How Plant Extracts Can Diminish the Appearance of Scars
Posted on February 20, 2024 Written by: 100% PURE®
One of the top skincare conundrums of all time: how to diminish scars. Whether it’s from pregnancy, surgery, or normal growth, scars can be an unavoidable part of your body’s healing process.
However, those who wish to lessen the look of scars do have a few options for reducing their appearance. We’ll take a closer look at scars, and explore how natural essential oils can support long-term scar management.
Scars form as part of the body's natural healing process. Scars are damage caused to the inner layers of the skin. The body responds by repairing the damaged tissue, which creates scar tissue.
Scar tissue is a collection of cells and collagen that covers the area of the injury. This tissue can form in a variety of ways, including:
#1. Keloid Scar
A keloid is a raised, red-skin colored plaque of scar tissue that can form where the skin is damaged. Common causes are an incision, a piercing, a burn, chickenpox, or acne. Keloids can rub against your clothes and become irritated. When exposed to the sun, they may turn darker than the rest of your skin.
#2. Hypertrophic Scar
A hypertrophic scar is a raised, pink-skin colored scar that forms more commonly in taut skin areas like your back, chest, and shoulders. Unlike keloids, which can grow beyond the original wound area, hypertrophic scars stay within the damaged area. They can be itchy and painful, but more often are simply a cosmetic issue.
#3. Contracture Scar
If your skin has been burned, you may have a contracture scar. Contractures occur when the burn scar matures, thickens, and tightens. This tightened skin can impair the movement of the affected area, especially if it occurs over a joint.
#4. Depressed (Atrophic) Scar
These sunken scars often result from chickenpox or acne. They look like rounded pits or small indentations (sometimes called ice pick scars) in the skin.
#5. Stretch Marks
Stretch marks often develop during pregnancy, puberty, or after gaining or losing weight. They usually appear on the breasts, stomach, thighs, and upper arms. They may appear red or purple at first, and usually lighten over time.
The answer depends on two things: type of scar and cause of scar. Surgery scars, large keloids, contractures, and scars over areas of movement may require medical treatment. Scars caused by minor cuts, scrapes, and lesions can become less noticeable with proper treatment of the wound at home.
The sooner you start caring for your scar, the better your chance for healing success. Timing is also important; give your wound TLC while it’s healing to help minimize the appearance of a scar, rather than allowing the passage of time.
Although no scar can be completely erased, at-home options like scar management and skin support may be a more realistic goal for the treatment of your scar. Hastening the healing and fading process with natural, botanically derived ingredients – like essential oils – is a great option!
While some scars can fade over time, others can’t always be avoided. There isn’t conclusive research that proves topical treatment can make scars disappear completely. Yet for those experiencing less obtrusive scars or stretch marks, it has been suggested that essential oils may be able to help reduce their appearance.
Since certain essential oils have anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial characteristics – or sometimes both – and these properties can help wounds heal and improve skin health overall. Let’s take a closer look at the potential benefits of using popular essential oils as effective options for promoting wound healing and lessening the appearance of scars.
#1. Helichrysum
Also called the Everlasting flower or curry plant, helichrysum has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that keep bacteria at bay. This could prevent infection and encourage wound healing, potentially resulting in less scarring.
If there’s one thing our skin doesn’t need from scar management, it’s harsh ingredients. Our Green Tea Cloud Foam Cleanser is free of artificial dyes and perfumes, and features helichrysum flower to help decrease inflammation while gently toning the complexion.
#2. Lavender
Its delicate purple flowers and divine fragrance are key giveaways for unlocking the beautiful properties of lavender essential oil, which has been primarily used to promote calmness and encourage healing. Lavender is beloved for its antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it ideal for fighting acne and refreshing tired skin.
That’s why we knew the purifying powers of lavender would be ideal in our Lavender Oat Milk Soothing Cleanser. Colloidal oatmeal's moisturizing properties, combined with the deep purification of lavender and the restorative magic of echinacea, make this product a must-have for every beauty aficionado.
If lavender oil can promote calmness and healing, imagine the power it can have for your body. Our Lavender Body Scrub features a happy marriage of scar-healing vitamin E and lavender essential oil that work to lighten the appearance of scarring, while banishing acne-causing bacteria.
#3. Tea Tree
Tea tree is one of the most widely used essential oils, and most recognized for antimicrobial and antifungal benefits that prevent infection in healing skin. Our Tea Tree Deep Detox Mask is a concentrated, clarifying mask made with natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as peppermint and eucalyptus oils. Salicylic acid, lactic acid, and turmeric gently soothe skin and reduce the appearance of acne scars.
If you need a spot treatment, our Tea Tree Concentrated Spot Treatment is made with detoxifying herbs to calm and clarify active blemishes. Concentrations of tea tree and neem essential oils rapidly reduce inflammation, while lactic acid and witch hazel lessen the appearance of acne scars.
#4. Geranium
This flowering shrub has been traditionally used to treat skin disorders such as eczema. Since geranium oil has antibacterial properties, it may help keep wounds clean and encourage healing, which can help prevent or reduce scarring.
The gentle properties associated with using calendula for skin is the main reason why it’s featured in one of our favorite cleansers: the Calendula Flower Cleansing Milk. This gently foaming cleanser utilizes moisturizing sea buckthorn oil, hydrating rose hydrosol, and calming chamomile to deeply nourish and soften both dry and sensitive skin types. It benefits healing skin by supporting hydration and removing impurities, without leaving your skin feeling stripped or irritated.
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#5. Chamomile
For most of us, chamomile just brings to our mind soothing cups of chamomile tea. But chamomile has much more to offer! Chamomile essential oil can benefit your skin by helping to diminish the appearance of dark spots and scars.
In terms of scar management, our Rose Water Gel Cleanser is made with calming calendula flowers, and employs balancing rose hydrosol to restore and protect the moisture barrier. Pair this with our skin-plumping Rose Hyaluronic Acid Serum to help restore youthful bounce and elasticity to skin. Beta glucan and sodium PCA support a toned, youthful appearance by banishing redness and protecting essential moisture levels for deeper skin-soothing benefits.
Though a scar is a perfectly normal reaction of the body healing and nothing to hide – and often is a badge of honor - you might choose to embrace it or desire to lessen the appearance of it. The great news is either option is courage in and of itself, and if you want to reduce the look of your scar, there are essential oils and natural treatments to help guide you there.
The bottom line: essential oils are capable of promoting wound healing, and are excellent for helping to lessen the appearance of scars. Above all, don’t forget: scars and stretch marks don’t need to be erased. They should be supported and nurtured just like the rest of our precious skin! Now, that’s a true badge of courage!
Can Tea Tree Oil Help Minimize Acne Scars?
Tea tree is one of the most widely used essential oils, and most recognized for antimicrobial and antifungal benefits that prevent infection in healing skin. Tree tree oil’s anti-inflammatory properties and acne-fighting super powers suggest it can be used on scars as well.
What Makes Lavender Oil Beneficial for Scars?
Lavender is beloved for its antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it ideal for fighting acne and refreshing tired skin. It’s especially soothing and healing for scars and wound healing.
What Are the Best Carrier Oils to Mix with Essential Oils for Scars?
Since certain essential oils have anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial characteristics – or sometimes both –these properties can help wounds heal and improve skin health overall. It’s best to decide what type of scar you have to find the best essential oil to help with the proper healing of your scar.
How Often Should Essential Oils Be Applied to Scars for Best Results?
Twice a day.
It’s best to apply twice a day for best results.
Yes.
Are There Any Precautions When Using Essential Oils on Sensitive Skin Areas?
For sensitive or reactive skin, it’s best to patch test for sensitivities.
- Tags: February-2024, Ingredients, Skin Care, skincare
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The information in this article is for educational use, and not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as such.
