SKIN SCARS

Skin is a seamless organ, like a fine cloth protecting valuable assets.

Many different things cause trauma to the skin, ranging from injuries and accidents to skin conditions such as acne and eczema.

Now a scar isn't bad if it's small or in a location that's easy to conceal. But when it's not, you may wonder if there's a way to treat it, other than hiding it under your clothes, that will make it go away or at least change how it looks.

The truth is the scar will never completely go away. But there are some methods that can help reduce its size and change its appearance.

Treatments to get rid of scars on black skin can sometimes be a challenge, but with consistency and patience, it is possible to reduce the appearance of stubborn blemishes.

Types of Scars

There are several types of scarring that occurs after skin exposure to trauma:

Keloidal scars – Elevated, dark, benign tumors that appears on ears, back, shoulders and chest. This can be very difficult to remove since it goes overboard the boundary of the affected area.

Hypertrophic scars – Raised and dark scars. Disappears in a certain amount of time but causes intense itching while this is used.

Atrophic scars – Creates indentation or sunken marks. One example of this type of scarring is stretch marks.

Natural remedies for lessening and eliminating scars:

Turmeric powder: To clear scars caused by accidents, roast turmeric powder (not packed turmeric available in markets but turmeric used on face) and mix it with pure ghee. Apply this gently on your scars with the help of your fingertips. Wash this off in about 20 minutes. This mixture completely clears scars but it is always good to ask your physician before starting off on any beauty regime.

Lemon juice:Lemons contain alpha hydroxy acids(AHA) which help to remove dead skin cells, help new cells grow, and bring back some elasticity to the skin. As a natural bleach, it can help lighten scars.Make sure the scar and surrounding area area cleaned thoroughly.Put 1 teaspoon of lemon juice on a cotton ball and rub on the scarred area.Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then rinse it off.Lemon juice may make your skin sensitive to light, so consider wearing sunscreen wherever you applied it when going outside

Raw honey: Raw honey can also be used to fade scars. The antibacterial properties in honey can help heal wounds and promote skin cell growth. With constant use, scars should fade. Using honey is not recommended if you have oily skin. It is a natural moisturizer, can be effective in the treatment of wounds, and stimulates tissue regeneration.

Mix 2 tbsp. of raw honey with 2 tbsp. of baking soda.Massage for 3 minutes.Place a hot washcloth over the area.When the washcloth has cooled, use it to wipe the area clean

Note: Try mixing 2 tbsp. of raw honey with 1 tbsp. of baking soda to make an exfoliating wash to help fade acne scars

Olive oil: is rich in vitamins E and K, which are great for your skin and make this an effective ally in getting your scars to fade quickly. Virgin olive oil is particularly high in anti-oxidants and has higher acidity level, which helps to lighten the scars. 

Rub approximately 1 tbsp of olive oil onto your scars. Use less if the scar is small. Massage the oil into your scars for approximately 5 minutes to help loosen up the scar tissue. Leave the oil on your skin for roughly 10 minutes, then wipe it off with a clean cloth. Within a week you should start to see scars and stretch marks starting to fade.

Aloe Vera gel: Aloe Vera's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce skin irritations and help remove dead skin from wounds. Aloe vera may also lessen swelling, help repair damaged skin cells, and fortify new skin cells being produced. Aloe vera can be found in many forms including gels, ointments, and lotions. 

Apply and massage the aloe-vera gel directly on the scar tissue several times a day

Indian gooseberry (Amla): This is a great source of vitamin C, and is most effective if applied to a newly-healed area immediately as it will go right to work inhibiting the formation of scar tissue. 

Make amla paste by mixing with water or olive oil. Massage the paste into your skin on the affected area

Cucumber: Are commonly used to make skin softer and more supplements. cucumbers aren't very acidic and are very unlikely to cause skin irritations. 

Make cucumber paste by peeling the cucumber, removing its seeds and blending it with about 4-5 mint leaves in a blender. Beat an egg white separately and then add this to your mix. Apply the paste on the scar and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Wash it off with cool water and use a clean towel to dry the area.Practice this regularly to see the most benefits

Tea tree oil: This powerful oil is anti-bacterial and when used properly can gradually remove scars, including acne and surgical scars. Since it's so strong, it should be diluted with water before being applied to the skin, and should NEVER be ingested.

Add a small amount of tea tree oil to warm water to create a "soap". Wash the affected area with the soap, then rinse and gently dry it off. You may experience some tingling or light stinging after using the oil, but that is most likely due to the anti-bacterial agents at work. If the stinging persists, you may want to stop using it and consult a dermatologist before continuing its use.

Onion extract: This is an anti-inflammatory and can inhibit the production of collagen in a scar, thereby making it less noticeable.

It is typically found in a gel that you rub onto the scar. This process is long and may take up to several months before you start to see any results.

Few More Remedies for skin scars:

Flaxseed oil: You can buy this oil at almost any health food store. Rub the flaxseed oil on old and new scars a few times each day, including after you shower and again before going to bed.

Lavendar oil: Apply and massage directly on scars to help fade. In time, it can completely eliminate them.

Castor oil: Use with a plastic wrap and a heating pad. Note: Be sure to use only food grade plastic wrap that contains no bisphenol A, a dangerous substance found in many plastics. Rub plenty of castor oil on the scars and then wrap it with plastic wrap. Place a heating pad turned on as high a setting as you comfortably stand and leave on for 20 to 25 minutes. You may see noticeable results in as little as a week or so.

Grape-seed extract, jojoba and almond oil are all effective scar treatments, especially when combined together.

Vitamin K: Apply as a cream topically to scars. Depending on the severity of your scars and skin type, you may see results in as little as a couple of weeks to a couple of months when used twice daily.

Vitamin E:  Use oil from punctured gel caps and rub it into scars before going to bed everyday

Note: The key to natural lessening and elimination of scar tissue is persistence. Serious scars may take up to several months, but with persistent and consistent effort you should eventually see good results.

Things to remember:

Drink a lot of water. Keep a track that you eat healthy because this helps in removing the toxins from your body and in turn gives you a scar-free face.

Never use plain lemon juice on your face because it can harm the skin. Dilute lemon juice in water or rose water and then use it on your skin.

Wash your face at least twice a day if not more, using fresh cold water. This prevents the clogging of pores.

Use a good oil control face wash to help prevent excess oil secretion which leads to acne and scars.