Family Encyclopedia >> Beauty & Style

How to reduce a scar?

Scars can be the source of a more or less important complex, depending on where they are located. Whether it's scars from acne, a wound, a burn or stretch marks, some people want to know how to fade a scar without resorting to surgery. That's the whole point of this article. As you continue reading, you will discover the different methods to reduce a scar, through creams or natural products.

What is a scar? 4 categories of scars

First, it is important to define what a scar is . It usually appears on the skin due to a cut or injury. To put it simply, they appear as soon as the skin undergoes a tear or an incision deep enough to cross the epidermis to the dermis. If the wound is bleeding, the dermis has been affected and that is when the scar forms.

There are four main categories of scars :

  • Simple scars , these are the most common and they are flat and white. If you take the necessary steps, they fade very easily and quickly.
  • Atrophic scars , more generally, these are scars due to severe acne or chickenpox, which take the form of a hole. The skin is struggling to heal and therefore fails to seal the hole.
  • The hypertrophic scar , or the burn scar, looks swollen, red and thick.
  • Keloid scars are due to an abnormal proliferation of the epidermis when it tries to heal. They will develop in relief and can extend for several millimeters around the base wound.

Soothing balms and creams to reduce a scar

On the market, there are countless number of balms and creams that aim to fade and remove scars. But as in all ranges of cosmetics, there is good and inevitably, not so good.

To identify the right products, you have to know how to recognize the effective ingredients . A good balm is made from natural products.

You can reduce a scar by getting a cosmetic such as Céline Escand's products, because this type of balm has an irreproachable composition, it only contains natural active ingredients:vegetable oils (olive, sunflower, jojoba, karanja, argan ), as well as sesame seeds, beeswax, carrot and calendula extracts, not to mention honey. All concentrated in a bottle made in France with Provençal scents.

Advice to prevent the scar from being too visible

If your scar is young and fresh, you will need to take care of it to avoid it being too visible. This could subsequently create a real complex, depending on where it is located. Here are the three reflexes to adopt to reduce a scar.

Avoid the sun

The first and most important tip is not to expose your scar to direct sunlight . If you don't follow this advice, your scar (still in the remodeling phase) could turn brown and become covered with marks of inflammation.

To protect your scars, you have two choices. Either you decide to forget about the sun while waiting for your scar to mature, or you use a very strong UV index (50 FPS child) in order to protect it as much as possible.

Clean it every day

Like all wounds, the secret is cleaning. This will prevent secondary infections , as well as the proliferation of bacteria. To properly clean your scar, use a mild soap for the skin and soap it gently, then pat it dry with a clean towel. Please note that this towel must be washed regularly and changed after each use.

Massage your scars

To be done only if your scar is well closed ! By gently massaging your scar, you will soften your skin at this level and thus prevent the internal tissues from sticking together. For an effective massage, use a moisturizer to avoid giving it a grainy or puffy appearance.

But also…

  • Prevent your wound from becoming infected;
  • Don't scratch the scab (even if it itches!);
  • Protect your scars from the sun and all external aggressions;
  • Avoid smoking;
  • Prefer foods rich in silicon and vitamin A;
  • Regularly moisturize your scars;
  • Massage them to keep them supple and firm your skin.

When to act before the scar becomes permanent?

A scar becomes mature at 18 months , before this age, it constantly evolves to try to repair the skin. To reduce a scar, it is necessary to act before its appearance becomes permanent , or as soon as possible. During its growth, the scar will go through four stages:

  • The inflammatory phase;
  • The neo-angiogenic phase;
  • That of collagen synthesis;
  • Then the remodeling phase.

It is during these different phases that it is necessary to act in order to reduce the final appearance of the scar.

Natural tips to reduce a scar

If your scar has not yet formed, you can act with baking soda, apple cider vinegar or essential oils. But if it is already present, red or pink in color and you are looking to reduce it naturally, here are some tips that you might like. On the other hand, if your scars are white, you will have to arm yourself with patience and above all perseverance to overcome them .

Vegetable oils

No matter the color of your scars, vegetable and natural oils will be precious allies:

  • Coco, it is regenerating, healing, antibacterial, moisturizing and nourishing.
  • Avocado, it is very nourishing, but also moisturizing and regenerating.
  • Hazelnut, ideal for eliminating stretch marks, this oil is antioxidant and rich in vitamin E.
  • Rosehip, has many regenerating and healing properties.

For a perfect combo, mix one of these oils with aloe vera gel which also has healing properties , regenerating and soothing. You can also add a drop of Italian helichrysum essential oil.

Homemade recipe to reduce a scar

Do you want to make a homemade serum to apply it regularly to your scars? Here is a recipe that you should like.

Take an empty, clean pump bottle and mix these ingredients:

  • 50ml vegetable oil of your choice;
  • 50ml of aloe vera gel;
  • 10 drops of vitamin E;
  • 10 drops of lavender essential oil.

The application is done twice a day (morning and evening) directly on the scar . To make the serum penetrate well, massage gently. This serum can be stored for a maximum of two months in the refrigerator.

You now know how to reduce a scar, naturally or using creams and balms.