Scar formation usually involves two factors: your genetics and how you take care of your wound, according to author Brigitte Mars in "Beauty by Nature." To keep scarring to a minimum, Mars suggests airing out your wound as much as possible, either at night or with a loosely taped dressing by day. Thick creams and moisturizers will only block the oxygen your wound needs to heal, so stick with light, mild topical treatments like aloe vera gel.
Treat Scars With Silicone
Doctors often treat burn victims with silicone gel sheets to reduce scarring, but the technique also works for other kinds of scars. According to Joan L. Monaco, Mani Mani and W. Thomas Lawrence in "Soft-Tissue Surgery of the Craniofacial Region," scientists don't know exactly why silicone helps; some believe it may be because the gel raises your skin's temperature and stimulates collagen production, while others believe the gel simply provides the hydration necessary for healing. No matter the reason, you can purchase small silicone sheets at the drug store or, if your scars are new and you're under a doctor's treatment, ask about using silicone to stimulate the healing process.
Diminish the Look of Scars with Homeopathic Remedies
Before you subject your skin to harsh chemical peels or other cosmetic surgery treatments, try a few homeopathic remedies. Mars notes that even older scars may respond to topical treatment with calendula, castor oil, plantain, vitamin E or aloe vera. These oils, supplements and herbs are available in many health food stores; if you're treating your scar with castor oil or liquid vitamin E, soak a cotton ball in the treatment liquid and use medical tape or an adhesive bandage to hold it on your face.
Camouflage Scars with Specialized Makeup
Depending on the color and thickness of your scars, drugstore beauty products might not do the job. You may want to try a specialized form makeup designed to cover tattoos, stretch marks, varicose veins, rosacea and scars. Often called "body makeup" or "camouflage makeup," these thicker formulas are Hollywood's secret weapon when it comes to camouflaging tattoos for the big screen. According to StyleList, Angelina Jolie uses a brand called Cover FX to hide her tattoos on screen. Other popular brands include ColorTration, Ben Nye, ColorBlend and Judith August.
Consider Cosmetic Treatment
Depending on the kind of scar you have, you can have it professionally treated with an injection, a skin resurfacing procedure or have it surgically removed. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, cosmetic surgeons can fill in sunken or pitted scars with fillers that last up to several months. They can also surgically remove a thick or unsightly scar, or use a variety of skin refinishing procedures to remove the top layers of skin and reveal the smooth, unscarred skin beneath. These procedures include chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and skin bleaching.
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