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Tips for Improving Scars
Whilst professional treatments like DermaEraze Scar Treatment and laser therapy offer effective solutions for scar reduction, there are also various home remedies and self-care techniques that you can use to minimise the appearance of scars. These are our favourite tips for healing scars at home.
Understanding Different Types of Scars
- Hypertrophic Scars: These raised, thickened scars that develop as a result of excessive collagen production during the healing process. These scars are bumpy and they grow within the borders of the actual scar. In clinic we treat these with Cortisol injections.
- Atrophic Scars: These are Depressed or sunken scars form when underlying skin tissue, fat or muscle is lost or damaged. In clinic we treat these scars with dermal filler to bring them flush to the rest of the skin.
- Keloid Scars: Thick, raised scars that extend beyond the boundaries of the original injury site, often associated with genetic predisposition. These scars are the most difficult to treat. We also treat these with injections in clinic to try to smooth them out.
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If your scars are fairly new and still red, you are not yet suitable for DermaEraze yet. Best results are seen once the scar has gone white. However, if your scar is over 2 years old and still red or dark then it would be a good idea to see you.
Oils For Scars That Work
Some scars take a very long time to heal and it may be worth giving your body a helping hand. There are many lotions and potions that you can buy that promise all sorts of miracles. Don’t be fooled. Although some may help, the fact is that everything your body needs to enhance the healing process is contained in four oils, Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil and Avocado Oil. You can purchased online or at your local food shop.
Mix the oils in equal parts. Try to keep the area moist or sticky with oil. Your skin loves moisture when it regenerates. These oils are full of vitamins and minerals that your skin needs to heal. We suggest this oil for stretch marks as well.
Also this makes a very effective hair and scalp oil for growth and strong hair. Apply generously to hair and scalp the night before hair wash day and sleep with it.
Silicone Scar Gel Sheets
Silicone Strips, from your local chemist and also available On Amazon HERE are the scar holy grail. They used to be excruciatingly expensive and difficult to use. Thankfully prices of silicone scar gel sheets have come down and quality has improved. We recommend sleeping with them and using the oil during the day. Although some find using them around the clock quite helpful specially on newer scars. Only buy the SHEETS, the gel simply does not work as well.
Massage Therapy Advise
Gentle massage can help break up scar tissue and improve blood circulation to the affected area. Using circular motions, massage oil into the scarred skin for several minutes each day to promote healing and reduce stiffness. A small hand held massager can help making the massage more effective.
Compression Garments
If you’re prone to Keloid or Hyperthrofic scars, along with the silicone scar get sheets, a bit of compression is very helpful. Depending on where your scar is, you can use any sort of affordable compression garments. If you have plastic surgery scars, you will be given garments by your surgeon.
Sun Protection
Protecting scars from sun exposure is essential for preventing hyperpigmentation and minimising scar discoloration. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to scarred areas whenever exposed to sunlight.
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Keloid and Hypotrophic Scars
If your scars are raised, you may be looking at keloids or Hypotrophic scard. These are notoriously difficult to get rid of and often require injections. We suggest that you speak to your GP about them. You can read the NHS recommendations for Keloid Scars Here. Keloids happen when the cut is deep and there is a huge genetic factor to them.
In addition to these tips for healing scars, adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate hydration can support overall skin health and promote scar healing from within.
People from Asian and Afro Caribbean decent have a much higher chance of developing keloid scars than other ethnic groups. The best product for raised scars is the silicone car gel strips. Keep them on 24/7 if possible and you should see an improvement.
How to book
If you wish to speak to us you can book a free video consultation HERE.
You can book online here, by choosing the “Scar Removal” option. or a free online Whatsapp consultation HERE. If you would like more information and would prefer to speak to a member of our team you can reach us on 0800 0029696
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