5 Tips for Speeding up the Scar Healing Process
5 Tips for Speeding up the Scar Healing Process
Are you looking for tips to help speed up the scar healing process? Whether caused by an injury, accident, surgery, or any other incident, scars may take months to heal properly. Taking proper care of a scar can help minimize risks and problems associated with wound healing such as pain and/or lumps. Fortunately, there are effective strategies you can follow throughout the healing journey that will significantly reduce the time it takes for your scar to heal. This article will cover all the key actions you need to take when trying to facilitate faster healing of a scar. Keep reading ahead for tips and tricks on how best to approach speeding up your scar recovery!
Keep The Scar Clean
One of the best ways to speed up scar healing is to keep it clean. When scar tissue forms during wound healing, healthy skin cells, and blood vessels start to grow toward the scar and rebuild it back to a normal scar. By washing it daily with soap and water, you can help keep extra bacteria away that can cause inflammation or delay healing.
Additionally, avoid picking or scratching the scar, as this could lead to more scar tissue forming which might cause a hypertrophic scar, that is one that is bigger than the original wound. Taking care of your scar and keeping it clean will create an environment where tissue growth occurs optimally and wound healing results in a smooth scar.
Apply A Topical Cream Or Ointment
Applying topical scar creams or ointments is one of the most common scar treatments for hypertrophic scars and keloid scars. Topical creams and ointments, such as the ESTAS Vitamin E & Vitamin C Serum, are formulated to contain ingredients such as vitamin E, Vitamin C, sea whip extract, or coconut oil, which can effectively nourish and promote healthy skin. Therefore, applying a topical cream or ointment is an effective way to speed up the healing process of a scar.
Focus on Nutrition
Changing your diet and eating habits can help to promote faster scar healing. One of the most important changes that you can make is to eat a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats or protein. A good diet will give you the vitamins and nutrients that you need to heal more quickly. You might also want to cutback on processed foods and snacks like cookies, candy, and chips which can work against your health. Along with healthy eating, don’t forget to drink lots of water to make sure that you remain hydrated throughout the healing process. Watch what you take into your body if you want your scar to heal faster.
Don’t Stop The Exercise
Exercise should not be avoided if you want to speed up the healing process of a scar. In fact, physical activity can actually help collagen production and decrease inflammation, both of which are necessary for skin recovery. Avoiding exercise could cause a keloid scar, an abnormally thickened and often painful mass of collagen fibers, to form on top of the damaged skin. Consequently, light physical activity is recommended in order to speed up the healing process and keep collagen production under control, which will ultimately improve the appearance of your scar.
How Long Does It Take For A Scar To Heal
The time it takes for an incision to heal and a scar to fade following a surgical procedure can vary widely for every patient. Personal factors, such as genetics, age, skin type, and ethnicity can have a marked influence on how well the incision heals and for how long. For instance, African-American patients may likely encounter more prominent scars - otherwise known as keloid scars - than other ethnic backgrounds.
Likewise, the type of procedure performed can also determine the length of healing required; recovery processes involving more extensive incisions may take longer to heal than those involving smaller ones. In any case, most scars generally reach their peak appearance of fading 18-24 months after the initial surgery.
Natural Methods For Making A Wound Heal Faster
- Aloe Vera - Aloe vera, a part of the cactus family, is packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals. It also carries glucomannan which stimulates cellular regeneration as well as boosts collagen production in our bodies. Collagen is an essential protein for wound healing makes Aloe vera incredibly advantageous to keep around!
- Honey- Thanks to its antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties trusted Source, honey has long been used for wound healing remedies. According to a 2016 review trusted Source, lab studies demonstrate that honey is capable of accelerating the healing rate of wounds in animals as well as reducing scar formation and limiting bacterial growth in acute wounds or burns.
- Turmeric Pastes - For those looking to use turmeric on a wound, they should start with creating a paste by mixing the spice with warm water. The paste can then be applied to the wound and covered up with an appropriate bandage. It is important to note that this method should only be used for minor wounds as open injuries may require medical-grade products which must have acquired approval from a doctor beforehand.