Having an injury is painful enough without the unsightly scars they can leave behind. Even after the pain and healing are over, scar tissue is often left as a reminder of incidents you would rather forget. Various remedies can help reduce the appearance of scars, including topical solutions, surgery and laser treatment.
Over-The-Counter Treatments
After a wound has closed and a scar has formed, several non-surgical treatments can help reduce the appearance of the scar. These include silicone which is available as a gel or in sheets and is applied directly to the scar. It is unknown why silicone helps heal scars.
Alpha hydroxy acids, natural fruit acids used to remove dead skin cells, can improve the appearance of acne scars, reduce redness and diminish wrinkles and signs of aging.
Onion extract works as an anti-inflammatory and can inhibit collagen from overproducing in a scar. Onion extract can be purchased as a gel, although it is also an ingredient in Mederma gel, a widely-used scar treatment brand. Onion extract requires consistent, prolonged use for its effects to be seen.
Surgical and Laser Treatments
Medical, surgical and laser treatments may be the next-best option for people with scarring that over-the-counter products cannot diminish.
Atrophic scarring--depressed scars that cause of hole or valley in the skin--are best treated with surgery. The surgeon removes excess scar tissue and repositions the incision so that it heals in a less visible pattern.
Laser treatment is recommended for hypertrophic scars, which are elevated and tend to fade faster than atrophic scars, notes Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. The laser moves along the scar and can vaporize a layer of skin to expose a more natural-looking layer of skin which heals over time to minimize the appearance of the scar.
Injections of the steroid can inhibit the production of the collagen that make up a scar and reduce inflammation.
Benefits
The benefits of reducing scarring are numerous, and can include a better self-image, a higher degree of confidence, the loss of the need to hide or obscure the scarring and increased comfort.
Prevention
Caring for a wound properly if the first step in diminishing or avoiding scarring in the first place. A wound should be treated quickly to prevent infection. If the wound is a cut, clean the area and apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandage. If the cut is smaller and in an area that cannot be bandaged, use petroleum jelly to cover the wounded area. Clean the wound with antibacterial soap regularly, but don't aggressively rub the area around the wound when cleaning.
Considerations
People with sensitive skin should note that alpha hydroxy acids can cause irritation and stinging. Use the mildest strength available before moving on to stronger variations. Consult a physician or dermatologist if you are concerned about the side effects of alpha hydroxy acids.
Wait until a wound has completely healed, with no raw open areas or scabs, before treating the area to reduce scarring. The healing process can take between three weeks and several months.
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