Many people love their scars. They tell a story and show that your body actually did what it’s supposed to do: it healed itself. It’s pretty amazing, when you think about it. However, you can still appreciate that phenomenon and still want to get rid of your scars. According to ScarGuard and Monica’s Beauty, here are the top ingredients to check for in your scar treatment:
● Silicone Sheets: This is the only proven method to treat scars. The sheet part is important. It’s like a band aid instead of a silicone topical cream because the added pressure reduces capillary activity (which reduces collagen, meaning there’s less redness and it flattens the skin). The silicone works to hydrate the skin, restoring the natural texture and color, and soften the tissue (which helps it to stop forming and fade away what’s already formed). Did you know scars can sometimes form for up to two years? So there’s plenty of time to stop the growth, though silicone sheets can be used as soon as the cut itself has healed (and there’s no more scabbing).
● Vitamin E (Found in Soy): This vitamin promotes your body’s natural healing and regeneration through its antioxidants which is an ideal scar treatment since most keloid scars are a result of an over-active healing process. Soy is very rich in Vitamin E and helps even out the skin (focusing on blotchiness and discoloration, which is usually the main concern with scars). Soy also contains lecithin which helps maintain the elasticity of the skin to tighten any ballooning near the scar.
● ProVitamin B5: This vitamin nourishes and heals the top layer of the skin, specifically, by naturally plumping and softening. The moisture “fills out” the top area where it’s applied, so when placed on a scar, the skin will naturally stretch and heal those fine lines. This process also makes the vitamin a great anti-aging moisturizer, and it’s used as an ingredient to treat many skin disorders like irritation and other scar damage.
● Cortisone: This treats redness and swelling by reducing skin inflammation, but cortisone cream might dry out your skin, so talk to your dermatologist about finding a moisturizer as well that can work with the topical cortisone cream. Cortisone cream can also make you more sensitive the sun (and intense sunlight already makes scarring worse), so make sure you’re minimizing additional damage when using a cortisone cream on your scars. Consider pairing it with a sunscreen when outside, and a moisturizer when inside.
● Pentavitin: This is a plant-based natural addition to moisturizer which was developed by Centerchem. It’s similar to the carbohydrates already found in your skin, which is why it’s so effective. It moisturizes, soothes, and repairs the area to which it is applied.
● Bilberry: This herb strengthens blood vessels and capillary walls while stabilizing collagen tissue, and increased collagen production is what causes the scar to form. This anti-inflammatory is a great way to combat that natural process, but it’s a strong anti-inflammatory, so talk to your doctor before you decide to take it.
● Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a form of natural vitamin B3 and has a lot of anti-aging properties as well as scar treatment capabilities. It improves elasticity, enhances barrier functions, erases discolorations, and rejuvenates the skin’s natural tone and texture.
Remember there is no quick-fix scar products, however if you do your research, you may end find something that works for you. This is a slow process because scars can actually take up to two years to form, so it’s only fair to give your scar medicine at least a month or two to see results. If you're having difficulty treating your scars, consult your dermatologist to figure out the next step for you.