There are few skincare woes more frustrating than stubborn scars. It can seem like no matter how well you care for your skin, scars—whether caused by acne, an injury, or something else—seem to stick around no matter what. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel—if you follow these tips to reduce the appearance of unwanted marks.
Be Patient
Scars caused by an injury need time to heal before they can be treated, says Joseph Rucker, a Wisconsin-based cosmetic surgeon. See, the body has natural means of healing scars, including by producing collagen—and using treatments can interfere with that process. For this reason, Rucker recommends waiting three to four weeks to begin treatment.
Use SPF to Protect
Sun exposure not only damages your skin, but it can also worsen the appearance of scars. The cells that produce pigment in the skin become overactive during the healing stage and produce more pigment than normal, which is why scars are dark in the first place. Sun exposure essentially tans the scar, making it even darker for a longer period of time. Use SPF 30 on your scar (and all over!) every day, says Rucker.
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Follow a Gentle Skin-Care Regimen
Harsh ingredients like acids can aggravate scars, so using the gentlest products possible is key. Rucker recommends using a mild cleanser infused with natural plant extracts, such as Enza Essentials Sustaining Cleanser ($35, enza.com). You can also try a water-based moisturizer infused with calming ingredients like aloe and chamomile to keep scars from flaring. Rucker likes Enza Essentials Sustaining Glow Crème ($60, enza.com).
Skip the Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E
While natural remedies all the rage, Rucker says they aren’t enough to actually heal scars. Instead, stick to topical medications designed specifically to treat marks.
Use a Cell Activator
After allowing your skin to do its natural healing routine, you can let the magic of products step in to finish the job. Rucker suggests using the one-two punch combination of a cell activator, like Enza Essentials Tri-Peptide Cell Activator ($150, enza.com), and a topical stem cell cream, like Dermaquest Stem Cell 3D Complex ($245, dermstore.com). The pair helps to even out scars and reduce redness.
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Apply Mineral Makeup
Covering up scars is the obvious way to reduce their appearance, but be careful not to go too concealer crazy. Caking on too much product will draw attention to the scar instead of camouflaging it into the skin. Using mineral makeup disguises scars by helping them blend them into the skin, resulting in a flawless finish. Rucker recommends Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Broad Spectrum SPF 20 ($52, Nordstrom).
Seek Professional Help
While stopping in to your local pharmacy may be easy, it's never going to give you the best results. Rucker says that the most effective way to deal with scars is to get a scrip for something like a light steroid cream from your general practitioner. The concentrated dose of steroids reduces the redness and inflammation of scars so they don't cramp your style.
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