How to prevent a scar

No one wants to be left with an ugly scar after a wound heals. A scar forms as a natural part of the healing process, and the extent to which it does varies with a person’s age, sex, nutritional status, and individual genetic makeup, as well as the location, size and depth of the wound. Are there ways to prevent a scar? Not all scars can be prevented, but here are some ways to make scar formation less likely.

Cleaning Wounds Properly can Help Prevent Scars

Clean the wound using only warm water. Washing with soap may sound like a good idea, but it can irritate the inside of the wound. Avoid hydrogen peroxide and iodine too since they slow down healing by destroying white blood cells that aid in the healing process. Apply a light coating of antibiotic ointment to the wound for the first few days to reduce the risk of infection. Wounds that become infected are more likely to scar.

To Prevent a Scar, Keep the Wound Moist

Most people think it’s important to leave a wound open and exposed to the air, but this isn’t a good idea since it can dry it out. Keep the wound moist with a product such as Duoderm or petroleum jelly to prevent scab formation which helps to reduce the risk of scarring. A moist wound not only has a lower risk of scarring, but it will heal faster.

When Preventing a Scar, Avoid Vitamin E

Common wisdom has it that vitamin E is good for wounds, but most studies show it doesn’t prevent scarring and allergic reactions are not uncommon in people who use it. There’s also no solid evidence that aloe vera or honey prevent scarring. Another popular product for treating scars is Mederma, available in drugstores, which is made of onion extract. Many people swear by it for reducing the appearance of scars, but recent studies have failed to show real benefits. Mederma should only be used after a wound has healed since it can be irritating to freshly injured tissue.

To Prevent a Scar, Stay Out of the Sun

Lightly cover a wound with gauze before going out in the sun. Sunlight slows down the healing process and any scar tissue that’s starting to form will redden when exposed to ultraviolet light which will make it more obvious. Once a scar has started to heal, shield it with a sunblock.

Preventing a Scar: The Bottom Line

Scars can take up to two years to fade, although some become more obvious over time instead of fading. Scars that don’t disappear can be treated with laser resurfacing. A scar that’s depressed can be “plumped up” with injection with a collagen filler to make it blend better with the surrounding skin. See a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to discuss these possibilities.

How to Get Rid of Acne Scars

Scars come in a variety of different types, but they can all be treated. By knowing some great home remedies for acne, anyone can experience scar-free, beautiful skin.

The Importance of a Daily Facial Routine

All individuals should have a daily facial routine that includes cleansing and moisturizing. This is important for keeping skin beautiful and helping to eliminate acne scars. A clean face absorbs products more easily, therefore helping boost the effectiveness of the acne scar remedies you use. It’s also important to exfoliate the skin once a week, removing dead skin and cleansing pores of oil, dirt and blackheads. A clean, clear face is the perfect foundation when you want to remove your acne scars. To learn more, visit Skin Care Tips.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is an excellent remedy for acne scars. This natural butter comes from the nut of the Karite tree in Africa. Women and children earn their living creating this butter, but most of the population uses the butter and think of it as a wonder cream. Not only does it help reduce the chances of wrinkles, protect the skin from the sun and heal minor wounds – it helps vanish scars from the skin. Get only the pure, all-natural, unrefined Shea butter to treat acne scars. The butter melts with the warmth of the skin, and should be used sparingly as it contains natural oils.

Lemon Juice

For those individuals who have dark acne scars that are unsightly against your skin, lemon juice can work wonders. Simply rub some lemon juice on the dark scars using a cotton swab and allow it to sit for half an hour. When the half-hour is over, rinse the face and pat dry. Lemon juice is acidic and will help lighten the darkness of the scars, making the skin tone appear more balanced and keeping the color smoother.

Egg Whites

Egg whites are also effective when it comes to preventing acne and treating the scars. Simply create a mask out of egg whites and rub it lightly onto the skin with a cotton ball. This can be left on overnight in order to be most effective – so individuals may want to consider sleeping on only a cotton pillowcase that can be washed the next day.

Cucumber and Tomato

Cucumber and tomato, when mixed together, create an effective treatment that fights against acne scars. They can also be applied directly to the face after being sliced. Individuals can create a mask from tomato and cucumber by blending half and half and then rubbing on the face with a cotton swab.

By using the information above, individuals can most effectively treat acne scars with great home remedies that actually work.