Scars happen, and often there is no way around it. Sometimes it is because of injury, other times from acne, surgery or something else. In an ideal world, allowing it to heal naturally is how you deal with it. However, this is far from a perfect world and because of that most people always look for ways to disguise them.

To that end, we consulted a few experts and made this super practical tips on how to cover scars.

  1. Scars 101

If it is a flat scar, less than 24 months old, it can easily diminish on its own. To be certain that it will, you will need to keep in mind two super important things.

  • First and most important of all, make sure that is not exposed to the sun. You can do that either with clothing or sunscreen featuring a broad spectrum.
  • The second thing is to treat it with a product that got skin-healing ingredients featuring vitamin C, petrolatum, and quercetin.

Scars of 24 months and older are a bit more challenging to treat. In some cases, there is no way to diminish it without a cosmetic intervention of a dermatologist. The thing is that soon after a wound, the skin immediately starts repairing itself. However, the process can easily take up to two years. Because of that, it is essential to take immediate steps to diminish the scar.

The general rule is the sooner, the better.

  1. How not to make things even worse?

Before we go into the art of dealing with scars, we need to learn a thing or two about how not to make things worse, which is to prolong the healing instead of speeding it up.

  • Constant exposure to the sun can do the greatest damage. Not only it destroys skin, but it will have a negative effect on the immune system which in fact will significantly prolong the healing process.
  • Applying products with irritating ingredients such as bar soaps can also have a counter effect on the healing process. Even those with a natural origin that contain eucalyptus or lavender can impact skin’s self-healing properties.
  • Keeping the scar submerged under water over longer periods and long hot baths won’t help the healing process, but the opposite of it. The prolonged exposure can weaken the barrier which slows down the healing process.
  1. How to turbocharge the healing process while significantly reducing the visibility of your scar?

Using skin care products to cover scars has proven to be effective. But if you want to supercharge their effectiveness make sure that you stick to the recommendations given below.

  • Remove deceased skin cells

Exfoliating is the process in which you remove old or deceased skin cells from the surface of the skin. Any skin care product you might want to use will be way more effective if you gently scrub off the deceased skin cells before you begin. That way the coverage can absorb much easier, hold way longer and look smoother.

  • Moisture matters

Using a moisturizer is evenly important as exfoliation as it will further soften up the scar tissue. At the same time, it will make the receptive surface smoother and more absorbing.

  • Neutralize the color

Apply a color that is on the opposite side of the color wheel. That way you can cancel or at least neutralize to some extent the other color.

For example, if you have a red scar, use a concealer with a green undertone. That will cancel the red. On the other hand, if you use a lighter concealer, it will only make the scar to turn pink or light red. Violet and yellow cancel each other, and orange and blue each other, same as red and green.

  • Choose a skin care product (consult a dermatologist)

  • The skin care product is the final touch that needs to have the most impact. In the beginning, we’ve explained what the ideal skin care product should contain.
  • Now which brands are best and how each is applied is something that you need to discuss with your dermatologist as no two scars are same, and each person’s skin is in different condition.
  • An experienced dermatologist will make sure that you use the best product that will have the most profound effect on your scar.

What is the best cover up for scars?

Cover Crème Foundation is the best foundation choice for scars. Its combination of coverage, skin benefits and protection give it a huge advantage over other coverage choices.

How can I cover up a new scar?

I like to lightly dust the scar area with a very fine layer of powder to really to ensure the area is shine-free. The scar area will require a layering method of application. So using a small concealer brush for precise application, dab the concealer over the scar until the color matches the rest of your skin tone.

What heals scars fast?

Keep the wound moist.

Apply petroleum jelly to the wound and cover it with a non-stick bandage. This can speed healing and minimize scarring, says Krant.

Can coconut oil heal scars?

Coconut oil may reduce the appearance of acne scars and stretch marks, as well as scarring developed from surgical incisions and traumatic injuries. Talk to your doctor before using coconut oil as an alternative treatment method.

How do you fade surgical scars naturally?

Home remedies
  1. Silicone sheets and gel. Share on Pinterest Applying silicone sheets or gel to the skin may help to improve the appearance of a scar.
  2. Onion extract to remove scars. One of the most well-known natural remedies for scar treatment is onion extract.
  3. Chemical exfoliators.
  4. Sun protection.

Is vitamin E good for scars?

Healing scars

Researchers concluded that using a topical form of vitamin E before and after surgery improved the way wounds healed. Research on how vitamin E can treat acne and heal its scars is inconclusive. There’s little proof that vitamin E oil can help heal scars.

What is good for scars?

Topical treatments, such as vitamin E, cocoa butter cream, and several commercial skin care products like Vaseline and Aquaphor that are sold over the counter may be somewhat effective in helping to heal scars.

Can Vaseline remove scars?

Use Vaseline® Jelly for Scars

By sealing in moisture it also helps to reduce dryness of scarred skin, once your skin has healed. This may help to improve the appearance of scars, making the skin look smoother and softer, as well as help to reduce itchiness caused by dryness.

What can I put on surgery scars?

To help the injured skin heal, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist. Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.

How do you make scars worse?

Excessive pulling or tension across a healing wound is increasingly implicated as a factor which may increase inflammation and scar formation. An environmental factor that clearly has an effect on the appearance on skin scarring is sunlight exposure.

Can massaging a scar make it worse?

As the scar matures you can increase the pressure of the massage to help soften scars. Your therapist will guide you in this process as massaging too firmly initially can make scarring worse. As discussed previously the new skin which has formed following the injury lacks the moisture needed.

Do scars get darker as they heal?

It can take up to 12-18 months after your injury or operation for a scar to heal. A normal scar will become darker initially and after a period of time this will start to fade. Dark scars can remain for years or indefinitely in people with darker skin.

How do you fade dark scars?

How to Get Rid of Dark Scars
  1. Sunscreen and Moisturizers. Although you can’t go back in time to prevent your scars, a combination of topical creams, peels and sunscreens can help them fade more quickly.
  2. Medicated Creams.
  3. Chemical Peels.
  4. Laser Therapy.

How can I lighten a scar overnight?

Take some cocoa butter and apply it evenly on your face. Leave it on overnight and rinse it off the next morning. Rosewater helps soften scar tissue and lighten scars by regenerating skin cells. Use rose water daily for better results.

How do you lighten dark scars on your face?

Aloe vera is a miracle ingredient for all your skin problems. All you have to do to lighten the dark spots on your face is apply aloe vera juice or gel directly on the dark spots and leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it away. You can also leave it on your face overnight.

Are dark scars permanent?

Dark Mark: About PIH

The hyperpigmented scars are not permanent, but they can be slow to fade. In fact, an acne mark may persist for as long as three to six months after the pimple has disappeared. If you develop acne marks or other dark spots on your skin, be patient.