What causes scarring?
chroWondering what causes scarring and how you can make them less noticeable? You’ve come to the right place!
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At some point in your lifetime, you develop a scar. Whether it’s from a mosquito bite, acne or you have an injury. You can develop a scar anytime or anywhere. Literally! Just a couple of days ago I was running some errands and I got injured.
Like dark spots, scars fade away over time but for cosmetic reasons, we treat them to make them less noticeable. I am going to share with you what a scar is, how you can make your scar less visible and how long it takes for it to fade away.
This post is all about what causes scarring.
What is a scar?
To understand how to treat a scar you first need to understand how a scar is developed. A scar is the body’s healing process that occurs after your skin has been injured. According to Clevelandclininc, the skin repairs itself by growing new tissue to pull together the wound and fill in any gaps caused by the injury. In short, a scar is formed after the wound has completely healed. Here are the most common causes of scarring.
- Mosquito bites
- Cut
- Burn
- Surgery
- Acne
- Stretch marks
How to treat different scars
According to AAD (American Academy of Dermatology), you can’t permanently remove a scar but instead, make its appearance less visible. That being said, in order to treat your scar, you need to know what type of scar you have to properly treat. Most of the scars I personally have are from cuts, mosquito bites, or acne. For these types of scars, you can purchase products over the counter to help treat them. Below is an overview of the different types of scars and how you can treat them.
Mosquito bites
A mosquito scar is prone to happen if you tend to scratch the area where you were stung. To treat a mosquito scar you’ll want to treat the scar the moment your wound heals to help the scar fade away faster. Look for creams or ointments with ingredients like Vitamin C or alpha hydroxyl acid. A product that is going to do that and help lighten your skin is Palmer’s cocoa butter. It is budget-friendly, keeps your skin hydrated, and helps create an even tone.
Cuts
Personally speaking, I feel like cuts usually occur when you least expect them. You can get a cut from a paper cut. Mind you it’s a small cut and it probably won’t leave you a big scar but I just wanted to give you an example of what I mean by it occurring when you least expect it. You can treat a cut scar with Pureauty scar cream. This cream is great because it will help with all types of scars old or new. You can also use this product on your face and body.
Burns
Getting a burn usually occurs when you’re dealing with hot tools ( kitchen stove or styling heat products). I have unfortunately encountered both and let me just say they are painful! A tip I have learned though is to apply a couple of drops of mustard on the burn to help soothe the area. Once the burning sensation has passed and the burn has eventually healed I use an over-the-counter product to deal with the scar that was left behind. A good product to use would be Derma-e. Not only does it help fade the appearance of the scar but it also moisturizes the skin. Before using it make sure that your wound is fully healed and follow the instructions for the best results.
Acne
If you tend to pick at your acne you’re going to be left with a dark spot or a scar. You want to make sure to avoid doing this so it heals properly. However, if you previously popped a pimple and were left with a scar there are products sold over the counter that can help make your scars less visible. When getting rid of acne scars look for products that have ingredients like retinol, vitamin c, and azelaic acid. Here are 2 of the best products to use on acne scars.
Here’s why you’ll love it
- Helps with old acne scars
- Affordable
- Works on sensitive skin
- Doctor and pharmacist recommended
Here’s why you’ll love it
- Great for all skin types
- Contains Vitamin C
- Has additional benefits for your skin
How long does it take to remove a scar?
The time it takes a scar to fade, depends on different factors like the size and shape of your scar.
As previously mentioned above you can’t permanently get rid of a scar but instead, help it fade away and have an even skin tone. How regularly you apply a product to your scar is another factor that is also going to depend on how fast it fades.
All in all, the time it takes for a scar to fade away is going to be anywhere between 1-2 years. As someone who has had different types of scars, I can say that even though they fade away on their own, applying products definitely helps speed up the process.
TAKEAWAYS
- Always check in with a health care provider before treating a scar especially if your scar is from surgery.
- The time it takes to remove your scar depends on how old it is, its size, and how often you use the product.
- Make sure to follow the instructions listed on the product for the best results.
- Avoid picking at the scab so that it heals properly.
This post was all about what causes scarring.
Sources
Scars: Treatment and cause. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11030-scars
Scars: Diagnosis and treatment. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-treatment
