Scar Tissue:
The skin that forms a scar is different than other skin; it’s made up of tough, fibrous cells called fibroblasts which are meant to keep your scar from opening up on you and embarrassing you in front of you friends with your guts all falling out and stuff.
How to Get Rid of Scars
Natural Scar Treatment:
The Aloe Plant. There aren’t enough words in the English language to express just how wonderful the Aloe plant is. The thing is, Aloe (either in a cream or the raw juice) needs to be applied while the wound is still new or healing. Aloe is a great scar treatment if it is applied in a timely and regular manner. Using Aloe as a scar removal treatment, that is after the scar has healed, is not an effective way to get rid of scars.
Lemon juice, as the hens in the hen house will tell you, is a natural bleach and will help you get rid of a scar. Though the application of lemon juice to a scar does have some effect, it is not because it bleaches your skin. If that were true, we’d all be drinking whiskey straight from the bottle, biting down on pieces of leather, and pouring Clorox on our wounds. Lemon juice is an acid, and like all acids, it exfoliates the skin. It is also good for tenderizing meat, which is why it helps to moisten and remove the tough fibroblasts that scar tissue is made of.
Getting rid of scars isn’t something that happens overnight, whether it’s scars from acne or a scar leftover from surgery. I’ve had this hernia scar for over four years now, and it’s only because I’ve grown more belly hair that makes harder to see than anything. But treating a scar and getting it to fade is possible. Creams, ointments, and scar sheets are the more practical methods of scar removal, but if you have the money, and you’re feeling a little self-conscious about your zipper belly, there are surgical procedures available to remove a scar. Read on if you’re interested in how people treat scars and the methods taken to remove them.
Scar Treatment
Go see a dermatologist if you want to get rid of scars. It should be obvious that dermatologists have access to newer and stronger medications as well as the ability to refer you to a surgeon should you opt for surgical scar removal. Though, most doctors who see that a patient is concerned about the appearance of a scar will point them towards over-the-counter scar treatments.
Scar Removal
Sure scars take time to heal, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost; there are other forms of scar removal, including dermabrasion, laser surgery, and chemical peels. Dermabrasion, as explained by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, works by essentially scraping away very fine layers of the skin where scarring has occurred. Over several months, the dermal layer rises in place of the skin removed and skin pigment returns to normal. Laser surgery to remove scars works much the same way, but in a different manner. By applying a high intensity beam of light to the skin’s surface, rather than a blade, layers of scar tissue are removed, allowing new skin to come to the surface and skin pigment to return as well. Chemical peels, just like the dermabrasion and the laser surgery, act by removing the upper layers of skin, removing scar tissue and allowing newer skin to take its place.
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks. According to the ASPS, even if these procedures are done correctly by a licensed physician, the appearance of the skin where the scar was may not improve. In some cases the area where the scar was removed can actually become darker than the skin around it, or the pores in the skin (especially around the face) can get clogged and require further surgery, or you may even experience a very painful infection. So, before you choose to have scars removed surgically, it’s a good idea to talk to your dermatologist or plastic surgeon to weigh your options.
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