How to Fade Scars Naturally

But scars are a natural part of life. They form as a result of a wound repairing itself. Your body forms collagen fibres to heal injuries, which results in the scar.

Scar tissue usually has a different texture than the surrounding skin, so the area can be recessed, raised or shiny.

Today, we’ll be discussing some natural remedies that can help reduce the appearance of your scars. There are other methods that will be more effective, however these can be quite costly.

Chemical peels can help with acne scars by exfoliating the top layer of skin to reduce the appearance of scars over time. Collagen fillers can aid in filling recessed scars, but not without certain risks. There’s also laser treatment and surgery, which again, can be costly, painful and risky. Natural remedies tend to show results at a slower rate, so it’s up to you to decide how quickly you want your scar gone.

Lemon This tangy fruit has exfoliating properties due to its acidic nature. Alpha hydroxy acids help to exfoliate the skin, while the bleaching property helps to lighten scars. Apply lemon juice directly to your scar nightly with a cotton bud. If you have sensitive skin, dilute the juice with water.

Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse off. Follow with a moisturiser, as lemon can dry out your skin. Do this daily until you achieve your desired results. This treatment can increase sensitivity to the sun, so be sure to wear a moisturiser with SPF during the day.

Papaya Rich in enzyme papain, papaya naturally exfoliates the skin and increases cell turnover.

Scoop a teaspoon of papaya into a bowl, mash and apply to your scars. Leave this mixture on for 15 minutes and then remove with warm water and pat dry.

You can follow this step with the previously mentioned lemon remedy, to increase efficacy.

Aloe Vera This succulent has been called “miracle plant” and is known to lessen inflammation while soothing and moisturizing the skin. It helps to repair damaged skin cells while simultaneously protecting new, healthy cells. It penetrates deeply and may stimulate collagen production to promote healing, which would be particularly beneficial for treating atrophic or recessed scars.

For best results, use fresh aloe, although 100 percent pure aloe vera gel will do the trick as well. Apply the gel to your scar two to three times a day, until your scar fades.

Onion This supposedly does the opposite of aloe vera; it is supposed to inhibit collagen production, which can reduce scarring in its early stages. When a scar is first forming, collagen fibres can arrange the mselves haphazardly, which can result in a scar that is raised or hardened. Onion extract can help to reduce the height of the scar, particularly if it’s hypertrophic or in some cases, keloidal. I recommend testing for sensitivity before using this treatment, as in some cases, onion can irritate the skin, doing more harm than good.

Apple Cider Vinegar This is probably the most versatile product there is. It contains alpha hydroxy acids and amino acids that dissolve dead skin cells and aid in regeneration of tissue for the growth of healthy new skin. It also contains lactic and malic acids which exfoliate and soften the skin.

Simply mix equal parts of water and raw, unpasteurised, unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar that has the mother in it. Apply this mixture with a cotton ball all over the skin. You can either use this as a toner and leave it on overnight, or if you have sensitive skin, splash your skin with cool water and follow with your serums and moisturisers. Apple cider vinegar is best for fading acne scars.

Cocoa Butter This is the most well known ingredient for treating stretch marks; Cocoa butter intensely moisturises the skin, so a daily routine of massaging with this cream can improve circulation, thus helping to diminish the appearance of certain types of scarring.

With any treatments you do, I recommend protecting your skin from the sun, since excessive exposure can darken your scars, slowing their healing and fading.

Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves or long pants for scars on your arms or legs, or hats for facial scars. Also wear sunscreen for added protection, and if possible, go as far as avoiding sun exposure completely during your treatment.