Scars can be an emotionally upsetting reminder of past events; however, there are ways to fade or erase unwanted scars. One effective strategy is using honey on scars. Apply some to them overnight, cover them with a bandage, wash them off in the morning, and repeat them every night thereafter.
The process of laser scar removal explained above may also be done to reduce visibility. Additionally, dermabrasion, chemical peels, or even filling the scar with collagen are all options to consider.
Let’s break down the 5 best solutions to erase unwanted scars from your skin.
5 Solutions to Erase Unwanted Scars
1. Fraxel Laser Skin Resurfacing
Fraxel laser skin resurfacing works by stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin to effectively reduce fine lines, wrinkles, as well as sun spots or hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure. It does this by stimulating new cell division, leading to the new production of these essential proteins for skin health.
Fraxel laser treatments come in two varieties, Fraxel Re:pair and Fraxel Re:store. While Re:pair offers more aggressive solutions that can repair severe skin damage, Re:store is better suited for mild wrinkles or discoloration issues.
Ablative laser treatments use high temperatures to vaporize the surface layer of skin but aren’t advised for those with darker skin tones due to an increased risk of hyperpigmentation. A safer option would be non-ablative laser resurfacing which has less downtime and side effects; consult your dermatologist about which laser would best fit you during a consultation visit.
2. Microdermabrasion
Exfoliation is a non-invasive procedure used to exfoliate the top layer of skin. Tiny crystals or diamond-tipped wands are used to gently scrub away dead cells, helping fade scars and even out skin tone.
Lip fillers may also help soften shallow lines and wrinkles, clear clogged pores, and combat sun damage – however they cannot provide lasting solutions for deep acne scars or extreme hyperpigmentation.
Preparing for treatment requires taking seven days of steps leading up to it – this includes refraining from products with exfoliant properties such as retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene, or tazarotene products), glycolic acid scrubs or physical exfoliants containing exfoliants like glycolic acid. On treatment day itself, it’s also best to refrain from applying masks or moisturizers that contain active ingredients as they could potentially hinder results.
3. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels (also referred to as chemexfoliation or derma peeling) utilize a safe chemical solution to exfoliate and peel away the outer layers of skin, improving its appearance by diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, discoloration, and uneven tone.
Light chemical peels can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce dark spots or uneven skin tone and improve hydration levels in just minutes. A medium chemical peel removes some outermost layer and some middle layer cells for more dramatic results while deep chemical peels use carbolic acid (phenol) which may damage the heart, kidneys, and livers if overused.
Your doctor can assist in selecting the appropriate type of peel for you. To prepare, avoid waxing, plumping or using depilatory hair removal products in the week leading up to the procedure.
4. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that assists the skin’s healing. It can be found naturally in olive oil, nuts, and spinach as well as supplements. Furthermore, many skin care products utilize it as a stabilizer and shelf life extender to extend the shelf life of cosmetics products.
Studies are inconclusive on the efficacy of applying vitamin E to scars, but it can still be an effective tool in general to minimize scarring by moisturizing and soothing dry, itchy skin or decreasing sun damage.
If you decide to use vitamin E, make sure you choose a quality product without added ingredients. Since vitamin E can be thick and greasy, applying it during the nighttime may be best.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a plant with numerous medicinal uses. As a natural moisturizer and scar fader, Aloe vera should only be applied topically; taking oral Aloe vera could have laxative effects that alter electrolyte balance in your body as well as stain your colon with staining; thus making its use inappropriate if you’re planning a colonoscopy procedure.
Aloe vera can be used alone or combined with other products and treatments to erase unwanted scars, such as baking soda. Aloe vera is an antioxidant with powerful healing capabilities, helping reduce scarring while improving skin texture and tone. To use, remove the dark green “skin” of an aloe vera leaf and scoop out its light green gel – applying this treatment on your skin for at least half an hour should give the best results.
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