Supplements for Healing Scars
Scars result when the skin repairs itself after being injured. Scars do not fully disappear, but they can fade in color and texture. Supplements may be able to help minimize scars during the healing process.
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Vitamin C
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According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin C helps build collagen (a protein), which promotes the growth and repair of tissues such as skin. Vitamin C can be found in foods, especially citrus fruits, or in pill form.
Vitamin E
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Some patients report that vitamin E, an antioxidant, has softened scars when applied topically. The NIH indicates that topical vitamin E could make scarring worse because of irritation.
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Aloe Vera
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Aloe vera stimulates collagen formation and wound healing, according to The People's Pharmacy. The gel from this plant moisturizes the skin and helps scars fade.
Zinc
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Zinc, an immune booster, promotes faster wound healing. This mineral can be taken in supplement form or found in foods such as pumpkin and sunflower seeds, turkey, beef and cheddar cheese.
Honey
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According to Dr. Andrew Weil, honey has antibacterial properties that help speed the healing of wounds. Honey also helps the skin retain moisture and reduces swelling so scarring is minimized.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of J
