Burns, cuts, scrapes – when it comes to scar care, the No. 1 name in the industry by far is Mederma. But there are other alternatives to scar care as well. Whether you fell off your bike, burned yourself cooking, or picked at your acne, here are some natural ways to help heal your wounds.
Go Away, Scars!
Scars can be obnoxious, weird, annoying, or even embarrassing. Even if we’re the only ones who notice them, we’d rather they just go away on their own. Unfortunately, scars are a part of the natural healing process after an injury or wound has occurred. Usually a scar forms when the body produces too much collagen, a type of protein, to mend the damage.
Once your skin has scarred, it’s probably going to need some help healing.
There are many natural nutrients that can help with wound healing. They include protein (for repairing damaged tissues), vitamin A (for inflammation control), vitamin C (for collagen production), zinc (for growth and tissue repair), carbohydrates (for energy, collagen production, and fibroblast growth), and iron (for hemoglobin production), according to Shape.
Some anecdotal evidence also suggests that vitamin E ointments or creams may help heal scars as well, but there’s no real clinical proof to back that up. Eating foods that contain vitamin E, however, may help support healing from the inside out.
The best foods to eat to heal scars include chicken, tofu, or beans for protein; carrots, squash, or kale for vitamin A; dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, or kiwi for vitamin C; fish, walnuts, or whole grains for zinc; oatmeal, fruit, or rice for carbohydrates; avocados, egg yolks, or sunflower seeds for vitamin E; and spinach, legumes, or quinoa for iron.
Plant-based protein supplements also provide some support for scar healing, but be sure to also take a multivitamin to fill all your daily nutritional needs.
Skin Care for Scars
Also try Scar Support Cream by MiraCell, a blend of botanical moisturizers such as shea butter, as well as proteins, peptides, and enzymes that help repair new and old scars, stretch marks, incisions, injuries, burns, or acne.
Follow up scar care by using a natural full-body moisturizer such as Jojoba Oil by NOW Foods, which naturally supports against stretch marks and wrinkles. Just add 1 tsp to your body wash or bath gel, or dab onto skin directly. Jojoba works on hair too for smooth, healthy locks. Or try it in the winter to hydrate severely dry skin.
How to Minimize a Scar
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, here are some additional tips on minimizing scarring.
- Clean your wound daily while it heals.
- Use petroleum jelly to keep wound moist.
- Cover skin with adhesive bandage.
- Consult with a health care provider if you need stitches.
- Use sunscreen on wound after it heals.
How do you tend to your wounds? Offer your scar care tips below!
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Photo from Unsplash
