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May 10, 2021

How To Get Rid Of Scars

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We can get scars by choice or by chance — perhaps surgery or an accident — but they are a natural part of the body’s natural healing process. It results from the biological process of tissue repair and replacing lost or damaged skin. Most wounds come with a certain degree of scarring; a common by-product when our body heals itself from injuries, diseases or skin conditions.  Scars may also develop when the dermis, the deeper and thicker layer of the skin, gets damaged.

Fortunately, in time, most scars gradually smoothen and soften as collagen breaks down at the site of the wound, and blood supply reduces. This means that scars eventually fade over a period of time. However, some remain. 

Before and after of some scars

What are the different types of scars?

  1. Atrophic scars — characterised by the loss of tissue. These type of scars usually appear depressed or flat against the upper layer of the skin. These scars usually appear darker than other areas of your skin. Common examples are acne and chickenpox scars.
  1. Hypertrophic scars — characterised by excess tissue that forms over the skin as it heals. They also appear more pigmented than other areas of the skin and do not spread beyond the boundary of the injury. 
  1. Keloid scars — these are the result of aggressive healing and overproduction of tissue. They often extend beyond the original injury and can be identified by a raised, thick, puffy appearance, typically darker than the surrounding skin.
  1. Contracture scars — these scars usually result from large areas of skin being lost or damaged, typically from burns. It is characterised by tight, shiny skin that can restrict movement.  

How to minimise new scars

Often, a scar’s appearance is determined by how well the wound heals. Therefore, it is important to take steps to make sure our wounds are treated properly. You could:

  • Keep the wound or injury clean — gently wash the area and change your bandaid daily.
  • Apply sunscreen — sun protection can help prevent discolouration and help your scar fade faster.
  • Petroleum jelly or Vitamin E — These help prevent the scar from drying out, which allows the wound heal faster instead of scabbing.
  • Listen to your doctor — If you’ve undergone surgery, listen to your doctor’s advice on how to care for your new wounds and when to get stitches removed.
applying cream for some scars

Getting rid of older scars 

Generally, if a scar has not disappeared in two years, it is likely to stay.

  • Look to chemical exfoliants or peels

Spot products that contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA), which often help with dead skin removal and preventing clogged pores. The mild acid helps make acne scars appear less noticeable, reducing discolouration and rough skin. [1] You could also consider lactic acid, which helps improve skin texture, appearance, pigmentation of the skin and lighten acne scars. 

  • Don’t forget your daily sunscreen

While this may not help lighten your scars, it can help prevent your scars from darkening any further and prevents further damage from UV rays. As such, it’s important to apply sunscreen regularly. [2]

  • Consider some natural products

There are different kinds of natural products that may help with your scars. Blackseed Oil, also known as Nigella Sativa is native to Eastern Europe, Western Asia and the Middle East. It has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also speed up wound healing and even out pigmentation. It helps with acne, and 67% of patients were satisfied with the results of the therapy. [3]

Another plausible option would be Rosehip Oil. Marketed largely as a solution to ageing, this is widely available and safe to apply directly to the skin. It can help with surgical scars, acne scars and lessen skin discolouration as well. 

Hopefully, these treatments may help, although the effects vary from person to person. If you would like to try more targeted treatments, there are some safe and effective options with minimal downtime.

  • Venus Viva Scar Removal

A medically proven and FDA-approved treatment for scars, Venus Viva Scar Removal uses nano fractional radio frequency and SMARTSCAN technology to resurface the skin by delivering energy through the epidermis and the dermis. This helps with rebuilding collagen that assists the body to remove scars without the need for needles, surgery or discomfort. Other than its scar-removing capabilities, this can also be used to reduce facial wrinkles, fine lines and pores.

  • The PDRN Healer

An advanced skin healing treatment, the PDRN Healer is designed to stimulate collagen production to heal the skin. It encourages the restoration of the skin’s collagen structure and makes the skin feel smoother. With PDRN Healer, cell renewal is triggered when it is delivered into the dermis, allowing it to improve the condition of damaged and scarred skin. As such, it improves complexion and removes scars. For this treatment, results are quick and visible with a clearer complexion after 2-5 days of the treatment. However, to achieve optimal results, 3 sessions with an interval of 3 weeks is recommended.

An advanced skin laser treatment, this removes both shallow and deep scars precisely and with less risk, discomfort and lesser treatment sessions. During the procedure, a topical anaesthetic cream will be applied before the laser treatment commences for your comfort throughout the quick 10-minute session. Thereafter, a cooling masque is applied to calm the skin and accelerate the healing process. This treatment is also non-invasive and non-surgical, keeping downtime short and normal daily activities can be resumed shortly. However, exposure to excessive heat like sunbathing should be avoided during recovery. 

Using plasma to deliver heat to the targeted treatment area without affecting the surrounding tissues, this treatment has been clinically proven to regenerate skin. It is also able to treat different skin problems such as scars and can be used even on sensitive areas, like the eyes. Similarly, it is a needleless procedure and is notably safe and effective with no pain or downtime required. It usually takes around 20 minutes per session, but this is also dependent on the treatment area and condition of your skin. 

With a wide variety of skin treatments available for you, you will be spoilt for choice. Ultimately, the best treatment for you is dependent on your skin condition and the types of scars you may have. Book a consultation to discuss what treatment plan would work best for you.

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/acne/products-for-acne-scars
  2. https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-scar-removal-creams.html
  3. Aljabre, S. H., Alakloby, O. M., & Randhawa, M. A. (2015). Dermatological effects of Nigella sativa. Journal of dermatology & dermatologic surgery19(2), 92-98.

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