Are you scouring the internet for the next way to try to fade your scar? We recommend you pause and think about what you’re reading; there are so many myths and old wives’ tales about scar healing, it’s hard to tell what’s useful and what’s not. Today, we’ll take a look at a few common questions, like do scars disappear eventually and should you air out wounds. Let’s dive right in.
Five Myths About Scar Fading & Scar Healing You Shouldn’t Believe
Scar Myth #1: Sun Will Help Fade Your Scar
Sun exposure can actually worsen the appearance of scars. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can darken the pigmentation of scars, making them more prominent. It's important to protect scars from the sun by using sunscreen or covering them with clothing to prevent sunburn and further damage.
Learn More: The Sun & Scars: How Does Sunlight Affect The Scar Healing Process?
Scar Myth #2: Lemon Juice Will Help Fade Your Scar
Lemon juice is often touted as a natural skin lightening agent, but it is not recommended for scar treatment. Lemon juice can be acidic and may cause skin irritation, redness, or even burns. If you're concerned about the color of a scar, consult a dermatologist for appropriate treatment options.
Scar Myth #3: Vitamin E Oil For Scars
Some people think that vitamin E is a cure-all for skin issues, and this is simply just not true. While vitamin E definitely has its place in the skincare scene, it hasn't been explicitly proven to have a significant effect in improving the appearance of scars. Furthermore, allergies to vitamin E are more common than you might think, which can actually hinder the healing process.
Scar Myth #4: Hydrogen Peroxide Is A Good Way To Promote Skin Healing
In reality, hydrogen peroxide is only really good for preventing infections in wounds. This is because it can actually destroy the new cells that we want to form at a wound site. Especially for scar healing and fading, hydrogen peroxide will set you back and just elongate the healing process.
Scar Myth #5: You Should Let Wounds & Scars Air Dry
Before we knew how to keep wounds cleaned properly, a bandaged wound that stayed bandaged was a recipe for infectious disaster. However, nowadays, we know that keeping a wound clean is the most important part. In fact, for scars, you want a moisturized environment – scars restructure themselves better this way.
The Truth About Scar Healing
So, do scars disappear eventually? Sometimes, yes – but, most of the time, your scar will be minimally visible when it finishes completely (which can take a long time). You can give your scar the best chance with the following tips:
- Follow instructions for wound healing closely and don’t start any scar treatment before your wound closes completely.
- Once your wound closes, start using a scar heal system like our Scar Heal Kit.
- Keep your scar covered with something at all times – our RejûvaSil Silicone Scar Gel can help with this.
- If your scar starts to get discolored, target that with something like our Scar Esthetique Scar Cream.