Home Remedies for Scars - LIVING WITH SCARS

There are so many options for treating scars out there and it can be overwhelming. However, if you are not ready to invest in medical treatments you can still improve the look of your scars. The below home remedies for scars are easy and accessible to everyone.

Many creams and other products claim to reduce a scar’s appearance but lack evidence to back up their claims. I have researched and found many home remedies for scars that help. If you wish to try a non-invasive treatment for scars at home, the below options may be able to help.

Silicone sheets and gel

Of all the home remedies for scars, silicone has the most evidence to back it up. A number of studies over the past twenty years have confirmed that applying silicone sheets or silicone gel can gradually improve a scar’s appearance.

One review states that silicone sheets improve the appearance of hypertrophic scars
According to one study, a silicone gel was as effective as silicone sheets in diminishing hypertrophic and keloid scars

Silicone scar treatment products are available in many stores and online. And you don’t need a prescription to buy silicone gel. Doctors may also prescribe this treatment after surgery or to help heal scars after an injury.

Silicone has a low risk of causing side effects and is usually easy and painless to use.

I used the following silicone scar cream and it worked wonders:

Mederma Advanced Silicone Scar Gel

Chemical exfoliators

If the name sounds a bit too scientific, don’t worry. Many over-the-counter creams and serums contain exfoliants. This helps remove the outer layers of dead skin, revealing a smoother appearance and making your skin breathe better.

While there are some claims that exfoliants can smooth fine lines, they may be beneficial for some types of scars and dark marks.

There were several studies done to establish the effects of chemical exfoliators:

One study found that glycolic acid peels can improve the look of atrophic acne scars. People who have stronger peels done in a doctor’s office may get better results, but lower-strength peels done at home can also offer benefits with fewer side effects.

Another study found that two types of chemical exfoliators helped to reduce the look of acne scars and dark marks caused by acne. The study looked at peels that contained glycolic acid and a salicylic-mandelic acid combination and found both types offered some improvement.

Onion extract for scars

One of the most well-known natural remedies for scar treatment is onion extract. This extract is widely available in scar treatment products that are available at drug stores.

Some studies found that:

A proprietary onion extract product improved and softened scars after 4 weeks.
People who used an onion extract gel reported improvements in scar texture, softness, redness, and overall appearance after 4 weeks.

Despite these studies, evidence on onion extract is mixed. One study found that onion extract was no better than a petroleum-based ointment in treating scars.

Ebanel Advanced Silicone Scar Gel with V i tamin E, Emu Oil, Onion Extract

Sun protection

You need to protect your skin from excessive exposure to the sun, but when it comes to scars you need to take extra precautions. You need to keep your scars from getting worse and help with the natural fading process. By using protective sunscreen and clothing you will keep your scar safe from the damaging effects on the delicate skin.

It will help prevent additional darkening, which makes a scar more noticeable.

I recommend using the following organic sunscreens:

Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion

Vegan and Reef Friendly (Octinoxate & Oxybenzone Free)
Broad Spectrum Moisturizing
UVA/UVB Sunscreen
with Vitamin E

Two Peas Organics All Natural Organic SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion

Coral Reef Safe
Baby, Kid & Family Friendly
Chemical Free Mineral Based Formula
Waterproof & Unscented

Zinc supplement

Zinc is apparently very good for healing wounds as it is supposed to help accelerate the healing processes in your body. This supplement plays a major role in regulating every phase of the wound healing process; ranging from membrane repair, oxidative stress, coagulation, inflammation, and immune defense, tissue re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, to fibrosis/scar formation.

I use this particular Zinc s upplement because it is highly absorbent (Zinc Picolinate). I simply take it in the morning with my tea.

Natural Oils

There are many natural oils that could be used as home remedies for scars. The best natural oils are coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and olive oil. Not only do these help with the appearance of your scars, but they also nourish your skin and keep it well hydrated.

The natural oils I use are:

Nutiva Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil

Pure Unrefined Raw Cocoa Butter by Sky Organics

USDA Certified Organic Shea Butter

While these natural substances may help soften and smooth skin, and likely will not do any harm, no studies have yet found these substances to work in reducing or removing scars.

If you are interested to read about how I felt living with scars you can read it here. I’m sure my story isn’t unique and there are many people struggling with their scars.

I decided to take action and do something about my scars. Therefore I chose to go through a breakthrough procedure that helped me move forward, together with using scar creams for pre and post-surgery. I wrote about my experience in my book Living with Scars.

Heads up: My posts may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through any of these links, I promise you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps me keep this website going. Thanks!

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