Nothing marrs the quality of one’s appearance quite like a scar. Be it a new scar or an old one, it is an unwanted imperfection and most of the time, they don’t vanish as quickly as we’d like them to.
In fact, some scars appear to be immortal in the sense that they never seem to fade away. So, assuming you have a scar, is it here to stay? Well, that will be up to you, really.
What’s a scar anyway, and why does it happen? Scarring is actually part of the natural healing process following an injury. When the dermis, (which is the second layer of skin) is damaged, collagen fibers begin to form on our skin to repair the damage, and this is when a scar forms. The severity of a scar would depend on the severity of the wound or injury to the skin. The quicker a wound heals, the less collagen will be deposited and the less noticeable the scar will be. The longer a wound takes to heal, more collagen will be needed, resulting in a more noticeable scar. A scar may also depend on where an injury is located, as well as the age of a person.
There are basically four types of scars, and interestingly, each has its own characteristic and appearance.
Atrophic scars
This is the kind of scarring that occurs following the loss of tissue. The scar will appear indented or depressed, serrated, or flat against the upper layer of the skin. Often, they are also darker in colour compared to the rest of the area around it, making them stand out in an unsightly manner. Acne scars and chickenpox scars are examples of atrophic scarring.
Keloids
Keloid scars are usually the result of aggressive healing followed by an overproduction of tissue. These scars tend to look raised and thick, with a somewhat puffy appearance. They too are typically darker than the surrounding skin area. Keloids often extend beyond the affected area.
Burns, surgical incisions and vaccination scarring are some examples of keloid scars.
Contracture scars
When large areas of skin are lost or damaged, typically from burns, it will result in contracture scars. They are actually a serious complication of a burn, and are characterized by tight, shiny skin. This kind of scarring may even restrict movement.
Hypertrophic scars
When a wound or injury results in excess tissue forming on the skin as it heals, a hypertrophic scar is what you’ll get. Unlike a keloid scar, it is confined to the injury spot and does not grow outside the affected area. However, they too mostly appear darker than other skin in the area. Skin trauma, piercings and folliculitis are common causes of hypertrophic scarring.
Scarred for life? Perhaps not!
While the term scar itself is an indication that it may not completely vanish, but fret not, for with proper care, certain scars may fade away in time, or at the very least, appear less visible. In any case, believers of natural healing have always advocated certain remedies that will help speed up the lightening/fading process and make a scar less noticeable.
Here are some of the remedies that may just do the trick!
The potato remedy
Raw potato contains potassium, sulfur, phosphorus and chlorine, all of which make it a good scar home remedy. It also has an enzyme called ‘catecholase’ which helps to brighten skin discolouration.
Here’s How To Use It:
Slice a potato into medium thick rounds and rub a slice onto your scar.When it starts to dry out, discard it and continue rubbing with another slice. Keep doing so for about 20 minutes and then let it air-dry for about 10 minutes before rinsing off with cool water. Just do this once a day and soon enough, you’ll notice your scars fading away.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is found to be helpful in trapping moisture in the skin and thereby, it helps a scar to heal the best it can. Squeeze the oil from a Vitamin E capsule onto the scar and massage it on and around the scar. Depending on the size of the scarred area, you may need more than one capsule. If possible, leave the oil on till your next shower. Do this up to three times a week for the best results.
Apple Cider Vinegar 
As a scar remedy, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is said to help reduce the appearance of scars by removing the damaged, outer layers of the skin and in doing so, it also prompts skin regeneration. Here’s what you do:
Combine four tablespoons of purified water with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
Dip a cotton ball into this mixture and dab your scar with it. Leave it on for as long as possible. If you do this at night, you may wash it off in the morning. Try this for at least two weeks and you’re bound to reap the results.
Baking soda
Make a paste out of a tablespoon of baking soda, lemon juice, honey and distilled water. Apply the paste onto your scar like a patch mask and leave it to dry out before rinsing it off. Baking soda is a natural anti-inflammatory and exfoliator, while lemon juice and honey work well together to lighten the skin. Try it now! After all, other than a nasty scar, what do you have to lose?
Helichrysum Oil 
This rather expensive essential oil is said to be indispensable as a scar-buster. If you can afford it, use it neat on the scar twice daily. Alternatively, pair it with a good carrier oil such as jojoba or coconut oil (at a ratio of three drops of helichrysum oil to two teaspoons of carrier oil), and massage the affected area well. Be persistent with this and you will definitely reap favourable results.
