Aloe vera can help you get rid of scars. Aloe vera gel has been shown to enhance the healing of skin lesions caused by acne when used frequently to treat acne breakouts. This due to it's calming, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory properties, which help the skin in repairing itself along with reducing irritation and scars appearance.
After an acne breakout clears up, you might be left with skin problem known as acne scars. The acne scars are frequently deeply rooted in the skin and therefore become challenging to treat not unless they are managed early. If you desire to remove a scar, first you need to understand what a scar is and what type you are trying to remove.
Scar Treatment: What Aloe Vera is?
The role aloe vera plays in reducing scarring
Aloe Vera is a cultivated fleshy plant whose medicinal and cosmetic uses have been known for countless years. This stemless (or short-stemmed) plant has healing, calming, and renewing properties which are especially suitable for scars. It has thick, green to gray-green leaves. The Aloe Vera plant will flower under certain conditions, but a lot of plants kept indoors do not flower. The phytochemicals found in it are continuously being studied for their possible benefits such as antioxidant activity, enzyme stimulation, and antibiotic properties.
Uses of Aloe vera gel
The gel from the leaves is often used in cosmetics, such as creams and shaving gels because of its soothing, moisturizing, and healing effect on the skin. It is also found in drinks, yogurts, and other foods because of the favorable health benefits it is believed to have in small dosages (it can have toxic properties when ingested in big doses, so follow the dosages given when ingesting it). Aloe Vera juice is commonly used to support gastrointestinal health.
Does Aloe Vera help acne scars?
The advantages of aloe vera in enhancing skin wetness have long been known and practiced by many individuals. Seeing various benefits of the plant, it is not surprising that some individuals started wondering whether this plant can be utilized in the treatment of acne scars and whether it can help reduce their appearance.
In fact, aloe vera has hormones of polysaccharides and gibberellins that are vital for wound healing. When used for acne and pimple breakouts, it helps to heal the skin faster, so that there is minor scarring. This gel also binds with vitamins and minerals to help control free radicals. Connected to skin health and scarring, free radicals will set off uneven, darker, and a dull skin surface. High anti-oxidants made of by aloe vera juice, will thus reduce their impact, making the scars from pimple breakouts less visible. Besides, aloe vera juice is anti-bacterial eliminating the germs and microbes responsible for acne.
Using fresh Aloe Vera for old and new scars
If you have some scarring from previous breakouts, applying aloe vera extracted fresh from the plant can assist in improving its healing. It's high anti-oxidants levels which promote faster growth of new skin. These antioxidants also reduce the look of dark spots and dull skin as it enhances collagen production underneath the skin. Apart from this, aloe vera also contains minerals and vitamins that are important in reducing scarring. Extra vitamin C and E contained in aloe vera aids in reducing scarring from acne and pimples quite rapidly.
The Importance of Aloe Vera in scar reduction
Scars come about when your skin begins healing after an injury that damaged its surface, like a cut or scrape. The size, shape, color, and severity of your scar will depend on several aspects such as your age, skin color, genes and other kinds of skin conditions. While no treatments can make your scars disappear, applying a gel such as aloe vera to the skin can help reduce the intensity of your scar's appearance, as well as keep your skin moisturized while it heals.
The Function of Aloe Vera in scar reduction
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that minimize skin irritations, as well as aid your wounds in ridding themselves of dead skin, according to the Huntington College of Health Sciences. They further claim that aloe vera can decrease surface area swelling and help repair harmed skin cells while protecting newer, healthier ones. Aloe vera can permeate deep into the skin to moisturize it and help increase the collagen your skin produces to promote healing.
Aloe Vera Types & Application methods
Holistic Online states that aloe vera can be found in some local items, including gels, ointment, salve, and creams, or you can prepare the gel in your home. To reduce scarring, apply the product of your choice directly to the affected area three to four times daily or as your physician recommends.
Considerations made when using Aloe Vera
Things to think about before using aloe vera
Using aloe vera gel on a surgical wound has been shown to slow the healing process, according to the Mayo Clinic. Besides, it can trigger redness or burning to the afflicted area. Additional studies are needed to explore these adverse effects; however, it is wise to consult a medical professional before using aloe vera on a surgical injury or scar.
How long will it take while using Aloe Vera to see results?
While it is certain that aloe vera does lower the appearance of acne scars, how long you will need before seeing visible distinctions on the skin depend on some aspects, like:
How bad your scarring is - New acne scars are likely to be easier to fade than older ones. For this reason, fresh scars are simpler and thus, faster to get rid of using the routine application of aloe vera juice or gel.
Types of acne scars - There are several kinds of acne scars, and sadly, not all can be recovered with aloe vera. Larger and deeper scars, such as ice picks, rolling scars, and boxcars are really tough to eliminate entirely. Nevertheless, other kinds of scarring, such as dark spots can be reduced by regular application of aloe vera.
Your skin tone and skin characteristics - Some people are prone to scarring and therefore, may get bad scarring from acne breakouts. The length of time needed to improve acne scars utilizing aloe vera also depends upon your complexion and skin type. Acne scars on darker skin might be more difficult to get rid of, because of the rapid melanin production below the skin.
Generally, people use aloe vera extracted directly from the plants to help heal acne scars, although some people prefer using manufactured items containing aloe vera. People often apply the drawn-out plant gel or juice to the targeted skin location and start seeing a difference within three months. Apart from fading acne scars, they may notice their skin is fluffier and has a better skin tone as a result of this routine application. For those with extra dry skin, it improves skin moisture, while for the ones with sensitive skin, aloe vera helps avoid acne breakouts reduce scarring without activating allergic reactions. If you opt to give this a try, apply freshly-extracted aloe vera gel or juice to the targeted area frequently. Let it sit for some time and rinse it off with warm water. Although it seldom triggers allergies, stop any applications if you develop rashes, itching, or a burning sensation during the first applications.
The Benefits of Aloe Vera on the skin
As we have seen aloe vera is beneficial for the skin specifically, moisturizing, decreasing chafing, easing pain (for instance, from sunburn), and minimizing inflammation. One way in which it works is by forming a protective layer on the skin and assisting to renew its moisture. It can be used even by persons with sensitive skin because it is mild and relaxing. Applying a bit of gel on the face before putting on makeup can prevent the skin from drying out. Men can utilize it as an aftershave, with twice the benefits; calming irritation and recovery from little cuts quickly.
Aloe Vera gel has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities believed to be useful in healing and avoiding scarring from acne, and it will not make or add oiliness to the face the way some lotions can. Also, it can be used to help reduce the results of aging, enhancing the skin's natural firmness and keeping the skin hydrated.
Aloe Vera and Scar Treatment
The function of the skin is to cover the body and shield it from the environment. When it is cut or damaged, it heals by forming a scar. When a scar forms, it can be hard to get rid of, however, there are ever-improving approaches for scar treatment that can considerably diminish the appearance of scars. Aloe Vera gel can help scars recover faster by strengthening the collagen within the scar. It shouldn't be used on open wounds, but rather, on healing wounds, where it can stimulate healing and reduce scar formation. The glycoproteins in the gel are believed to stop inflammation and discomfort, and its polysaccharides promote skin development and repair.
To utilize Aloe Vera, which is 99 percent water, you can either get the gel straight from the plant or buy an ointment, cream, or product that contains it. If you have the plant, you can just break off a leaf and split it lengthwise to extract the gel. Aloe vera gel must be drawn out from the plant by "cold processing." This guarantees the gel retains all its beneficial qualities (efficacy). Apply it freely to the afflicted location 2-3 times a day for best results. You can also apply it to stretch marks, which are scars from tiny tears in the skin triggered by pregnancy, growth spurts, or changes in weight, to accelerate their fading.
Forewarning while using Aloe Vera
While the Mayo Clinic says that topical application is most likely safe, do not apply aloe vera if you are with child or nursing without consulting a medical practitioner first. The center also specifies that if you dislike garlic, onion, tulips or other kinds of plants in the Liliaceae family, you may encounter an allergic reaction to aloe vera. Seek medical attention if this happens, and discontinue any further use of the gel immediately.
Ways of using aloe vera to fight face scars
There are numerous ways you can use aloe vera to fight scars. Among them are:
- Washing the face with a cleanser and applying the gel into the affected area. Leave the gel overnight and rinse it off the following morning.
- You can use the aloe vera gel as a facial mask. Combine the gel, rose water and honey then rub the paste on the regions which have the scars. Rinse the paste after twenty minutes. You can apply the mask three times a week.
- Mix aloe vera gel with a few drops of lemon juice, apply the mask, and leave it to rest overnight.
- If you want to remove face scars with aloe vera use aloe vera soap. You should use it twice a day to prevent your skin from becoming dry and flaky. The best soap for this purpose should have glycerin. Be patient and apply aloe vera consistently till you see a difference. The scars should start clearing in weeks.
- You can also try to drink aloe vera juice. Drink half a glass of aloe vera every day. The juice will not only unclog the pores and clear scars but will also aid in treating lung cancer, type 2 diabetes, and ulcerative colitis.
- If you are allergic to onion, tulips, garlic or any other plant in the Liliaceae family do not drink aloe vera juice. It is also worth noting that continuous consumption of the juice for more than a year can cause colorectal cancer.
