or more of these steps improves their scars’ appearance. Try them out for yourself and don’t hesitate to contact your dermatologist if they don’t work.
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Massage the scar if it’s only a few weeks old. A gentle massage can bring nutrients to recent scars and help them heal. Apply light pressure along the length of the scar for a few minutes each day and see if you notice improvement in a few weeks. [2] X Research source
- Make sure the wound is fully-healed before you massage it. Otherwise you could cause more damage.
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Use compression bandages to flatten raised scars. These coverings, made of silicon or a similar material, can press the scar down and make it flatter. This is a demonstrated scar treatment and one that dermatologists usually try before moving on to other methods. [3] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to sourceAdvertisement
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Apply sunblock to the scar so it doesn’t darken in the sun. Scars are sensitive to the sun, so always cover yours in sunblock before going out on sunny days. This won’t heal the scars, but it’ll prevent them from getting darker and more noticeable. [4] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Moisturize the scar so it doesn’t dry out. While this may not make the scar disappear entirely, it can reduce redness and make the scar less visible. Try using a natural moisturizer like aloe vera, jojoba oil, or coconut oil once a day. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
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Rub vitamin E cream onto the scar daily. Vitamin E is a popular scar treatment, although scientific trials show that it isn’t as effective as some claim. Still, some people report that their scars clear up after topical vitamin E treatment. [6] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- Vitamin E cream is only for scars, not active wounds. Applying the cream to a wound can impair healing and even cause a scar. [7] X Research source
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Apply manuka honey to the scar and see if that helps. While clinical trials have shown that honey doesn’t have a significant effect on scar formation, some people find that it makes scars less visible. Try leaving a thin layer of raw manuka honey on the scar for an hour each day and washing it off with warm water to see if that works. [8] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceAdvertisement
Preventing Scars from Forming
While scars can be tricky to get rid of, it’s possible to prevent them altogether. Proper wound care can stop scars from forming in the first place, so you won’t have to worry about them later on. Take steps to keep all cuts clean and infection-free, and don’t pick at them during the healing process. Major wounds might still scar, but you can stop smaller cuts and scrapes from scarring by following some simple steps while they heal.
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Keep all wounds clean to prevent infections. Infections increase inflammation and make scarring more likely. Wash all your cuts with clean water and soap, and keep them covered with a bandage until they heal. [9] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
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Avoid using alcohol, peroxide, or other harsh antiseptics on wounds. These strong chemicals inflame your skin and can actually cause scars. Stick with antibacterial soap to clean your wounds. [10] X Research source
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Use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist while it heals. This helps protect your skin and prevent scab formation, which heals the wound faster. [11] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- You could also use antibacterial creams, which moisturize the wound and prevent infections. If you clean the wound daily, however, you don’t need antibacterial creams.
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Avoid picking at scabs or acne. Let all of your cuts or pimples heal on their own. Picking at them slows the healing time and can cause scars. [12] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
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Get stitches for major wounds. Deep puncture or laceration wounds, or cuts that won’t stop bleeding require medical attention. If necessary, the doctor will stitch the wound and help prevent a scar. [13] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
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Treat your acne with gentle washes and creams. Acne can be a major cause for scars, especially if you pop or pick at your pimples. Resist this temptation and treat your acne with face washes instead. [14] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- If you have serious acne that won’t go away, visit your dermatologist for further treatment.
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Medical Takeaways
It’s understandable that you’d want to reduce your scars without resorting to medical treatments. Unfortunately, most home remedies don’t get rid of scars altogether, but they can make them less visible. If this is good enough for you, then these natural treatments might be just what you need. Try a few of them out and see if they work for you. If not, then see your dermatologist for a professional scar-removal treatment. In the meantime, make sure you properly care for any cuts and scrapes you receive to avoid any new scars.
Expert Q&A
References
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4377450/
- ↑ https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/S_T/Suture-care
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/everyday-cuts-and-scrapes-how-to-prevent-scarring
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/expert-answers/acne-scars/faq-20058101
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scars/treatment/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scars/treatment/
- ↑ https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-conditions/scars
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5698533/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/wound-care-minimize-scars
- ↑ https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-conditions/scars
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/wound-care-minimize-scars
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/everyday-cuts-and-scrapes-how-to-prevent-scarring
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/everyday-cuts-and-scrapes-how-to-prevent-scarring
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm-treat/scars/self-care
