Sunday, August 18, 2013

Treating and Covering Up Scars

"How can I treat and cover up my scar?" asked Michelle, a twenty-one year old college student. Michelle's increasing anxiety stems from a deep purple scar, courtesy of a soccer game last fall. As the summer approaches, Michelle has started anguishing over the appearance of the scar, prominently placed above her shin.

With the psychological impact personal appearance has, it is no wonder that individuals like Michelle are seeking ways to cover and even eliminate their scars.

Scars occur because collagen - a protein - fill and close the wound. Due to the sometimes-sporadic occurrence of the collagen, nature's noble gesture to protect the skin is not always executed in the most aesthetically pleasing way.

So, what is a girl to do? Treating a scar can be very expensive. Because of this we have put together low cost options for you to exhaust before turning to expensive surgical procedures. Below, we explore some options for anyone suffering from scars due to injury, or even acne scarring.

To reduce the appearance of a scar:

Vitamins - Take folic acid and a Vitamin A supplement. Folic acid is a B vitamin needed for cell replication and growth. Vitamin A strengthens the protective tissue of the skin.

Silicone gel - Used to soften and flatten scars, this gel or silicone sheet is placed on the scar and will take a few months to begin working. Do not begin treatment until scar wound has healed and always follow your physician's directions.

Chemical Peel - Alpha Hydroxy Acids are best used by dermatologists to help exfoliate the dead skin cells and reduce the redness. Do not begin treatment until scar wound has healed and always follow your physician's directions.

Rose Hip Seed oil works as an inflammatory to diminish general scarring.

Onion Extract - Onion extract is an anti-inflammatory.

Bare in mind though, a scar may never be completely removed. Depending on your age and the location of the scar, your scar may take anywhere from several months to years to diminish. The options listed above require consistent use, over a period of months.

While the scar may greatly diminish after any given treatment, there is still a chance that portions of the scar will still remain.

If the options listed above are fully exhausted and do not work, surgical procedures do exist. We recommend that you speak to a medical professional to discuss those options.

How do I cover-up the visible scar I have right now?

That was Michelle's original question as we move into the summer months. The best option is with an all-day wear concealer product like Tattoo Camo (www.tattoocamo.com www.tattoocamo.com), which allows you to fully cover your scar with no effort and even swim with the make-up on!

When choosing a make-up product to cover your scar, it is best to purchase two shades, one a shade slightly lighter than your skin tone and one a shade slightly darker. This will allow you to match your skin tone perfectly as the skin color adjusts to your varying exposure to the outdoor summer sun.

Be sure to blend the makeup past the edge of the scar and set the makeup with a powder.

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