Scarring Prevention and Treatment Options

Summer visor? Check. 

Chic sunglasses? Check. 

Sunscreen? Check. 

Daisy Duke shorts? Rain check.

The sun’s out, but you’re still hesitant about letting your legs out due to a pesky thigh scar you developed years ago. You’re not the only one, either. Research shows that scarring is among Americans’ top skin-related insecurities, with 27% of people citing cuts and other skin injuries as the reasons for their low self-esteem when it comes to physical appearance. Twenty-two percent said surgery scars were the problem.

The good news? Your scars don’t have to define you or dim your shine this summer. Let’s explore a few scarring prevention tips and treatment options that may help you say goodbye to blemishes and hello to the amazing skin you’ve been missing.

Prevention Tip #1: Practice Excellent Wound Care

Cleaning a skin injury with water and a gentle soap right away may help prevent infection, which is critical since infections may exacerbate scarring. Use an antiseptic like isopropyl alcohol to further avoid infection, and pat dry the area using sterile gauze or a cloth.

Don’t leave the wound dry, though. Keep the site moist by rubbing petroleum jelly on the wound and placing a bandage over it. This may prevent scabbing and reduce scarring.

Prevention Tip #2: Minimize Sunlight

Avoiding direct sun exposure is one of the easiest ways to prevent scarring when you have a fresh wound, as ultraviolet rays may darken scars. Try to prevent sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when ultraviolet radiation is the strongest.

This doesn’t mean you have to hide from the sun and miss out on beach time with the family, though. When outdoors, apply broad-spectrum sunblock with an SPF of 30 or more to your healing wound, and reapply every couple of hours. Covering the wound with clothing or a bandage may also protect it from sunlight.

Prevention Tip #3: Resist the Urge to Pick a Scab

Don’t disrupt the wound-healing process by picking your scab, which may increase your chances of scarring by reopening the area. An itching cream or light moisturizer may help relieve itching so you don’t feel the need to pick at your scab or scratch the site.

Treatment Tip #1: Topical Treatment Options

Topical solutions like serums and black seed oil may help improve a scar’s appearance. Look for a calming serum containing natural ingredients like eucalyptus tree/shrub leaves, spike moss (fernlike seedless plant), and dodder seed (parasitic vine seed). This overnight skincare serum may help treat troubled skin and blemishes while leaving your skin breathy and light. Black cumin oil, derived from a plant called Nigella sativa, features powerful antioxidants (compounds that may prevent cell damage) and anti-inflammatory properties that may help make scars less noticeable by reducing swelling and redness around them. The oil’s compounds also support natural healing, which may help damaged skin recover more quickly.

Treatment Tip #2: Dermatological Options

Severe scars may warrant dermatological treatments like steroid injections, microdermabrasion, or laser therapy. Steroid injections are designed to flatten elevated scars and relieve inflammation, while microdermabrasion is a procedure that may help exfoliate the skin’s top layer to decrease a scar’s appearance. Laser therapy involves using concentrated light to eliminate the top skin layer or promote the growth of new cells, potentially improving your skin’s texture.

Treatment Tip #3: Silicone Sheets

Silicone sheets, which are reusable and self-adhering, might help reduce the redness, hardness, and size of a raised scar. A silicone sheet forms a protective barrier around the scar, retaining moisture and controlling collagen production. This flattens and softens elevated scars. Wearing them for 12 hours or more daily for a few weeks may lead to noticeable improvement.

Elevate Your Skin’s Appearance Today

Scarring can make you feel self-conscious, causing you to cover up when you’d rather let your skin soak up the sun. Fortunately, you can prevent scars by practicing excellent wound care, minimizing direct sunlight on wounds, and not picking scabs. Treatments like silicone sheets, black seed oil, skin serums, and dermatological solutions may also help improve the look of an existing scar. Consider all the above-listed tips as you seek to win the battle against scars and take your appearance to the next level this summer!