Effective home remedies and natural treatment for keloid scar

These scars are made of hard and fibrous scar tissues, and they appear quite abruptly on the skin. Doctors don’t know the exact cause of keloid scars.

There are some experts who believe that when the top skin layer is damaged or tears, then collagen forms at the site as a part of the healing process. When there is excess collagen growth at the site, then the keloid scar develops.

The keloid scar can continue to grow slowly for years. Usually, keloid scars appear when there is trauma or damage, such as vaccinations, insect bites, ear piercings, cuts, minor burns, chickenpox, acne, and other skin abrasions.

Keloid scars are dome-shaped, and they are usually red, pink, or flesh-colored. The affected area can be itchy and tender to the touch.

It is a known fact that people with darker skin have more chances of getting keloid scars. Also, hereditary factors can lead to keloid scars.

People affected by keloid scars are trying to get rid of them because they are annoying and unsightly. You can try laser therapy or cortisone injections, but they are expensive and can have side effects.

If you suffer from keloid scars, you need to talk with your doctor before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies for this condition.

9 home remedies for keloid scars

The lavender essential oil can help in the treatment of keloid scars

This home remedy has skin cell rejuvenating properties which can help in the treatment of keloid scars. Also, this natural cure can increase skin restoration, which in turn will help to prevent scars from becoming permanent [1].

You should soak a cotton ball in the lavender essential oil and then dab it on the affected area. You should massage this area gently for fifteen minutes. When the lavender essential oil is absorbed by your skin, the keloid scars will become soft and start healing. You should follow this natural treatment twice daily for a month because, in this way, you will get positive results.

Also, there is another option, and that is to mix ½ teaspoon each of calendula essential oil and lavender essential oil and ten teaspoons of coconut oil. You should mix these ingredients well. You should apply a small amount of this home remedy on the keloid scar. You should massage it for ten minutes and let it stay there for at least twenty minutes before you rinse it off using cool water. You should follow this natural treatment once daily until you get positive results.

You should store the remaining home remedy in a dark and dry place, and you can use it for up to a month.

Garlic can reduce the appearance of keloid scars

This home remedy is very effective in reducing the appearance of keloid scars [2]. In one study was said that garlic extracts affect the growth of fibroblast cells which are responsible for the growth of keloid scars.

You should crush 3 or 4 fresh garlic cloves. You should apply the crushed garlic to the affected area and let it stay there for fifteen minutes. Then, you should wash it off using lukewarm water. You should pat dry and then apply some moisturizing lotion. You should follow this natural treatment once per day for a period of a month to get positive results.

Also, you can apply garlic oil on the keloid scars two times per day for a period of a month because this will lighten the scar. If you have noticed that the garlic oil is causing you any kind of discomfort, then you should immediately wash it off using lukewarm water.

Apple cider vinegar is very effective for keloid scars

This is a very effective home remedy for the riding of keloid scars. There are some components in apple cider vinegar that can eliminate the fatty deposits under your skin [3].

Also, it has acidic properties, which can exfoliate and soften the skin, and this, in turn, will reduce the appearance of scars.

You should mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of water in the cup. You should use a cotton ball to apply this home remedy to the affected area. You should let it stay there for half an hour and wash it off using water. You should continue using this home remedy 3 or 4 times per day for a period of a couple of weeks.

Lemon juice

There are some studies in which are said that lemon juice is very effective on mild keloid scars. This home remedy has Vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that can help you to rid of different types of scars, and keloid scars are also included [4].

Also, lemon juice has other elements that can help to regenerate and repair damaged skin. You should extract the juice from one medium-sized fresh lemon. You should apply this juice to the scar. You should let it stay there for about 30 minutes and then rinse it off using lukewarm water. You should pat dry and then apply some moisturizing lotion to keep the affected area moisturized. You should do this home remedy two times per month to get positive results.

When you use this home remedy on a regular basis, then you will see a transformation in the shade of the top layer of the skin cells, and this is causing it to be less noticeable.

Aloe Vera

This home remedy is very effective for treating keloid scars. This home remedy will keep your skin well moisturized and help regenerate the damaged skin surface. This home remedy has a cooling effect, reducing the itching of keloid scars [5]. You should cut open an Aloe Vera leaf and extract the gel from it.

You should apply a light coating of Aloe Vera gel on the area. You should allow it to dry on its own so that the medicinal properties are fully absorbed by your skin. You should apply this home remedy 5 – 6 times per day for a period of several days. You will notice that keloid scars are effective on fresh scars and are not very effective on scars that are more than a year old.

Honey helps the treatment of keloid scars

This is one of the best natural humectants to heal and moisturize the skin. These factors can help a lot in the natural treatment of keloid scars. This will encourage blood circulation, and it can prevent excess collagen growth and dead skin accumulation.

You should apply fresh organic honey liberally on the keloid scars. You should gently massage the affected area for ten minutes. You should let it stay there for about sixty minutes and then rinse it using lukewarm water. You should do this natural treatment two times per day for a period of several weeks to reduce the keloid scars. [6]

Baking soda can reduce keloid scars

This home remedy can be used to reduce the appearance of keloid scars by encouraging the development of a healthy skin layer. This home remedy acts as an abrasive agent, and it can help to exfoliate the skin and it will keep it free from dead cells, debris and dirt.

You should mix one teaspoon baking soda and 3 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide. You should apply this home remedy on the keloid scars using a cotton ball. You should let it stay there for fifteen minutes and then rinse it using lukewarm water. You should do this natural treatment 3 or 4 times a day for at least a month to shrink the keloid scars.

Onion

This home remedy has a healing impact on scar tissue because it controls the generation of collagen [7].

This home remedy is often used in over–the–counter lotions and creams as a treatment for scars. You should cut one white onion into thick pieces. You should put these pieces in cheesecloth, and then you should tie them tightly. You should put the cheesecloth in a bowl. You should get a second bowl and press it over the cheesecloth to extract the juice from the onion. You should use a cotton ball to apply the fresh juice on the keloid scars. You should allow it to dry on its own and then rinse it off using lukewarm water. You should do this natural treatment 3 or 4 times per day until there is improvement in your skin texture.

Extra–virgin olive oil

This home remedy can improve the appearance of keloid scars. It has a high acidity level which can exfoliate the outer skin layer.

Also, it has Vitamin E and Vitamin K, which can help break up scar tissue and keep the skin soft and well moisturized. You should take one teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil and apply it to the keloid scars. You should gently massage the affected area using small circular motions until this oil is completely absorbed by your skin. You should repeat this natural treatment several times daily until you get the desired results.

References:

[1] Mori HM, Kawanami H, Kawahata H, Aoki M. Wound healing potential of lavender oil by acceleration of granulation and wound contraction through induction of TGF-β in a rat model. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016;16:144.

[2] Pazyar N, Feily A. Garlic in dermatology. Dermatology Reports. 2011;3(1):e4.

[3] Kondo T, Kishi M, Fushimi T, Kaga T. Acetic acid upregulates the expression of genes for fatty acid oxidation enzymes in liver to suppress body fat accumulation. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2009;57(13):5982-6.

[4] Telang PS. Vitamin C in dermatology. Indian Dermatology Online Journal. 2013;4(2):143-6.

[5] Hashemi SA, Madani SA, Abediankenari S. The review on properties of aloe vera in healing of cutaneous wounds. BioMed Research International. 2015;2015:714216.

[6] Zbuchea A. Up-to-date use of honey for burns treatment. Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters. 2014;27(1):22-30.

[7] Chanprapaph K, Tanrattanakorn S, Wattanakrai P, et al. Effectiveness of onion extract gel on surgical scars in Asians. Dermatology Research and Practice. 2012.