How to heal a scar (12 effective tips)

Among the many incredible physiological abilities of the human body , its regenerative potential stands out. The tissues of our body are constantly being completely repaired, replacing “old” cells with new ones at a rate that depends on the cellular tissue, ensuring the correct maintenance of the body after suffering damage.

And since the skin, the largest organ of the human body, is constantly exposed to the dangers of the environment, it is not surprising that this is one of the areas of the body that has the maximum power of regeneration. Every 10 to 30 days, skin cells renew themselves to maintain their health.

This skin repair process is especially relevant when there is an incision, wound, blow or burn, since these injuries can indicate sources of infection and, therefore, the body heals quickly. And while his ability to regenerate is amazing, it’s not perfect. And with especially deep injuries, it is inevitable that the dreaded scars appear.

Separations are permanent patches of skin that form when the body heals a wound, leaving a more or less indelible visible mark depending on your skin type and the severity of the underlying wound. However, it is very important, during the healing process, to avoid infections and reduce the symptoms that may remain. Follow the following healing tips that we have compiled (from the most prestigious scientific publications) in this article.

What is a scar?

A scar is a permanent patch of skin that forms when the body heals a skin wound, which consists of an indelible mark resulting from a healing process of cut, burn, friction, infection, pain, or surgery in which the skin is cut. They appear to be thicker and are usually pinker, lighter, or redder than the surrounding skin.

When the injury occurs in the upper layers of the skin, the risk of scar formation is low, as the body’s ability to regenerate may be compromised. But when it reaches deeper layers (such as the dermis or hypodermis), that’s when they can be seen. The scar will be the natural closure of the wound, but the body will not be able to make the scarred skin look the same as before.

However, the formation of the scar and its appearance will depend on many factors : location, age, skin type, severity of the underlying injury, hormonal status, skin color, genetics, depth of the wound, size of the wound, etc. Therefore, it is difficult, at a clinical level, to establish clear standards for scar symptoms in general.

However, what we do know is that the scar formation process is divided into three stages: an inflammation stage (between 48 and 72 hours after the injury, the wound is closed with a blood clot and the tissues with dermatologically activated growth factors); a cell proliferation phase (over the next 3 to 6 weeks, connective tissue is formed to close the wound superficially); and, finally, a matrix remodeling phase (deeper layers of the skin in a process that lasts a few months, although in some cases is more serious). It can even last for years, until the wound is completely healed (but, of course, with the scar).

The scars may fade over time, but they do not completely disappear . With this in mind, during the three-step process that we have seen about healing the skin and subsequent wound healing, to reduce the risk of infection and reduce the possible marks that may remain, we heal. Scar, you said it perfectly.And this is what we are going to see.

What is a good scar cure?

As we have said, scars are the result of the natural process of wound healing in the skin that affects deep layers of the skin. They may fade over time, but they will never go away completely. And it will depend a lot (there are factors already mentioned that we cannot control) on how we heal the wound and heal it. And that is precisely why we present below the best tips for healing scars. We’re going over there.

1. Wash the wound on a regular basis.

Before a scar comes, we will obviously have a wound. And it is at this point, which corresponds to the first stage of inflammation (and also cell proliferation), when it is essential that the wound is always clean and that we disinfect it following the instructions of a professional. Otherwise, the wound can get infected. So, not only can we make the scar more visible and aesthetically significant, but we can also tolerate infections.

Do not expose the wound to sunlight.

In the wound stage and already with the first stages of the scar, it is essential to avoid sun exposure. The sun’s radiation will worsen its appearance and darken it, with consequences that we will bear forever. So, for at least half a year after the injury, we will have to use high-protection sun cream when we are exposed and, for another two years, use non-greasy sun cream when the sun is blazing.

Use scar bandages

From here, the advice is that when we enter the scar stage (i.e. the wound has already healed), the risk of infection is essentially zero. But what we want now is for the skirmish to be as visible as possible. To do this, the first thing we must take into account is to use special dressings for scars, which contain substances to reduce the size, improve the elasticity of the skin, and reduce itching , which is common in the early stages.

4. Put on compression bandages.

In addition to dressings, it is recommended to try compression bandages. These bandages are left on for about 18 hours a day and are recommended for use in the first three months after scar formation, as in up to 7 out of 10 people, they melt and soften the scar to make it less visible. Of course, the bandage must be applied by a professional, so it is difficult to adhere.

5. Use silicone gel.

In addition to moisturizing the skin (something very important for its regeneration), silicone gel improves the elasticity of the skin, accelerates healing and gives the scar noticeable results in about 6 out of 10 cases. It is recommended to apply it for about three months after the scar has formed, about twice a day. There is a risk of irritation, but it is a normal consequence that we should not worry about.

Use rose hips.

Classic after surgical interventions in which the skin is cut. Rosehip oil achieves very good results when applied to scars as it contributes to tissue regeneration. And what’s more, continuous exercise promotes scarring to improve the scar .

7. Use healing ointments.

In addition, we have ointments and creams that contain substances that promote proper healing. It is recommended to apply it for at least two months, between two and three times a day. It must be remembered that, like musket oil, it cannot be applied to mucous membranes. In this case, however, it would be necessary to resort to the gel.

8. Keep your skin hydrated (but not wet).

To promote optimal healing and regeneration of the skin, it is very important that it is always hydrated. But this does not mean that we should always keep the scar moist. In fact, this can be detrimental. We need to let the skin breathe and not “drown” it with moisturizers .

9. Gently massage the scar.

Although it may not look good, massaging the scar can improve its appearance. And it is that, especially in scars associated with surgical operations, if the area with both thumbs imitates the shape of the heart favorably for the restoration of normal blood circulation, it improves the flexibility of the skin and prevents the accumulation of dirty fibers that, in many cases, are responsible for the unsightly effects. In the postoperative period, a professional will give the massages. But you can learn to do it and recite it at home.

10. Avoid activities that stretch the skin.

As we have seen, it is important to promote the flexibility of the skin as we have seen, but while the scar is forming, it is essential that we avoid (as far as possible) all those activities that stretch the skin where the scar is located. This can spread it out and make it look less aesthetic.

11. Examine Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is said to remove scars. This is clearly not true. But yes, thanks to the hydration it offers and the substances it contains, it can improve its appearance, promote elasticity, and reduce its size. It also has the advantage that we can have it at home. However, it can never replace the tips and tricks we have seen.

12. Consult your dermatologist about treatment options.

In addition to all the advice we have seen, we always have the option of putting ourselves in the hands of a dermatologist and consulting with him, with the possibility of going through more specific treatments to treat scars. Lasers, photodynamic therapy, plasma injections (or botulinum toxin), dermabrasion, peeling, and even reconstructive surgery . There may be other therapeutic options if the scar, due to its characteristics, interferes with our emotional health.

How to heal a scar (12 effective tips)