Wheat germ oil is a viscous, golden dark oil made from pressed wheat germ. It contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamin E. In fact, it is one of the highest natural sources of vitamin E. It also contains vitamin K, phytosterols, antioxidants, and choline, but in lesser amounts. Due to its high level of antioxidants, nutrients, and essential fatty acids, wheat germ oil helps regenerate scar tissue and lubricate the skin.
Apply wheat germ oil to the scar as soon as it has formed. New scars tend to heal faster than old scars, so do not wait to begin treatment. It takes new scars approximately three months to respond to treatment while old scars can take twice as much time or even longer.
Make sure that the wheat germ oil is fresh. At the health food store, inspect it closely and ensure that it has been stored properly. After purchasing, keep it in a cool, dark place, such as the back of a fridge.
If not stored properly, wheat germ oil goes rancid within days. Rancid wheat germ is not only deficient in vitamin E, which is the main skin rejuvenator, but it has also been identified as a possible carcinogen. Smell the wheat germ oil to make sure that it is still fresh, or taste a drop of it. If it smells rotten or tastes bitter (wheat germ oil should taste nutty), then it is not good.
Before applying the oil, exfoliate the skin well. Use an exfoliating body wash, a skin brush, a peel, a loofah, or a body scrub. Find what exfoliating method works best for you. Exfoliating will help the oil penetrate the skin deeper and slough off dead scar tissue. It will also help stimulate blood circulation.
Massage the wheat germ oil into the skin often. Use two to three times a day or even more. The massage action will jumpstart localized blood circulation, thereby helping to rejuvenate the skin underneath. When the blood beneath the scarred skin is circulating, the skin can then receive vital nutrients that will help it heal.
Eat a well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water. In particular, get plenty of vitamin A, C, and E, minerals, and essential fatty acids since those nutrients are critical for skin health. Healing usually begins from the inside out, and skin needs nutrients in order to repair itself.
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