Natural Healing Of Scars On Skin

Although many actively healing scars may heal and fade on their own over time, some never fade away completely and may need treatment, notes the American Academy of Dermatology. Various medical treatments can be used to treat scars, including dermabrasion, surgical revision, laser treatments, cortisone injections and chemical peels. There are also a number of treatments that you can use for the natural healing of your scars.

Identification

A scar is a permanent patch of skin--scar tissue--which grows over a wound, such as a cut, scratch, scrape, burn or other punctured skin. Scar tissue replaces the normal skin in the affected area. A scar is typically thicker and redder or shinier than the surrounding skin tissue, which mars the skin’s complexion.

Function

Scars form as a natural part of the body’s healing process. A scar forms as the skin repairs a wound that results from an accident, infection or surgery. The more damage there is to the skin and the longer the wound takes to heal, the greater the possibility that it will cause a scar.

Appearance

The final appearance of a scar heals depends on a number of factors, such as your age and the wound’s location on the body, notes the AAD. The younger the skin, the stronger the healing and the thicker and larger the scars will be. A scar over the jawbone is easier to see than a scar located on the cheek, because the skin on the jawbone is thinner. The direction of the scar also affects the appearance of a scar. If the scar follows a natural line such as a wrinkle or laugh-line, it is more likely to look like a naturally occurring line, than one that doesn’t.

Prevention/Solution

Proper care of a wound is essential to prevent it from forming into a scar after it heals, notes MedlinePlus. It suggests a number of steps you can take, including the application of pressure to the wounded area to help staunch the bleeding. Clean the wound with water and then bandage it to prevent infection if it is on an area on the body that may get dirty.

Natural Remedies

The use of herbal remedies to heal scars is a practice that dates back centuries. Authors Asa Hershoff and Andrea Rotelli report in their book “Herbal Remedies” that vulnerary herbs such as calendula, witch hazel and St. John's Wort are especially beneficial for their antiseptic action and capacity to promote healing. They promote tissue repair and help minimize or prevent scarring. Other traditional herbal remedies include comfrey, echinacea, chamomile and burdock. Consult your doctor before using any herbal remedies, as many are unproven by modern science.