Scars typically results from injury, cuts, burns, surgery incision, pregnancy and acne. As the wound starts healing, a tissue of skin forms over the wound as a scar. Gradually its size and redness decreases, but it forms a permanent mark on your skin. When scars are in exposed location on the body, face or hands they often become unsightly and you want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. If you are looking for an alternative treatment for scar removal other than expensive laser treatment, pricy ointments or filler injections which comes with serious side effects, consider trying these essential oils. Though there is no magical cure to make them disappear overnight, certain essential oils that have skin healing properties can help to reduce and lighten the scars by regenerating new skin cells.
Here Are 8 Best Essential Oils To Heal The Scars And Lighten Them:
1. Lemon Essential Oil
High in vitamin C, lemon essential oil can reduce scarring by increasing production of collagen and encouraging formation of new skin cells. Its antibacterial properties are especially helpful in reducing acne scarring. It kills bacteria that causes acne and stops formation of new acne. Being a natural astringent it also helps to tighten the skin and fade scars gradually. Since lemon essential oil is powerful, you need to dilute it with any carrier oil like, olive, coconut or almond oil before using on the scar. Mix 5-6 drop of lemon essential oil with 1/2tsp of any carrier oil and apply on the scarred area using cotton ball. Let it remain on your skin for 30-40 minutes and then wash off with clean water. Repeat the process until scar fades away (1).
2. Carrot Seed Essential Oil
Carrot seed essential oil is loaded with beneficial skin healing properties like antioxidant, antiseptic, detoxifying, anti-carcinogenic, carminative, diuretic, stimulant and more. The antioxidant properties help with regeneration of skin cells and therefore work effectively in fading scars. It helps to repair the damage skin tissues fast and promotes healing. This is why, carrot seed essential oil is used for eliminating wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. Due to its amazing skin healing power, it is also used for treating eczema and psoriasis. To lighten the scars, apply carrot seed essential oil on the affected area regularly. You can also blend carrot seed oil with other essential oils like helichrysum, patchouli, rose, frankincense which also have strong skin regenerative properties (2).
3. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is a well-known all round essential oil that is helpful remedy for many ailments. Since it has antibacterial and antifungal properties, it is great for healing wounds and reduces scarring also. It reduces scarring by encouraging formation of new skin cells. It can effectively heal any inflammatory skin conditions. Lavender essential oil being very gentle can be applied directly to the scars. Regenerating skin cell it will fade away the scars with regular use (3).
4. Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium is an excellent skin tonic with anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, hormone balancing, astringent, uplifting and stimulating properties. Increasing blood circulation below the surface of the skin it fades the scar that you receive form cuts, wounds or acne and rejuvenating the skin cells it provides skin a fresh glow (4).
5. Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum being expensive is not so widely known, but it offers strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which is undoubtedly one of the best essential oils for healing scars. Its medicinal compound has been used since ages to treat many skin and other health issues. It also has anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiseptic properties that along with healing scars and fading them can work as anti-aging remedy for skin by and fight wrinkles, age spots etc. by regenerating the damaged skin. This healing oil successfully reduces redness and acne stretch marks, without causing any unwanted side effects which usually caused by chemical acne medications. To reduce scarring dilute this healing essential oil with any carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil (5).
6. Frankincense
Frankincense essential oil is another excellent choice for reducing scars and healing skin ailments. It gradually fades the scars and appears them less visible by stimulating the regeneration of the new cells that grows over the scar tissues and smoothens the affected area. This healing oil can be used not just for reducing scars and stretch marks, but for combating wrinkles, balance sebum level and improving skin tone. Dilute this oil with carrier oil before use (6).
7. Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood essential oil and powder has been used in Ayurveda since ages for addressing host of skin problems including healing scar tissues. It healing benefits are credited to its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, disinfectant, diuretic, emollient, cicatrisant and expectorant properties. It heals scarring by stimulating the olfactory receptors cells in your skin and regenerating the skin cells along with healing the wound. The cell proliferation replaces new skin cell with scarred one. As it cleanses, tightens and soothes skin, sandalwood essential oil is commonly used in cosmetic products like facial toners, skin whitening products, cleansers and aftershave lotions. Sandalwood oil has been used in traditional medicine for eliminating chicken pox scars. Now sandalwood essential oil is commonly used for its anti-aging and scar healing properties. Not only it reduces scarring with regular use but also reduces inflammation, redness and itchiness of the skin providing a cooling effect (7).
8. Neroli Essential Oil
Neroli, popularly known as Orange blossom, is yet another expensive choice for healing scars and other skin issues with its excellent floral aroma and antibacterial and astringent properties. It has excellent calming and healing abilities which can address any skin problems related to stress. It lighten scars and acne marks by building new skin cells, improving the elasticity of the skin and healing broken capillaries below the skin. You can also add this versatile essential oil in your regular beauty routine for its exceptional ability to maintain oil balance of the skin. You can also use this oil as anti-aging skin remedy as it has excellent cell regeneration properties. It can also bring relief from rashes and other bacterial skin issues because of its impressive antimicrobial properties (8).
Scar tissues take considerable time to fade away. So don’t expect any miracle. Besides the essential oils mentioned above, many other essential oils are known to reduce effects of scarring. Some other effective essential oil that has been used successfully to get rid of scarring is rosemary, Calendula, Hyssop and Juniper etc.
