No matter how careful you try to be, it is often unavoidable to get wounded and develop scars. Scars can come in many different shapes and sizes. Either way, it’s not something people readily show off. Scars can lower a person’s self-esteem and confidence and can be a hassle to cover up. However, there are many effective ways to lighten scars until they are hardly noticeable. No matter what treatment you decide to follow though, it takes weeks or even months for scars to lighten, especially old scars, but it’s never too late.
Here are a few natural treatments you can follow religiously in order to lighten your scars.
1. Lemon Juice
Perhaps the most well-known scar lightening treatment is lemon juice. Lemon juice contains citric acid that can effectively lighten scars by bleaching the skin. It is also rich in vitamin C which can smoothen and improve your skin tone.
After washing the affected area with a mild cleanser or soap and water, apply lemon juice directly on the scar by gently rubbing the area with a cotton ball dipped in lemon juice.
Leave for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Repeat the treatment three times every day.
2. Vitamin E
Vitamin E can do miracles to your skin. It can help soften a scar and reduce its appearance thereby helping it fade more quickly by removing dead skin and scar tissue cells. Since it is also a powerful antioxidant, it can fight damage-causing free radicals which prevent healing and prematurely age the skin.
There are two ways you can obtain vitamin E: by eating vitamin E rich foods or by applying it topically onto your skin. Doing the latter is best if you’re aiming to quickly lighten scars. Simply rub vitamin E oil directly on the affected area.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has soothing and moisturizing properties that help reduce inflammation while promoting the elasticity of scar tissue. It regenerates your skin and decreases the size of scars and improves its overall appearance. Since it is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, it is best for promoting the healing of fresh scars.
Simply apply some aloe vera gel all over the affected area. Massage it onto your scar in circular motions and leave it on. Since aloe vera is very gentle on your skin, you can apply it as many times as you prefer every day.
4. Coconut Oil
Aside from being a great antioxidant that can reverse free radical damage on your skin, coconut oil stimulates collagen production while acting as a moisturizer to soften the skin and promote healing. It will also reduce the appearance of the scar and effectively lighten it after continuous use.
Warm a teaspoon or so of extra-virgin coconut oil in the microwave. Apply it while it’s still warm on the affected area and massage in circular motions until it gets fully absorbed by your skin. Repeat the treatment several times every day.
5. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural method of microdermabrasion, meaning it effectively exfoliates the skin, sloughing off unwanted dead skin cells. It also acts as an anti-bacterial agent due to its highly alkaline nature. It will help promote the healing of fresh scars and lighten and reduce the appearance of old scars.
Make a paste out of baking soda and water. Massage the mixture onto the affected area and leave it on for a minute before rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Repeat the treatment two to three times per week.
6. Honey
Honey is an excellent natural moisturizer that can stimulate tissue regeneration while preventing excess collagen growth and dead skin accumulation. It can also promote the healing of fresh scars due to its anti-bacterial property.
Massage raw honey on the affected area for 10 minutes. Leave for an hour then rinse off with warm water. Repeat the treatment twice every day.
