Apply sunscreen to the wound after it has healed.
Sun protection may help reduce red or brown discoloration and help the scar fade faster. Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply frequently.
Lasers and other light treatments: This is becoming the go-to treatment for all types of scars because these treatments can: Prevent raised scars and keloids. Reduce the appearance of existing raised scars and keloids.
In time, some collagen breaks down at the site of the wound and the blood supply reduces. The scar gradually becomes smoother and softer. Although scars are permanent, they can fade over a period of up to 2 years. It's unlikely they'll fade any more after this time.
Treatments can reduce a scar's size or appearance, but the scar will never completely go away. Some treatments prevent a scar from forming as a wound heals. Scar treatments include: Dermabrasion: A common acne scar treatment, dermabrasion removes the top layer of skin by gently “sanding” the skin.
Scar massage is a way of softening and flattening scars. It can stop scar tissue build up and help make scars less noticeable. Your scar or scars will continue to grow and change for about twelve to eighteen months, so the earlier and more regularly you massage your scar, the less the chance of long-term problems.
Bio-Oil helps to improve the appearance of new or old scars; whether from surgery, accidents, burns, insect bites, scratches or conditions such as acne or chickenpox. Although younger scars will have a greater chance of improvement, studies have shown that older scars also benefit from regular use of Bio-Oil.
One tip for taking care of scars is to use a topical ointment. Cocoa butter cream and Vaseline are most often used to help reduce the appearance of scars. Applying the ointment daily will help heal scars but will not make them invisible.
It can take up to 12-18 months after your injury or operation for a scar to heal. A normal scar will become darker initially and after a period of time this will start to fade. Dark scars can remain for years or indefinitely in people with darker skin.
Exfoliation is an excellent option for those suffering from superficial scars and scars due to acne. Although exfoliation won't completely remove scars, it can diminish the appearance of scars by removing the dead cells on the skin's surface and revealing the healthier layer of cells underneath.
After a scar is first formed, the body continues to touch up its work where it can - which is why scars fade slightly over the years when left alone. But scar tissue does not get replaced by this process2, which means that most scars, when left to heal naturally, will never fully disappear.
Factors that can slow the wound healing process include: Dead skin (necrosis) – dead skin and foreign materials interfere with the healing process. Infection – an open wound may develop a bacterial infection. The body fights the infection rather than healing the wound.
Wounds need oxygen to heal correctly, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves exposing the body to 100% oxygen at a pressure that is greater than normal. This therapy is the best at speeding up the healing of surgical wounds.
Vitamin E was discovered in 1922 by researchers at the University of California who suggested it had beneficial properties for skin, especially in support of wound healing and scar repair. It is the main lipid-soluble antioxidant in the skin.
Most of the products are reusable and will continue to work for six to eight weeks. You may need to carry on using silicone for several months, depending on how quickly your scars respond to the treatment. Your therapist will continue to assess you and give advice.
Step 2 - Silicone
Stay away from brand name scar creams. Unless they have silicone in them, they probably don't work any better than vaseline, because anything that moisturizes a scar is likely going to improve the scar's appearance.
Some people use certain essential oils — such as Helichrysum, lavender, or tea tree oils — on the skin to promote wound healing and reduce the appearance of scars.
“Usually the scars will heal rather quickly - within the course of a few weeks to one or two months - but you may not see final results for up to a year. Individual factors also influence how quickly your body is able to recover from a wound.” In older patients, or where the skin is more lax, scars settle more rapidly.
Scars go through numerous changes as they mature, but they are permanent in nature5. Bio-Oil Skincare Oil is formulated to help improve the appearance of scars, but it can never remove them. Bio-Oil Skincare Oil should be applied to the affected areas, twice daily, for a minimum of 3 months.
Like any other vinegar, apple cider vinegar is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to fight bacteria and fungi. To treat acne scars, mixing apple cider vinegar with honey and leaving it on the skin for 10 minutes, 3 times a day will help lighten the spots and eventually remove the acne scars.
Blemishes and scars
Applying toothpaste will not only cause severe dryness and skin irritation but it can also leave you with scars that take months to heal. Sometimes the damage can be so bad that you may have to visit a dermatologist to fix it.