Some people feel like their scars are a source of pride; however, for others, they are a constant reminder of a traumatic encounter. From a bicycle accident (or two) as a kid to the car accident in your teens and the time you slipped on ice as an adult, the truth is that not everyone shares the same feelings about their scars. While it’s awesome to feel like a warrior, it’s also okay to want your scars to be a thing of the past—just like the incident(s) that put them on your body.
In 2022, there are more treatment options than ever! Before you check out all the various scar treatments compiled here, look at how the scarring process evolves. You’ll learn about the various types of scars before seeing treatments that could erase them from your body.
All the relevant and proven treatments are right here, so sit back, relax, and read on.
The Types of Scars & What Causes Them
If you are curious about the type or types of scars that inhabit your body, this list will be a surefire way to find out. A lot of people may have a mix of the different types, yet some may have skin traumas that aren’t on this list.
However, if you have what’s called cauliflower ear, or you’re wondering if the c-section scar you wear is keloid or atrophic, it’s important to know that no matter the type, there’s a solution for it.
Hypopigmented Scars
A hypopigmented, or “white” scar is lighter than the rest of the skin surrounding it. This happens during an abnormal wound healing process when there’s not a sufficient amount of the amino acid tyrosine in the skin to make melanocytes. When this happens, the melanocytes cannot make an adequate amount of melanin and thus the scars have no pigment.
Many of these scars are the outcome of burns, surgical procedures, and deep resurfacing treatments.
There are a ton of other reasons for hypopigmentation on the face or body, such as genetic or hereditary disorders, birthmarks, and autoimmune disorders to name a few.
Stretch Mark (Striae)
Have you ever experienced skin stretching during pregnancy, bodybuilding, or in any drastic weight gain or loss? If the answer is yes, then you’re likely aware of what a stretch mark is. Some people can go through a similar process and they’ll never get the same marks. Maybe it’s genetics, or maybe it’s the luck of the draw. Nevertheless, striae are caused by a sudden change that forces too much strain on the skin’s elastin and collagen. Essentially, the stretching of the tissues causes the deepest layer of skin to tear, leaving skinny, white, and red tubular marks in the wake.
Keloid Scars
Keloid scars are hard, lumpy nodules that form as a dysfunction in the healing process from a subcutaneous injury. Anything from piercings, tattoos, lacerations, burns, acne, vaccinations, insect bites, to abrasions can result in keloid scars. Those who are most prone to keloidal collagen lesions have darker skin complexions and/or are pregnant.
Keloids are often mistaken for the more common hypertrophic scar, but what sets them apart is the keloidal collagen and its extension beyond the initial injury site.
Keloid scars stem from overactive fibroblasts that cause the overproduction of collagen and other growth factors. These specific kinds of scars may hurt, itch, or burn. They can also grow long after the injury has healed.
Auricular hematoma or cauliflower ear looks much like a keloid scar, but it has blood clots in the lesions rather than keloidal collagen. An auricular hematoma should be promptly treated before the healing process is finished.
Hypertrophic Scars
A raised, red, and smooth wound is called a hypertrophic scar. The overproduction of collagen and healing tissue raises the site of the scar and generally forms on the earlobes, chest, upper body and arms, neck, and shoulders. Hypertrophic scars are mostly found in people aged 10-30 years.
Hypertrophic scars are thought to affect young people because elastin and collagen production is much more prevalent and efficient than in older folks. The same burning, itchy, and painful symptoms and the same causes from keloids apply here. However, the hypertrophic scar will flatten and become paler over time.
Atrophic or Pitted Scars
Unlike the previous two, the atrophic scar is identified by three different presentations: chickenpox, icepick, and rolling. A chickenpox scar is an atrophic skin mark that appears as a flat-bottomed indent. An icepick scar resembles a deep pore. A rolling scare has no defined edges. These atrophic scars are caused by acne, chickenpox, and surgical procedures. In the restorative process, the connective tissues connect and heal just below the top layer of the skin.
All About Scar Treatment
When it comes to treating skin traumas, there are several avenues to minimizing their size, pain, and appearance. From topical retinoids, and injection treatments to acid peels, dermal fillers, and scar removal surgery, these treatments can help you feel more comfortable in your skin.
Topical Treatments for Acne-Related Scars
Prescription retinoids (tretinoin and tazarotene), and steroids are typical treatments for acne scars, hypo and hyperpigmentation, and hypertrophic marks. Also, you can find over-the-counter creams, moisturizers, and serums that contain retinoids at a lower percentage of the medication therein.
Some folks claim that vitamins A and E oils help reduce the appearance of scars; however, the efficacy isn’t truly known. More research needs to be done to be sure.
The American Dermatology Association suggests you use silicone sheets, creams, or gels. Although the effectiveness hasn’t been widely surveyed, people typically see improvement after three months of regular use.
Injection Treatments
With painful, itchy, or burning sensations of keloids and hypertrophic scars, it would be nice to be done with them forever. You may not be able to get rid of keloids permanently; however, it could be worth trying steroidal injections to mitigate the symptoms that come along with them. A corticosteroid injection is employed right in the repaired sore to reduce itchiness, burning, and pain. The treatments will also flatten the scar tissue. If the wound has healed into a mound of collagen among other things, injections will be the first on your provider’s list for you to try.
Scar Removal Surgery
Surgical options will likely be the last on the doctor’s list of things to try but they are generally successful. Usually, surgical remedies are reserved for keloids and hypertrophic scars, but acne-related marks, hypopigmentation, and post-surgery hyperpigmentation are now also being suggested for surgery. Pitted and hypopigmented scars can be helped by dermal fillers, subcision, dermabrasion, and fractional laser resurfacing treatment. Dermal fillers are shots of hyaluronic acid underneath the skin. Cryotherapy is used for smaller raised scars. Your doctor can freeze the affected skin in the office. People who’ve tried it are typically excited by the results.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are done by a dermatologist or anesthetist for the most trustworthy and best results. Chemical peels are great for acne scarring and hypopigmentation. The skincare professional will use a trichloroacetic, glycolic, or azelaic to dissolve the top layer of the skin. By doing this, the chemical gives way to skin cell regeneration and turnover. The more there is to treat, the more treatments it takes to reach desired outcomes.
Micro-Needling and Punch Excision
First, micro-needling is a widely used treatment for all types of scars. With the help of a board-certified dermatologist or aesthetician, micro-needling consists of the use of micro, or small, needles that make tiny punctures in the skin. These holes gain access to deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production. This, in turn, reduces the scar’s form and look by rejuvenating the structure of the cells.
The punch excision treatment is done by using a punching apparatus that lines up with the size and shape of the scar to cut the affected skin out. Then, the patient gets stitches and new skin. Again, call your provider about getting all the juicy details.
Homeopathic Scar Therapy
The thing about home remedies is that typically a person will be at their wit’s end with scars and might give Google a go to find a fast fix. However, many of the trending solutions like apple cider vinegar or baking soda aren’t exactly proven to be effective. They have been proven to be potentially hazardous. However, if you want to slather vitamin A or E, or onion and garlic extract all over your face for the next couple of years, then more power to you!
The point though is that vitamin elixirs and extracts aren’t going to hurt you or your skin. Baking soda and apple cider vinegar could very well strip your skin of all naturally occurring nutrients and oils, causing an allergic reaction or even giving you a chemical burn. These things don’t always happen, yet they happen enough to make them dangerous.
Here are a couple of safe and effective options to try instead:
Aloe Vera Leaves
The greatest way to use this remedy is alongside other therapies like any of the ones listed above. You can get the most out of aloe vera leaf juice if you go to the supermarket and buy a few of the long and hard leaves.
To start, you want to find the flattened side of the leaf and then break or cut it open to expose the medication therein. Use your finger or another small tool to expel the clear-ish gel and apply it to the scar(s). You should apply it in small circular motions with clean fingers.
Rinse after 20-40 minutes using cool or lukewarm water. Incorporate it into your morning and evening routine.
Virgin Coconut Oil
The effects of the free fatty acids (FFAs), monolaurin, and lauric acid in coconut or palmitic acid make for exceptional wound and scar therapists. Furthermore, vitamins E and C are proven to promote cell regeneration at the injury site. Monolaurin has significant antibacterial properties and antioxidant powers. Combining all the strengths of monolaurin, and lauric acid makes the natural medicine more readily available on the skin.
Virgin coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties which are necessary for stimulating new collagen production. However, the best part of palmitic acid is the superpower to repair the skin barrier.
To use virgin coconut oil for any skin traumas, you can warm a tablespoon to liquefy it. You can use it up to four or five times a day, or you can treat the wound overnight.
Ginger Root and Extract
Ginger root has natural toning properties and antioxidants that are effective in treating hypopigmentation, acne scars, dark spots, uneven complexions, and hardened skin.
To use ginger root for your face or body, grate some ginger root into a container and use the back side of a spoon to release the juice. Then, mix in a tablespoon of avocado or olive oil.
If you use an extract, follow the directions on the package.
Scar Therapy: Age Defying’s Top Product Reccomendations
Currently, there are more options than ever to treat your scars at home with a medical-grade product. Whether it’s a silicone tape roll, sheet, patch or cream, or spot corrector, you’ve got options. If you’ve been on the fence about the efficacy of such scar remedies, this will be an invaluable tool to rule out the mediocre from the best.
TriLastin: Scientifically Developed & Results Driven
For stretch marks (striae) caused by pregnancy, weight gain or loss, and bodybuilding, TriLastin has been developed by an award-winning team of scientists to give fast and long-lasting results.
TriLastin-SR Intensive Stretch Mark Cream offers extraordinary results when paired with the TriLastin Hydro-Thermal Accelerator serum, which warms the skin for maximum absorption. However, the cream is an excellent stand-alone stretch mark remedy. The cream is packed with vitamins and is fast-acting, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist-approved. TriLastin salves are readily absorbed, non-sticky, and can give you visible results in as little as three weeks. Apply the TriLastin balms two to three times daily.
Then, the once-daily TriLastin Maternity Stretch Mark Cream removes and prevents striae and other scars—old and new! The Maternity Stretch Mark Cream combines natural plant-based extracts with shea butter to smooth, soothe, and renew damaged skin. It’s hypoallergenic with a light citrus scent. It’s even safe for your baby.
The beauty of having options is that you can use any of these scar treatments as stand-alone remedies or you can use them all together. When you’re wanting to rid your skin of scars, it’s a process. It’s a process to find what works best for you. And it’s a process to love your skin despite the marks on your skin.
Nuvadermis: Top Hydration & Rebuilding Your Self-Confidence
Nuvadermis uses top-quality ingredients that are proven effective to change your life. The company is built upon repairing the self-confidence of all of its customers. They pride themselves on quality control, clean ingredients, and testing to bring you the most recent and result-driven products.
From the Nuvadermis store, there’s a stretch mark, scar, hyper, and hypopigmentation correcting cream that also addresses blotchy skin. Natural ingredients like jojoba oil, retinol acid, and allantoin correct pigmentation while collagen, beeswax, hyaluronic acid, and olive oil hydrate the skin. Dimethicone, a derivative of silicone, forms a protective barrier over the skin to lock it all in.
Nuvadermis Stretch Mark Prevention and Repair is not just for the pregnant belly. It is made by dermatologists to keep the stretch marks out of the skin altogether! The cream is fortified with vitamins A and E, collagen, peptides, red algae, and avocado oil to renew, nourish, smooth, and moisturize all areas that are prone to striae. All skin concerns that arise from stretching connective tissues deep within the skin are addressed in one fantastic moisturizer. Apply to clean skin daily for the best results.
This Advanced Scar Gel from Nuvadermis employs retinol, allantoin, vitamin E, and betaine for a skin mark minimizer. These active ingredients work together to minimize the appearance of most scars and moisturize the affected skin. This treatment is created for longer-term use. However, you can use the scar gel in conjunction with the extra-long scar tape bandage to see the results more quickly. The extra-long scar tape is made of quality-tested, medical-grade silicone and is used for all wounds, even atrophic scars.
Nuvadermis Acne “Pimple Patches” soothe, treat, and rescue acne-prone skin with hyaluronic acid, vitamin A, hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil.
Hot Sweat Cream from Nuvadermis is a powerful anti-cellulite cream packed with ginger root extract, vitamins A and E, aloe vera, chamomile, nettle and capsicum extracts, grapeseed, eucalyptus, almond oils, and menthol. This thermal-energized cream will lift, tighten, and smooth cellulite. L-carnitine, caffeine, and MCT will make you sweat to flush out toxins and excess water to reshape, lift, tone, and revitalize your skin.
Nuvadermis Silicone Scar Sheets, tape and strips are perfect for treating keloid, hypertrophic, and surgical scars as well as striae. The tape and sheets are safe, gentle, and latex-free. They are great for all skin types and are breathable, odorless, and water-resistant for 12+ hours. The silicone scar treatment has been tested and approved for new, and old skin traumas. The company uses only the highest quality ingredients. All products are proudly made in the USA.
Scars Don’t Have Their Edge With These Alternatives
Finally, you can feel like you have control over your healed wounds rather than them having control over you! When you’re more informed about the scars that adorn your body, the healing and total acceptance of them can be that much more effective. Take the time to gather up all the opportunities for change, and plot out your plan. Bring your primary care provider and a board-certified dermatologist in on your plans to make them a reality.
With knowledge, passion, and a plan, you can slowly treat scars at home or the dermatologist’s office. It’s time to love your skin again!
