11 Home Remedies To Lighten And Heal Scars

Scars form when skin tissue has been stretched or damaged. They’re most common following surgery, injury, or severe acne. For many people, dark scars can leave them feeling self-conscious. The may find they don’t enjoy going out if their scars aren’t covered and can feel embarrassed about the way they look. To learn home remedies to lighten and heal scars, keep reading.

# Aloe Vera

Scars heal best when they’re moisturized thoroughly. Choosing a home remedy like aloe vera ensures your scar is soothed and moisturized regularly. Aloe gel also contains antioxidants which help to reduce swelling and redness, whilst protecting your skin cells from further damage. It also helps to strip the skin of excess oil and dead cells, reducing the risk of further scarring – especially if your scars are caused by acne.

# Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another great way to moisturize your scars, helping the damaged skin to heal and lighten. You can apply it directly to your scarred area of skin and let it soak. Apply it each day for a really noticeable result. You should avoid applying too much oil though as it could cause a breakout if you overuse it.

# Baking Soda

Baking soda has a gentle, abrasive quality. Add a small amount to some water to create a paste and rub this into the darker, scarred area of skin. This will help to remove dead skin cells and make your scars appear lighter. It’ll also balance out the pH of your skin and prevent further scars developing.

# Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a great home remedy to lighten and heal scars. Mix it with a small amount of honey and leave it on your skin for ten minutes before rinsing off with water. Do this three times a day for the best results.

# Onion

It can sting a little, but onion extract is another great home remedy to lighten and heal scars. This is because it contains certain compounds which work to reduce the appearance of scars in just a few weeks. You should apply the extract daily for a quick result.

Simply slice an onion in half and squeeze so that its juices are released. You can then rub the juices directly onto your scars and leave on for ten minutes before rinsing with some water.

# Honey

Honey has a natural moisturizing effect and helps to stimulate tissue regeneration, which makes it an ideal home remedy to lighten and heal scars. Apply raw honey to your scars and let it sit for ten minutes before rinsing it off with some warm water. You could also add some cinnamon for extra skin renewal.

# Lemon

If you’re wanting to lighten your scars, lemon is a great choice of home remedy. This is because it contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) which have a number of skin healing properties. Lemon juice can act as a natural bleaching agent, aids new skin growth and restores some of the elasticity that is missing in scar tissue.

To use, slice a lemon in half and squeeze the juice over your scar. Let it sit for fifteen minutes before dabbing with cool water to rinse it off. You should make sure you avoid direct sunlight for at least a couple of hours after using this home remedy, as it can make your skin sensitive to sunlight. You may also find it irritates your skin if you suffer from eczema.

# Lavender Oil

Lavender oil can be used as a home remedy for a number of skin complaints. It’s healing and soothing qualities make it a great home remedy for lightening the appearance of your scars. Mix a few drops of lavender oil with a carrier oil (coconut oil is a good example) or dilute the drops in some water before applying it to your skin.

# Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an amazing home remedy for healing scars. Its antiseptic and antimicrobial factors work as a natural acne treatment and reduce scarring. It works best on hypertrophic scars and can gradually reduce their appearance. Mix two drops of tea tree oil with some coconut oil or dilute some in water and wipe it over your skin. Allow the oil to soak into your skin for the best result. Remember, tea tree oil can irritate the skin so you need to make sure you’ve diluted it with water or a gentle carrier oil before applying it directly to the skin.

# Carrot Seed Oil

Carrot seed oil is another great essential oil to lighten and heal scars. Like other essential oils, you will need to dilute the oil before you apply it directly to your skin.

# Shea Butter

Applying shea butter to your skin each day will help to moisturize your scars and brighten your skin. This will help to reduce the appearance of the scars over time. Unfiltered and unrefined shea butter will have more of a positive effect.