Scars are the result of the skin healing wounds. When there is an injury to skin from acne, burns, bites or cuts, scar tissue forms over the wound to protect the area. There are many types of scars depending on the source of the injury and other factors such as genetics. Some people are more prone to scarring than others. There are raised scars, depressed scars and stretch marks. Because of the variety of scars, there are several ways to erase or reduce these scars.
Apply vitamin E oil. Vitamin E is a popular scar treatment, although experts disagree as to its effectiveness. Some plastic surgeons, like Dr. Joel Studin, suggest patients use vitamin E to heal scars because the vitamin breaks down collagen fibers that form the scar. But researchers at the University of Miami performed a study that showed that vitamin E has little effect on scar tissue. Use natural vitamin E oil three times a day.
Use cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is a natural lubricant made from the vegetable oil of cocoa beans. It is expensive and has a pleasant smell. Cocoa butter is often recommended for removing stretch marks. Cocoa butter is proven to penetrate deeply into the skin, so it is good for depressed scars, like pockmarks and stretch marks, that form in the middle layer of the skin.
Use Mederma cream. This is a commercial product that is recommended for removing a variety of scars. Many consumers posting on message boards praise Mederma for reducing the appearance of scars. The cream is expensive at $30 (average price: 2009) per tube. Apply Mederma twice a day for two to three months.
Use ScarGuard MD. This cream can be purchased online for $70 (average price: 2009). It was developed by a plastic surgeon to reduce raised and thin scars like keloids. The product contains silicone, cortisone and vitamin E. Many doctors recommend ScarGuard to patients. For best results apply twice a day for two to four months.
Try silicone sheets. Silicone sheets have an adhesive backing. You cut the sheet to the size of the scar and place it over the scar. The pressure of the sheet around the scar reduces the size. According to the Beauty Brains website, many dermatologists agree that you can reduce a scar by applying silicone. A few products to check out are Scar Rx Silicone Sheet and ReJuveness.
See a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. There are several medical procedures that can only be done by a doctor. Cortisone injections help to reduce thick scars. Laser resurfacing can smooth out scars and make them less noticeable. Chemical peels fade the color of scars and also eliminate surface scars. Dermabrasion removes the top layer of skin. Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze off raised scars. For large scars, a doctor may cut out the scar and then use a skin graft to fill in the area.