Magically Reduce the Appearance of Scars

Scars often result when an individual suffers a wound, disease, surgical procedure or burn. A scar is formed when fibrous tissue replaces the skin tissue that was damaged. This new tissue is composed of collagen--just like the old skin--but the area is raised and often appears red. Proper care of the affected skin is required to aid in the healing of scars.

Step 1
Apply pressure bandaging to the damaged area of skin to help minimize scarring. This should be done as soon after injury or surgery as possible in order to help keep the area flat. Your doctor can provide you with these bandages or you can purchase them from a medical supply company.

Step 2
Administer a healing silicone cream or gel to the injured area and cover with surgical tape. According to the "Go Ask Alice" website from Columbia University, the silicone works to both flatten and lighten the color of scars. It is not known how silicone is able to produce these results but some believe it is due to the trapping of moisture in the area while other researchers believe the static electricity causes alignment of the collagen fibers that develop in the area.

Step 3
Use onion extract to help with scarring. Apply the extract directly to the scarred site once a day for several months. According to the "Go Ask Alice" website, the onion extract helps control the overproduction of collagen and is an anti-inflammatory agent.

Step 4
Massage the scarred area to help flatten the newly formed tissue. Consult with your physician as to when to begin this treatment at home as you do not want to interfere with healing.

Step 5
Consider interferon injections to minimize the appearance of your scar. This chemical agent helps soften the scar as well as smooth it. Interferon therapy is linked with several side effects including flu-like symptoms, upset stomach and even depression.

Step 6
Opt for a chemical peel to diminish the appearance of your scar. A chemical peel removes the top layer of skin so that the scar is smoother and closer to the color of the surrounding skin. The American Academy of Dermatology states this type of therapy works best for superficial, rather than deep, scars.

Step 7
Schedule a dermabrasion session following a consult with your dermatologist. Dermabrasion is the removal of the top layers of skin rather than just the uppermost layer as in a chemical peel. This procedure can be effective in reducing the appearance of many scars but may require several sessions.

Step 8
Seek advice from your dermatologist regarding surgical revision of your scar. Surgery is a drastic measure which should only be considered for extreme cases of scarring. The NHS Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) maintains that a long or wide scar responds best to this form of treatment as the scar is excised and skin is rejoined to make a smaller, less obvious area of scarring.

Tips
Give your scar time to heal before considering surgical treatments. Some scars which appear severe initially may diminish greatly after a few months.

Strategic use of cosmetics can reduce the appearance of scars. Consult a make-up expert to aid you in learning to conceal these areas.