How to treat Facial Scars at Home Different Types, Their Causes, and How to Treat

We all know that scars are a part of life. Whether we get them from an injury, surgery, or acne, they can be tricky to deal with. What’s even more difficult is when the scar is on our face. Facial scars can be difficult to cover up and often cause embarrassment and insecurity. But don’t worry – there are ways to treat facial scars at home without spending a fortune on expensive treatments! In this blog post, we’ll explore the different types of facial scars and how you can treat them using common household items. Keep reading for more information!

Scarring is a natural component of the healing process. Your body creates tissue to mend damaged skin and bridge gaps caused by accidents. Scars occur in a variety of sizes and forms. Accidents, burns, surgeries, acne, and disease can all cause them. Most scars go away with time. Scars can be less apparent with a variety of treatments.

How Do Scars Form?

After your skin has been injured or damaged, scars emerge as part of the healing process. The skin heals itself by producing new tissue to bring the wound together and fill in any gaps left by the damage. Collagen is the most common protein found in scar tissue.

Scars come in a variety of forms and sizes. Some scars are painful and large, while others are scarcely noticeable. Keloid scars are more common among persons with dark skin (particularly those of African, Asian, or Hispanic ancestry) and those with red hair. Keloids are elevated scars that spread beyond the place of injury. Your scars may be ugly and can make walking challenging depending on their size, nature, and placement. Not all scars need to be treated, and many of them go away with time. Treatments might assist if a scar bothers you or causes discomfort.

What are the signs of a scar?

On lighter skin, scars are frequently pink or red when they initially appear. The pinkish tone diminishes with time, and the scar becomes slightly darker or lighter than the skin. Scars can look like dark spots on persons with dark skin. Scars can itch and be uncomfortable or irritating at times. Various variables, including determining the appearance of a scar.

A scar is created by an injury or an event, such as surgery, a burn, or severe acne.

The wound’s size, severity, and placement.

Stitches or bandages may have been used to treat the wound.

Your age, genes, ethnicity, and overall health are all factors to consider.

By keeping a watch on a region of skin that has healed after an accident, you may readily diagnose most scars. Scars are generally darker, lighter, or pinker than their skin.

Your healthcare practitioner will perform a physical examination to assess scar-producing complications. The type of scar will be determined by the size, texture, and colour of the scar. The type of scar, its location, what created it, and how long you’ve had it all influence the treatment options.

Contracture: A contracture scar occurs when the skin tightens due to a burn (contract). These scars can make moving difficult, particularly if they creep into muscles and nerves or cover a joint.

Depressed (atrophic):

Chickenpox or acne are common causes of recessed scars. They resemble spherical pits or minor skin indentations. They’re also known as ice pick scars, and they usually appear on the face. Because the skin loses collagen and suppleness as you age, acne scars may become more visible.

Flat: This sort of scar flattens down as it heals, even if it is somewhat elevated at first. Flat scars are frequently pink or crimson in colour. They may gradually lighten or darken in comparison to the surrounding skin.

Keloids: These scars protrude from the skin’s surface and extend beyond the incision site. Scar tissue that has developed out of control can become big and restrict movement.

Raised (hypertrophic): When you run your finger over a hypertrophic scar, you can feel it. These elevated scars may reduce in size over time, but they never entirely disappear. They don’t expand or extend beyond the damaged region, unlike keloids.

Stretch marks

The connective tissues underneath the skin might be injured when the skin expands or contracts rapidly. Stretch marks may appear during pregnancy, adolescence, or after a significant weight increase or loss. Breasts, stomach, thighs, and upper arms are the most common places where they occur.

Scars can be made smaller or less apparent using a variety of treatments. Your doctor may suggest a single therapy or a mix of treatments. Treatment for scars is determined by a number of circumstances, including:

The scar’s kind, size, and placement.

Whether or not the scar is giving you discomfort or limiting your mobility.

Your age, as well as the scar’s age.

Treatment options for facial scars

When a wound heals, it may leave a scar behind. Scars on the face can be created by a variety of things, including traumas, acne, burns, or surgery. Due to the continual exposure of your face to the outdoors, scars on this portion of your body may take longer to heal. While other parts of your body may be covered or protected while a wound heals, your face is exposed to the elements for most of the day. It may not be able to entirely shield facial wounds while they heal, and keeping treatments (e.g., ointments, lotions) from rubbing away may be problematic.

The good news is that you have a number of alternatives when it comes to treating facial scars.

Natural Remedies for Scars

It’s vital to keep in mind that these natural scar removal solutions aren’t guaranteed to entirely remove scars. Some of the natural cures suggested work, but you must stay up with and repeat these acts on a regular basis to notice results.

1. Aloe Vera

Moisturizing and calming therapies help scars heal, and Aloe Vera has both… plus a little more Aloe Vera’s antioxidants help to relieve swelling and redness, while its natural astringent characteristics help to eliminate excess oil and dead skin cells.

Aloe Vera may also be used to treat sunburns and can even be consumed if properly diluted.

2. Coconut Oil

Any oil will do as long as it’s high in omega fatty acids, which enter and hydrate the skin, restoring its radiance. Coconut oil is perfect for this, and many users advocate making it a part of your daily routine.

3. Baking Soda

What role does baking soda play in scar removal? By serving as a natural exfoliant and adjusting your pH. It removes dead skin cells and leaves you feeling refreshed without causing damage to the area surrounding the scar. Make a mixture with two parts water and one part baking soda and scrub it on the afflicted region for a minute before washing entirely and gently.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has long been marketed as a versatile natural product that can be used for anything from cleaning to skincare. Mix it with honey and apply it on acne scars, then let it on for 10 minutes. For optimal results, repeat this process up to three times every day.

5. Onion Extract

Onion Extract is another wonderful. Onion Extract has been shown to drastically reduce the appearance of scars after only a few weeks of regular usage, thanks to bioflavonoids like cephalin and kaempferol.

Onion Extract is also beneficial in the treatment of acne. It possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-redness, and anti-sore effects.

6. Honey

It’s a popular component to incorporate into your skincare routine because of its natural moisturizing properties and encouragement of tissue regeneration.

Honey is wonderful in its natural state, and the darker it is, the more therapeutic benefits it possesses. Honey and cinnamon make an excellent skin regeneration therapy that keeps skin smooth and clean.

7. Lemon

Lemon is an excellent choice for lightening scars. It contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), which means it provides the skin-healing characteristics you require. This lightener, often known as a natural bleach, promotes new cell formation and restores skin flexibility.

Because lemon can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, use a daily moisturizer with SPF before going out during the day to give your scar a fighting chance at healing.

8. Essential Oils

The sort of Essential Oil you use depends on the type of scar you have. It might range from lavender to tea tree to carrot seed. Oils mixed together are also a fantastic alternative. To help heal your scar, blend apricot oil with neroli, rose, and lavender oil (1-2 drops each) for light and an aromatic daily moisturizer. Always use essential oils topically and in conjunction with a carrier oil.

9. Shea Butter

We all know that Shea Butter may help women avoid or erase stretch marks, so why not scars?

Apply it on a regular basis to enjoy it is hydrating and brightening benefits.

Use unfiltered raw Shea Butter instead of refined Shea Butter if you can locate it. Any nutrients that have been broken down or destroyed have been refined. The additional scent and other ingredients in store-bought products generally annoy.

10. Turmeric Powder

Turmeric is particularly beneficial for acne scars because it includes curcumin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory component that inhibits the overproduction of melanin, which darkens and pigments your scar. This helps the skin glow and cures discolouration. It’s also antiseptic, so it doesn’t irritate your skin. Combine it with some of the honey we talked about previously! Simply combine equal amounts of Honey and Turmeric (1 tsp each) and apply on the skin for around 20 minutes to exfoliate and eliminate dead skin cells. Rinse with cold water completely.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is one of the most popular and effective treatments for facial scars. Unlike microdermabrasion kits purchased at the drugstore, Dermabrasion is done by a dermatologist. They exfoliate the top layer of skin on your face with a wire brush or a wheel.

The following are some of the dermabrasion side effects:

infection

darkening of the skin

redness and swelling

uneven skin tone

Peels with chemicals

Chemical peels are made up of mild acids applied to the skin in a single layer. As a result, the epidermis (top layer of skin) exfoliates and peels away, revealing a new layer of skin.

Chemical peels are divided into three categories:

Deep peel: Because it penetrates deeper into the skin, this peel uses phenol and is the most common type for scars.

Superficial peel: This has fewer side effects and may help with minor scar discoloration.

Medium peel: The glycolic acid in this peel is most commonly used for antiaging treatments, though it can also be used for discoloration.

According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, deep peels are so intense that they can take up to three weeks to heal. Your face will be bandaged, and you’ll have to change the dressings several times a day. Antiviral medications may also be required to avoid illness.

Chemical peels are widely available because they are a popular skin treatment. However, only a board-certified dermatologist should perform a peel for scar treatment.

Laser resurfacing

The purpose of laser resurfacing, like chemical peels and dermabrasion, is to remove the top layer of skin. Unlike acids and tools, laser resurfacing removes the skin with high-powered laser beams.

Erbium and carbon dioxide laser resurfacing are the two types. While erbium is the safest option for repairing scars on the face, carbon dioxide appears to be the most effective. You’ll need to keep the area bandaged until it heals entirely after you leave the doctor’s office.

Exploring plastic surgery

Another therapeutic option is plastic surgery. Unlike the other techniques, surgery is a more invasive operation in which scar tissue is surgically removed or reshaped using a scalpel. Your doctor may remove the scar or the epidermis or even reposition it to lessen its appearance, depending on your goals and the severity of the scar. This operation, unlike the others, may need you to consult a plastic surgeon rather than a dermatologist. Always seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon with a track record of success in treating facial scars.

Using Foundation To Cover Scars

Foundation is perfect for concealing tiny scars that don’t require a lot of coverage. The goal, like with concealer, is to ensure that your foundation is an excellent match for your skin tone.

Choosing a foundation with a formula that will give all-day coverage is critical. You may rest confident that your scar will be hidden during the day.

When concealing acne scars, a medium to full coverage foundation is ideal. A liquid foundation is good since it can soften the look of scars while also filling in the texture. A high-coverage foundation may dramatically improve the appearance of your skin. It conceals redness as well as an uneven surface. However, you should prepare your skin before applying foundation. Any indentations will be flattened out with the use of a primer.

Avoid foundations that are described as dewy, glowy, or radiant when concealing scars. Instead of hiding your scars, a foundation with a high amount of radiance will highlight them. Choose a matte foundation that will absorb light and lessen the look of your scar. They’re not going to draw any notice to the region.

Using Concealer To Cover Scars

A concealer is an excellent tool for concealing scars. Because of its intense pigmentation, it covers any discoloration and blends well with your natural skin tone.

Finding a concealer that matches your skin tone is even more critical when it comes to concealing scars. You must pick carefully because of the increased pigment in the scar. If you can’t locate your particular hue, buy a few and mix them to create the ideal match. Make sure

the area is clean before applying concealer. To ensure no surplus oil, apply a thin coating of powder to the scar. Depending on the scar you have, you may need to apply many layers. To avoid the region looking cakey, make sure the layers are thin. You may softly dab the layers on, pausing to let them set in between.

Tips for preventing and reducing the appearance of facial scars

Although you can’t always avoid injuries that result in scars, you can lessen the chances of a scar developing after an incident. If a scar does appear, it can be made less apparent with proper treatment.

See your healthcare provider:

Visit your provider for an evaluation if you have a wound that may cause a scar. Stitches or special bandages may be required to keep the skin together while it heals. Scarring can be reduced with stitches. When caring for sutures, make sure to follow your provider’s recommendations. To avoid infection, you may require oral or topical antibiotics, depending on the nature and location of the wound.

Clean the wound:

Soap and water should be used to clean the area. Remove any dirt or dried blood from the wound and cover it with a bandage to keep germs away. As the wound heals, make sure to replace the bandage often.

Keep the wound moist:

Applying petroleum jelly or moist burn pads to the wound will prevent it from drying out and becoming a scab. Scabs can exacerbate scarring.

Protect it from the sun:

To preserve the scar, cover it or apply sunscreen. A scar might darken as a result of exposure to the sun. Skin cancer is more likely to occur after repeated exposure.

Keep up your nutrition.

Low levels of vitamin D or C in the body can exacerbate scarring, and you’ll need enough high-quality protein in your diet to help your skin produce the nutrients it needs to repair.

Do scars fade, shrink or become less noticeable over time?

A scar may diminish to the point where it is scarcely visible, but it never entirely disappears. The location, size, and kind of a scar determine how it evolves.

Do facial scars go away?

Most scars fade over time and don't cause long-term health problems. How a scar changes depends on its location, size and type. A scar may fade so much that you can barely see it, but it never completely goes away. Some scars cause problems months or years later.

Can facial scars be fixed?

Dermabrasion and laser resurfacing can make rough or elevated scars less prominent by removing part of the upper layers of skin with an abrading tool or laser light. The scar will remain, but it will be smoother and less visible.

How do you fade scars fast?

While existing scars cannot be waved away via magic wand, you can speed up the fading process by regularly applying certain topical creams, lotions, and gels to them. Some common ingredients in these scar treatments include aloe vera, cocoa butter, Vitamin E, honey, and other hydrating materials.

Does Vitamin E help with scars?

While vitamin E may help moisturize the skin, research indicates that vitamin E oils and supplements have no notable effect on scars.

Can a scar spread?

Truncal scars are known to spread with time, likely secondary to the greater tension inherent to this body area. Orientating a scar along the Langer lines is known to reduce tension and improve scar outcome, whereas scars orientated against these lines are subject to increased widening.