A scar, also known as a cicatrix, is a skin growth that appears on top of a wound when normal skin cannot repair itself. Scarring occurs after nearly every cut or abrasion, but sometimes it's not noticeable. Other times, scars can be pink or white, and shinier than normal skin. Although scars will remain on the body, it is possible to reduce their appearance quickly through home remedies, over-the-counter methods or the help of your dermatologist.
Home Remedies
Aloe vera is a tried-and-true home remedy for scars, and it's often a key ingredient in over-the-counter scar removal products as well. Aloe vera speeds cell growth and moisturizes the area, allowing more skin to grow over a wound. It works best when the scar has just barely formed, or before the wound has finished healing. Apply the gel from an aloe plant or bottled gel directly to your skin; the gel from an aloe plant contains more vitamins. Break the leaf from an aloe plant, remove a generous amount of the gel from the inside of the leaf and rub it on the afflicted area three times a day. Wrap the area with a gauze bandage if necessary. The scar should appear lighter and less noticeable in several weeks.
Onion is another home remedy with healing properties for scars. It contains anti-inflammatory properties that slow the growth of scar tissue, allowing normal skin growth. You will find onion extract in several over-the-counter scar treatments. Purchase onion extract at your local health food store or online (see Resources section). Apply the extract to the afflicted area three times a day. The scar should appear lighter and less noticeable in several weeks.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Over-the-counter scar treatments an be effective in reducing the appearance of scars, but they might not always erase them, especially if the scar is very prominent. According to Lawrence E. Gibson, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, scar creams are usually not effective in reducing scars, and no scar will be completely erased.
Over-the-counter treatments can minimize the appearance of some scars. Your doctor might prescribe an over-the-counter product in conjunction with his treatment to maximize results.
Dermatologist Treatments
No scar looks exactly the same, so dermatologists have several methods to reduce their appearance. Some, such as acne scars, make divots into the skin. These scars are treated with punch grafts, placing a healthy piece of tissue from a different part of the body over the scar.
Scars can be treated with chemical peels, laser resurfacing and dermabrasion. Chemical peels use an acidic substance to burn away the top layer of skin, allowing it to grow and heal normally after about a month. Laser resurfacing uses a laser tool to burn away the surface of the skin, allowing skin to heal more smoothly. Healing takes several weeks. Dermabrasion is the application of an abrasive liquid, allowing skin growth over the scarred area. The healing time depends on the severity of your scar and the depth of the dermabrasion.
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