How to Prevent Scarring and Fade or Lighten an Existing Scar

Member

By sharshar1975
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (4 Ratings)

scar prevention and treatment

Scars can be unsightly and sometimes just plain ugly. The good news is there are some things you can do to help prevent scarring and also to lighten or fade an existing scar.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Scarring occurs after injury to the skin tissue. It is natural as it is the bodies way of healing and repairing the damaged area. This said, scars are still not welcomed by most of us. There are a few steps you can take to help minimize scarring.
Step 2

The first step in preventing scarring is to properly treat the injured area. Wash cuts thoroughly with soap and water or a product such as Johnson Wound Wash. Use an antibiotic ointment such as neosporin daily and keep the bandaged changed often. Basically just exercise good wound care.
Step 3

Now for the second step in the scar prevention process it is important to understand what causes scars to form in the fist place. When your skin is broken the bodies natural defense mechanisms set in. The second layer of skin is called the Dermis. When the dermis of an otherwise healthy person is broken a mass of red and white blood cells rush to the site in effort to form a clot. This is what slows and eventually stops bleeding. Cells called fibroblast accompany the red and white cells. Fibroblasts have a unique purpose in the fact that they produce collagen which is the bodies special protein that repairs and builds new skin. Collagen is beneficial but the problem is sometimes too much collagen is produces thus staying behind and causing visible scar tissue.
Step 4

So the second step in preventing scars is to try and avoid the excess collagen from forming. By the second week after your injury the skin should be closed and growing back together. Begin applying plain petroleum jelly(vaseline) to the site. This will aid in preventing scabs from forming as well as extra collagen. As well a scar preventative bandage of pad may be beneficial, as they exert mild pressure which can also slow collagen production. Such bandages and pads can be found at your local drug store.
Step 5

Vitamin E Oil Scar Prevention

Nature provides us with one of the most effective scar treatment / preventatives. Pure vitamin E oil does wanders in both scar prevention and treatment. Just rub a generous amount on the area a couple of times a day. Keep in mind that it takes approximately 12 months for the process of new skin to develop after injury. So in return it may take as long for scars to develop fully. You may want to continue your vitamin E regimen for a while. For several weeks at least.