6 home remedies to reduce scars and care for your skin

Scars form when there is an injury or trauma to the skin, especially when the dermis (deeper layers of the skin) is damaged. The process of scar formation is very simplified. Blood flows to the wound site and begins to clot. Fibroblasts, extremely small cells that help produce several different types of connective tissue and protein, begin to lay the foundation for collagen.

Collagen is the main structural protein found in our skin. However, the new collagen that forms scar tissue is different from normal collagen and is inferior in its action to ‘normal’ skin. Still, it does its job – which is pretty impressive when you think about it.

Scar tissue looks different because the collagen that is deposited is made up of fibers that lie parallel to each other, instead of the usual random cross-woven pattern that exists in intact skin. The scar tissue is strong, not as elastic or flexible, nor do things like sweat glands or hair follicles grow in it.

Different treatments and medications and their results vary greatly from individual to individual, as it all depends on genetics, how you got the scar, how long you had it, and so on. So don’t be afraid to play with these to see it work best!

Scars against hyperpigmentation

Some of these drugs are considered hyperpigmentation when additional pigment is deposited at the wound site. Hyperpigmentation often occurs after a severe fight with acne and can give the appearance of scars or scars.

1. So this Marula oil

Long, long before it became popular, lettuce oil was traditionally used by the people of Tsonga in South Africa and Mozambique, where it is still used by many peoples in the region. It is used for skin care – as a cleansing or massage oil, as a moisturizer – and even as a dietary supplement. From food to medicine, the lettuce tree and the oil from its fruits have a long history of extensive use.

The oil comes from the picked fruits that hold the nut in which the core lies. The oil is extracted from this kernel and due to the hard fibrous composition of the nut, a lot of work is done in the extraction process. Once the core is removed, it is manually cold pressed for oil, resulting in a small amount of valuables.

The oil is extremely light, silky, absorbs quickly into the skin and penetrates deep. It has many uses, and in the case of scars, it reduces redness and inflammation and softens hard tissue. Oleic acid increases the ability of the oil to penetrate the skin, allowing other fatty acids to be absorbed and do their job. Use it plain or as a base oil – I will often add it to my scar butter.

You will need…
– Lettuce oil

Instructions

Rinse the scar and the area around it with warm water. Dry. Start with less oil and add more than you need – if I plan to rub it into something, I use more, if I apply it and let it soak itself, I use a little less. You don’t need much, just enough to cover the scar well. Reapply up to three times a day (or as needed.)

2. Bring baobab oil

This precious oil, like Marula oil, contains a lot of essential fatty acids. 33% of the seed content is oil, with most of these oils being oleic and linoleic [1]. Olein and linoleum will soften the skin – in this case hard scar tissue – and moisturize the epidermis where the visible part of the scar is located. All fatty acids help regenerate the outer epithelial tissues (basically the cells that make up the outside of your skin), which is part of why it is so known for its ability to heal our skin and reduce scarring. It is thick and rich and stays on the skin longer after application. Reuse it as a base or bracket or on its own!

You will need…

– Baobab oil

Instructions

Rinse the area with warm water and pat dry. Apply a light coat with enough baobab oil to cover the scar. Remember that it will sit on the skin for a while after application.

3. Fenugreek paste

Fenugreek has always been one of those medications I just avoided. Not through my own fault – the name always distracted me for some reason. But over time, I managed to get over this oddity of mine and now I found it a useful ingredient that could lie around. It is used for a variety of diseases, from relieving indigestion to reducing it dandruff. It can also help with inflammation and skin irritation, such as scarring. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it also helps lighten the skin and thus reduces the appearance of scarring or hyperpigmentation. In this case, preparing the seeds into a paste is the most effective way to reap their benefits.

You will need…

– Fenugreek seeds
-Hot water
– Something to grind the seeds

Instructions

How many fenugreeks you will need depends entirely on the size of the scar. Start with a tablespoon or two, and if more, store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Soak the seeds overnight in warm water or until soft (even slimy). Drain and mash into a paste – a mortar and pestle work best for this. If the porridge is too thick, you can add just a little warm water at a time until it has a suitable consistency – thick but easily spreadable, not runny. Rinse the area with warm water and pat dry. Apply enough to cover the scar and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
I suggest using your favorite lotion / moisturizer after this as it can dry out.

4. Fantastic fish oil

Ah, fish oil. It’s one of those medications that “will heal anything that hurts you”. Fish oil, which is ingested through the diet and applied directly to scars, which is rich in our favorite fatty acids, can help reduce their appearance. Some research has shown that they can even accelerate the breakdown of fibroblasts, which are responsible for depositing all of this extra collagen, even in both severe scars and keloids. If you can take it as a dietary supplement, I always say go. It’s also worth trying locally. In addition to fibroblasts, it will moisturize the scar well, and moisturizing means a better environment for healing.

You will need…

– High quality fish oil

Instructions

Apply fish oil directly to the scar and / or take the appropriate dose for the dietary supplement.

5. Just plain lemon juice

This one should not be surprised. Lemon juice is known to brighten the skin among other benefits. This is because it is thought to disrupt melanogenesis – essentially the process by which melanin, a pigment that darkens the skin, is formed. It is also said to reduce or break down existing melanin in the skin. Be careful after applying lemon juice, as you may become a little more sensitive to the sun after use.

You will need…

-1 fresh lemon

Instructions

Squeeze out the lemon juice. Rinse the affected area and then apply directly. Do this up to twice a day as needed and be patient as it is not immediate. Store the rest of the juice in the refrigerator for later use.

6. Sunscreen or Cover Yourself!

This is a more (very useful) prevention than a cure. When the sun, especially its ultraviolet rays, hits your skin, it damages it. Your body, as always well equipped, rushes to defend and protect your sensitive skin by depositing melanin, a darker pigment that will provide greater protection from harmful rays. The skin of your scar is sensitive and easily darkens, so cover or use sunscreen so you can prevent sunburn or unwanted melanin, making it more visible. Tanning or burning in the end * no * will help your goal!

You will need…

– Sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30

Instructions

Apply sunscreen to the scar before exposing it to sunlight, or cover it.

And above all…

Be patient. There is currently no natural remedy or medical technology that can ensure complete scar removal. While some could certainly help, our bodies do their job quite amazingly. Trust your body – it knows what it is doing! When it comes to severely damaged or non-regenerative tissues, it replaces them with connective tissue deposition (think collagen!). This is a process called replacement – also known as scarring. Regeneration is a type of treatment in which new growth can completely restore at least parts of the damaged tissue to a normal state [2]. Most of the time, these two appear in tandem during the healing process.

In 2 sometimes up to 3 years, the scar will continue to heal, replace, and regenerate. So don’t panic about the scar. Get a little help from good medications, trust your body and time, be patient and everything will heal.

Examples of types of scars

Below are some of the different types of scars that appear, summarized very simply, with some being more severe than others. How you will eliminate your scars will be easier if you know something about the scar itself!

Hypertrophic: Hypertrophic scars are raised above the surrounding skin because the body overproduces collagen. They usually appear as red, raised, and thickened patches of skin. They often occur when there is mechanical tension on the wound. They can fade in two to three years.

Keloid: very thick raised scars, more severe than hypertrophic scars and may spread beyond the original wound site. They can also develop into benign masses. Keloid scars, like hypertrophic scars, are caused by an excessive amount of hard collagen fibers deposited on the wound.

Atrophic: The scar is immersed in the skin, giving it a typical hole-like appearance that occurs when the basic structures that support the skin are lost. Acne and diseases such as chickenpox usually leave atrophic scars.

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