The aloe vera plant has been used as a healing product for well over a thousand years, dating back to ancient Egypt. Ancient and modern herbalists recognize the soothing, calming and restorative properties contained in Aloe Vera. The plant is used in many beauty products and remedies including the treatment of scars.
How Aloe Vera Works
The constituent properties of aloe make it effective in the treatment of scars, such as those caused by acne. The aloe vera gel is extracted by pulping the leaves. The amino acids in the gel are recognized for their anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-fungal and analgesic benefits. The hormones, sterols and sugars also act in a reparative manner and work with the plants natural vitamins to create antioxidants. Antioxidants are believed to help neutralize free radicals.
What Aloe Vera Does
The calming nature of aloe helps reduce the redness of scars. The analgesic properties minimize swelling of the skin tissue. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes are the two major cell types involved in wound healing. Some scientists state fibroblasts and keratinocytes multiply and work fasters to promote healing and scar reduction when pure aloe is introduced.
Where to Find Aloe for Scar Treatment
Aloe is available in many different forms. In fact, it is the basic ingredient in beauty creams, hand gels and even in liquid detergents. Many commercially available products contain aloe as their primary ingredient. Look for products that contain aloe listed first in the ingredients list.
All Natural Aloe
The most natural way to obtain aloe is to simply to propagate a small plant in the kitchen. This will keep a first aid supply on hand at all times. Aloe vera plants look a little like a spider plant but with tough cactus spiky leaves. The plant can be grown with minimum care. A cutting from a larger plant can be used to start a new plant. The plants are also inexpensive and available at garden centers and nurseries.
How to Use Aloe for Scars
When a burn occurs rub a small portion of natural aloe on the burn. To get the aloe from the aloe vera plant, break a tip from one of the spikes. The inside of the plant is appears slimy, this is the aloe vera. Rub the slimy portion of the aloe vera plant tip on the burn. Discard the plant tip. The plant is not damaged by the breakage. Continue to break additional pieces of the plant as needed to treat the area. If using a commercial aloe product on the burn, check the product label for specific instructions.
Aloe on Established Scars
Once a scar has actually formed, from a cut or burn, continue to add aloe at least once daily. Some commercial products have specific intervals for application, in this case, follow the product labelling.
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