Injuries, burns, acne, pimples, insect bites, chickenpox, and operations can all leave behind scars that look unpleasant and are challenging to deal with. So, many people want to get rid of old scars even though these marks of experience are harmless. Dr. Nadir Qazi, DO, is a board-certified physician and seasoned scar/acne scar specialist. He says, “Scars can fade throughout a one-two year period but typically do not disappear entirely on their own. After two years, a scar is considered fully mature. The presence of new collagen forming the scar can increase its elasticity and illuminate the scar on the skin even more.” While the scars do not completely fade, they do become lighter over time. We’ve included a list of natural therapies that can help lighten scars and make them less apparent in this post. Take a look.
Types Of Scars
There are different ways by which you can sustain scars. The different types of scars are:
Atrophic Scars: Examples of this kind of scars are stretch marks and pitted acne scars. They create sunken or indentation marks on the body (1).
Keloidal Scars: These are large, dark, elevated, and benign tumorsi Non-cancerous growths that stay in their primary location, grow slowly, and have smooth and distinct borders. that appear behind the ears, back and chest. These scars can also go beyond and grow outside the affected area. These are difficult to correct/revise by surgical methods (2).
Hypertrophic Scars: These are the most common type of scars. They are raised firm growths that do not go beyond the borders of the original injury and are characterized by modular structures (3).
According to a global survey conducted on 11,100 participants, 48.5% of participants reported having at least one scar. The most commonly reported locations for recent scars in women were the abdomen (20.4%) and face (15.9%). While 50.8% of women reported that their most recent scar was caused by an accident or disease, while 35% of women reported their scarring was a result of surgeries.
How To Get Rid Of Old Scars With Natural Remedies
1. Lemon
Lemons are rich in bioactive compounds that exhibit antioxidant properties (4). These can help reduce the scars that appear due to acne, pimples, or zits and repair your skin.
3-4 teaspoons lemon juice Cotton ball
Repeat this 2-3 times daily. Note: Lemon juice can cause a stinging sensation on your skin, so you must use this remedy only if you are not allergic to it.
2. Honey
Raw honey is an age-old therapy to fade scars. It contains bioactive compounds that stimulate tissue regeneration and can aid in treating wounds (5). Baking soda acts as an exfoliant and helps in lightening the scar.
1 teaspoon raw honey 1 teaspoon baking soda A small towel Hot water
Do this twice a day.
3. Onion
Onions have anti-inflammatory properties and also inhibit the production of collagen (6), which in turn helps in fading scars (7). Onion juice You can do this 3-4 times a day.
4. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory properties (8). This may help reduce skin abnormalities, irritation, and scars and encourage the regeneration of new skin cells. Shreedevi, a vlogger, shared her experience of using aloe vera for her acne scars for 1 week. She said, “I must say the tan and all of it has faded away. The marks have faded away a little (ⅰ).” Aloe vera gel Reapply 2-3 times daily.
5. Gooseberry
Gooseberry (amla) is rich in vitamin C that may help reduce the formation of scars. It can reduce the appearance of scars due to its tyrosinasei A copper-containing enzyme that plays a key role in the first step of melanin (skin pigment) production. inhibitory effect (9). Hence, it may lighten old scars and also prevent the formation of new ones
Gooseberry powder Olive oil
You can use this face pack every alternate day.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil contains phytochemicals that may help reduce surgical and acne scars gradually (10). It improves blood circulation to the affected area and also protects it from infections. Furthermore, may also help with skin disfigurement.
2-3 drops tea tree oil 1 teaspoon water or olive oil
Repeat this every night before going to bed.
7. Coconut Oil
Using coconut oil for scars may help to some extent. The oil contains phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and vitamins that can promote the growth of skin cells and tissues (11). This may help eliminate old scars, skin residual marks, and wound remnants, and its antimicrobial properties can prevent further breakouts. 1 teaspoon virgin coconut oil Do this every night before going to bed.
8. Vitamin Supplements
Vitamin supplements can help a great deal in minimizing facial scars. Vitamin E exhibits wound-healing properties (12). These properties may help reverse the effects of acne scars and blemishes on your skin and leave it looking clearer over time. You can take a doctor’s prescribed dose of vitamin E supplements. You can also consume foods rich in vitamins like green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fish, carrots, and avocados. Alternatively, you may also use vitamin E oil for scars topically to minimize their appearance. However, before doing so, always perform a patch test.
9. Potato Juice
Potato juice is rich in phytochemicals that can cleanse your skin and lighten hyperpigmentation or spots caused by acne and pimples. This makes your skin look replenished and clearer (13). 2- tablespoons potato juice You can apply this juice 2-3 times a week.
10. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil possesses antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties (14). This may help fight any inflammatory response to infections on your skin and heal the affected area and eliminate scars over time.
2-3 drops lavender oil 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
Do this 2-3 times daily.
11. Rosehip Oil
Rosehip oil is composed of bioactive compounds that exhibit wound-healing properties (15). It is observed that it can speed up the transition of macrophages phenotypes that can help improve scars over time.
2-3 drops rosehip oil 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
You can do this 2-3 times daily. Apart from these home remedies, there are various treatment options available to get rid of scars. In the next section, we will explore medical treatment options for scars.
Medical Treatment Options For Old Scars
Here are some of the commonly used methods you can opt for:
Over The Counter Drugs
There are several OTC drugs or creams that can be used to fade old scars, but use them only under the guidance of the doctor or a pharmacist. Mederma is one such OTC ointment that can be used to fade scars. It is a chemical formulation containing aqueous extracts of onion and is widely used in eliminating post-surgical scars (16). Consulting a certified dermatologist is recommended so that you are prescribed the correct type of cream to remove your old scars.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are known to lighten old scars by using chemical exfoliants and improve skin imperfections and texture irregularities. This procedure also removes the dullness from the skin and can improve overall skin texture (17). Many cosmetic clinics offer various types of chemical peels depending on the nature of the scar you want to get rid of. This method works best for superficial scars. You may choose glycolic acid to treat your scars. It is a gentle acid that helps exfoliate your skin and encourages the growth of new, healthy skin cells. This acid penetrates your skin and helps fade those pesky marks over time. It works by peeling away the outer skin layer, where the scar tissue hangs, and promoting the growth of fresh, even-toned skin (18). Glycolic acid, with regular use, may help make your scars less noticeable and leave you with smoother skin.
Laser Treatments
This method is used on persistent and stubborn scars. Laser therapy employs the use of photothermal energy to stimulate the remodeling of collageni A protein produced by the body that is responsible for providing structure and support to your skin. and elastini A stretchy protein that is responsible for proving elasticity to lungs, tendons, ligaments, and skin. in the scar tissue and skin (19). Different lasers are used for different types of scars. Dr. Qazi says, “Lasers are the best ways to remove old scars. Many lasers operate on high heat, however, and need to be adjusted for color and tone of the skin.” Thus, one must be careful while choosing a treatment method.
Prevention Tips
Here are a few tips you can bear in mind if you are wondering how to prevent scarring:
If you have sustained a cut/scrape, ensure that you keep the wound covered and clean until it is healed. Moisturize the area regularly to keep the skin soft and promote healing. You could apply OTC ointments or petroleum jelly to the wounded area to minimize scarring (20). Always keep the wound dressing clean and hygienic. Avoid picking at scabs, as this can delay healing and worsen scarring. If you had to get stitches for your wound, consult your doctor regarding care for the affected site after it is healed to reduce scarring.
Can scars completely disappear? Find out in the infographic below about the medical treatments you can explore to reduce the appearance of old scars. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team No, scars usually don’t disappear entirely, but they can fade over time with proper care and treatments, becoming less noticeable. Can Vaseline remove old scars? Yes, applying Vaseline to scars during the healing process can help seal moisture. This helps reduce dryness, improves the appearance of scars, and makes skin look smoother. Dr. Qazi adds, “For stubborn acne scars, Vaseline and other petroleum jelly products can visually improve the outer appearance of older scars but typically don’t erase them completely. Vaseline is great for aftercare to reduce the opportunity for scarring from things like a cut. However, it will not completely remove old scars. Laser treatments can eliminate old scars to stimulate new skin cell reproduction in order to replace the existing damaged skin layer.” Do scars fade with age? Yes. Although complete removal of scar may not be possible, scars gradually do fade with time. Dr. Qazi says, “Collagen in the body gradually decreases as we age. Scars can potentially worsen due to a continual loss of collagen in the skin. Fine lines, wrinkles, and a loss of collagen all impact the appearance of scars. If not corrected early, scars can worsen as you age.” Does Vitamin E help with scarring? Vitamin E speeds up wound healing and improves the cosmetic appearance of injury marks. Dr. Qazi opines, “Scientifically, vitamin E has not shown to treat or visually improve the appearance of scars in studies.” Does Mederma really work on scars? Mederma is an over-the-counter skin cream that is widely used to treat scars. But studies have shown that it is not as effective as petroleum jelly is in fading away scars (20). Do scars go away if you exfoliate? Scars may not completely fade away with exfoliation. However, exfoliating scars helps remove dead skin cells and improve skin tone and texture. Do apply moisturizer after exfoliating for smoother skin. How can I remove scars from the face permanently? To remove scars permanently, you can go for powerful methods like laser treatment, surgical treatments, or chemical peels, depending on the type, size, cause, placement, and age of the scar. However, keep in mind that some scars are difficult to remove and can only be faded or lightened due to their nature.
Illustration: Best Ways To Get Rid Of Old Scars Treatment & Prevention
Old scars can be difficult to treat, but there are several ways to get rid of them. Check out the video below to learn about the effective treatments available to reduce the appearance of old scars.
