How to Remove Scars

Scars can be annoying, uncomfortable, and unsightly. In some cases, scarring can cause more serious problems, such as limited range of motion. Fortunately, there are many medical and natural remedies that you can try to deal with the scar that bothers you. For scars that are not very serious, you can try natural remedies like rosehip oil or onion extract. If home remedies don’t work, try over-the-counter medications or ask your doctor about stronger methods. You can also prevent or limit scarring with proper wound care.

Table of Contents

Apply natural therapies

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Try applying rosehip oil daily. There is some evidence that rosehip oil when applied to scars every day for 6 months or longer can significantly fade scars. ^{[1] X Source of Research} Dilute rosehip oil with a carrier oil such as coconut or avocado oil and apply to the scar twice daily for several weeks or until you see improvement. ^{[2] X Research Source}

You can find rosehip oil at health care stores, drugstores, or online.
Do not apply rosehip or any other essential oils directly to the skin, as they can cause irritation. You need to dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil or moisturizer first. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
Use 15 drops of rosehip oil for every 30 ml of an optional carrier oil (such as coconut or olive oil) unless your doctor recommends otherwise. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Use onion extract to soften scars. Studies show that applying onion extract to scars every day for at least 4 weeks can soften scar tissue and improve scarring. ^{[5] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source} Look for an over-the-counter scar remedy that contains onion extract and use it according to the directions on the package.

You can buy pure onion extract in liquid form or in a gel or ointment that contains onion extract. Look online if you can’t find it in pharmacies or health care stores.

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Apply vitamin E ointment to the scar with caution. There is conflicting evidence about the effectiveness of vitamin E in the treatment of scars. Some studies show that vitamin E improves scarring, while others suggest that vitamin E can be irritating and do more harm than good. ^{[6] X Research Source} Talk to your doctor about using vitamin E ointment and carefully follow the directions on the package.

You should initially apply a thin layer of vitamin E ointment to the scar, then gradually increase the dose if there is no bad reaction. Take only the dosage directed on the product label or as advised by your doctor.
Stop using the ointment if you experience side effects such as skin irritation, itching, burning, redness, or rash.
If you decide to try vitamin E ointment, you’ll need to test your skin first. Apply a small amount of ointment to an inconspicuous area of skin such as the knees or behind the ears and wait 24-48 hours to see if there is any reaction.

Using medical methods

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Try an over-the-counter silicone gel to treat new or old scars. Silicone gel or silicone patch is one of the most effective home remedies for scars. Although silicone is most effective on new scars, it can also soften and fade old scars. For best results, you should apply the gel or silicone patch for 8-24 hours a day for several months. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

You can buy scar gel or silicone patches at most drugstores or order them online.

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Use scar cream for small scars. There are many over-the-counter creams and ointments on the market that work to fade scars. ^{[8] X Trusted Source Cleveland Clinic Go to Source} Carefully read ingredients on product labels and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns or questions. Look for products with ingredients like:

Retinp cream. These products are particularly effective in treating scars. ^{[9] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}
Glypic acid. This ingredient has also been shown to effectively reduce acne scars, especially when combined with retinoic acid. ^{[10] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}
Protective or moisturizing ingredients such as oxybenzone (sunscreen), mineral oil wax, or paraffin. ^{[11] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

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Learn how to use chemical peels at home or in the clinic to treat mild scars. Chemical peels often work well for scars that are not too thick or deep, such as those left by acne or chickenpox. Ask your dermatologist about in-clinic chemical peels. You can also buy over-the-counter chemical peels to use at home. ^{[12] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Skin peels with over-the-counter products are usually not as effective as professional peels, but they can also help fade mild scars.
Peeling products containing glycpic acid or salicylic acid-mandelic acid can be very effective.

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Ask your doctor about fillers for deep scars. If you have deep or concave scars, soft tissue fillers can help improve scarring. With this procedure, your doctor injects a soft substance, such as fat or hyaluronic acid, into the tissue below the scar to fill it up. Talk to your doctor to see if this method is right for you. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Filler injections are a temporary solution, as the injected substance breaks down over time. You may need to get the shot again every 6 months.

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Learn how to use skin scraping to treat acne or chickenpox scars. Similar to chemical peels, dermabrasion is a commonly used method to smooth the surface of the skin. With this method, the doctor will use a metal brush motor to safely abrade the scar tissue. The procedure is usually fairly quick, but it can be a little uncomfortable because you’re awake. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Your doctor may ask you to stop using certain medications, such as aspirin, and some skin care products before the procedure.
You should also avoid smoking both before and after the procedure.
Once your skin has recovered from the dermabrasion procedure, you need to protect it by applying sunscreen, cleaning your skin regularly, and applying ointments as advised by your doctor.

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Consider laser therapy for severe scars. While it doesn’t actually remove scars, laser therapy can significantly improve scarring and reduce complications associated with scar tissue, such as pain, itching, and stiffness. ^{[15] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to source} If you have a severe scar, ask your doctor about laser or light therapy.

The effectiveness of this method depends on many factors, including your medical conditions and the medications you are taking, if any. You need to give your doctor detailed health information before using laser therapy.
Carefully follow home care instructions for maximum effectiveness. For example, you will need to protect your skin from sunlight after your treatment until your skin has fully recovered.
Certain medications, supplements, or stimulants can slow the healing process and make laser therapy less effective. These include tobacco, vitamin E, aspirin, and topicals containing glycpic acid or retinoids.

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Talk to your doctor about scar correction surgery. If you have an annoying scar that doesn’t work with other treatments, talk to your doctor about surgical options. Scars will be thinned, shortened, camouflaged, even hidden in places like wrinkles and hairlines. ^{[16] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

If you choose to have scar surgery, you should set realistic expectations. Surgery may not completely remove the scar, and you may need multiple surgeries to get the best results.
Not all scars are suitable for surgical therapy. Talk to your dermatologist or esthetician to see if this is a good option for you.
Scar correction surgery is most appropriate for scars that are 12-18 months old or older.

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Ask your doctor about skin graft surgery to treat particularly deep scars. With this procedure, the surgeon removes a small piece of normal, healthy skin from a different location to replace the scar tissue. They will cut away the scar tissue and graft a piece of healthy skin into the spot. Ask your doctor if this method is appropriate for your type of scar. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Skin grafts are usually taken behind the earlobe.
You may need a skin resurfacing treatment several weeks after surgery to correct the difference in color and texture between the graft and the surrounding skin.
Follow your doctor’s instructions on skin care both before and after surgery for the best results.

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Consider cryosurgery for thickened or raised scars. During cryosurgery, the doctor injects liquid nitrogen into the scar to freeze the scar tissue. This therapy will kill the scar tissue and eventually slough off. You will need to carefully care for your wound after surgery to make sure the scar heals well. ^{[18] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Scar tissue can take weeks to fall off, and several more weeks for the skin to heal.
Follow your doctor’s instructions for home care. You will be shown how to bandage and keep the wound clean.
Your doctor will give you medicine to help you control pain during and after treatment.
Cryotherapy can affect the color or pigmentation of the skin.

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Inject cortisone to soften hard scars. Steroid injections help to shrink and flatten hard scars. This therapy is especially effective in improving keloids and hypertrophy caused by overreaction during the healing process. ^{[19] X Trusted Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Go to the source} In most cases, you’ll need a cortisone shot every four to six weeks until the therapy kicks in. Check with your doctor to see if this is a good option for you.

Corticosteroid injections are most effective when combined with other methods, such as cryotherapy. ^{[20] X Trusted Source American Academy of Family Physicians Go to Source}
Your doctor may combine steroid injections with local anesthetics to relieve pain.
Cortisone injections can lead to skin atrophy, skin ulcers, and increased or decreased skin pigmentation.

Prevent and reduce scars

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Wash new wounds regularly. Keeping the wound clean can help prevent infection, irritation, and scar formation. Wash the wound daily with warm water and mild soap to remove germs, dirt, and debris. ^{[21] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

Avoid soaps that contain strong fragrances or dyes.
If the wound is being treated medically, you need to wash and bandage the wound as directed by your doctor.
Don’t bother about antibacterial soap. Studies show that antibacterial soap is no more effective than regular soap at preventing infections, and may do more harm than good. ^{[22] X Trusted Source US Food and Drug Administration Go to source}

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Moisturize the wound with mineral oil wax during the healing period. Scaly wounds are often at risk of scarring. To avoid scaling, you should apply a moisturizing mineral oil wax (such as Vaseline cream) to the cleaned wound. Cover the wound to keep the wound clean and moist. ^{[23] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

Change the dressing, wash the wound, and reapply the cream daily, or whenever the ball is wet or dirty.

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Treat burns with aloe vera. Medical researchers have found that aloe vera is able to heal burns more effectively than mineral oil wax. ^{[24] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source} To limit scarring, apply 100% pure aloe vera gel until the wound heals.

2nd or 3rd degree burns with an area larger than 7.5 cm require urgent medical attention. Do not attempt to treat severe burns yourself.
You can also go to your doctor for a prescription for silver sulfadiazine to prevent infection for second- and third-degree burns.

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Do not expose the scar to direct sunlight during the healing period. Even after the wound has healed, you still have to protect the skin to limit scarring. If there is a new scar after the wound has healed, apply sunscreen or cover up with clothing (such as a long-sleeved shirt) until the scar fades or disappears. ^{[25] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
With surgical scars, your doctor will usually recommend staying out of the sun for at least a year. ^{[26] X Trusted Source Seattle Children’s Hospital Go to Source}

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Go for suture removal as directed by your doctor. If the wound requires stitches, you can limit scarring by having your limb amputated within the time frame your doctor recommends. Suture removal too late or too early can lead to more severe scarring. ^{[27] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

Do not try to trim the thread yourself at home. Go to a medical facility to have the stitches removed.
Facial sutures are usually removed after 3-5 days, after 7-10 days with sutures on the scalp and chest, and after 10-14 days with sutures on the limbs.

Warning

There is not much evidence to support the effectiveness of home remedies for scars such as applying honey or olive oil. Other natural remedies, such as lemon juice, can irritate the skin and make scarring worse. ^{[28] X Research Source} Talk to your GP or dermatologist before trying home remedies for scars.
Avoid applying topicals or oils and natural extracts to open wounds or unhealed scars, unless advised by your doctor.

Steps

Apply natural therapies

Using medical methods

Prevent and reduce scars

Warning

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