Great question, and yes, old scars can be treated and faded. However, there is a longer answer that will depend on the type of injury and resulting scar you have, how soon you began treating it, and how well you keep up with the treatment.
As a bit of background on how scars work…they typically form as part of the natural healing process after injury, such as burn, cut or other accident. When the dermis (second layer of skin) is damaged in some way, the body jumps into first gear and sends collagen fibers to the site to begin repairs. The result of that action is a scar. The less collagen is deposited with the faster the wound heals, which means ultimately it will be less noticeable in the long run.
While the skin does a pretty good job of closing up its wounds, the new collagen that forms will result in a scar, which happens to be one of the most difficult cosmetic skin issues to treat, says Medical News Today. Take heart, though, it’s certainly possible to reduce some types of new scars. That being said, some of the more invasive older ones will be harder to get rid of.
Scar Types
The type of scar you end up with will depend on:
- • The kind of skin injury you receive, from a burn to acne to surgery.
- • Your natural skin type. Some types are hereditary. Other times, the thickness, color, and texture of your skin will affect how the scar forms.
- • The location of the injury, as your skin may be tougher or thicker in some areas of your body.
Keloids
A keloid scar, raised and darker in color, will grow larger than the wound area itself. This type of scar may interfere with movement, causing pain and itching. They’re more common in people with darker skin, and don’t usually fade much over time.
Hypertrophic scars
These are raised and red, occurring only at the site of the injury. They are also itchy and painful, at least at first, but will fade and become less raised over time as the wound heals. This could take a number of years, though.
Atrophic scars
This type looks like a pit or dent in the skin, commonly forming as a result of skin conditions like acne or chickenpox.
Contracture scars
This type causes the skin to become tight and contract, usually the result of burns, and can affect nerves and muscles underneath the skin.
Widespread scars
Also called stretched scars, these scars are common after surgery, typically appearing flat and pale. They are less noticeable than indented or raised scars and can fade with time.
Why Scarfade Works
While many natural remedies like aloe vera and lavender oil claim to reduce the appearance or severity of scars, most of them lack scientific evidence to show they work. That’s why you should stick with products like Scarfade, for example, which contains a special blend of dimethicones. These are the only ingredients proven to be truly effective for scar minimization thanks to several scientific studies published in medical journals.