It can be very hard to alter the appearance of scars once they’ve formed, so it’s always best to look after them well in the first year after an injury has occurred. In this article we take a look at what oils work best to care for a healing scar.
What is a scar?
A scar is the result of the three stage healing process which the body goes through after an injury to the deepest layer of skin. The body creates a mesh of collagen and cells over a wound to prevent infection, protect the wound and rebuild damaged tissue. This new tissue is different in structure, colour and tone to ‘normal’ skin, so the scar looks and feels different to the surrounding area.
A new scar is usually darker red or purple, swollen and tender, and gradually fades, flattens and shrinks over time. It can take over a year before the whole healing process is completed, and at that point its appearance is usually mostly fixed.
Prevention is better than cure
Because a scar takes a while to settle down, and is unlikely to change much after that time, the best way to support a scar to heal as well is to look after it as carefully as possible during the first year after the injury or operation happened.
- Use an intensive oil-based emollient ointment like Skin Salvation around the wound to keep skin soft and flexible as the scar begins to tighten.
- Look after yourself in the early weeks: make sure you rest, eat well and get plenty of protein, zinc, iron and vitamins C & D. Healing depends on your overall health as well as your skin condition. Reduce or quit smoking if possible.
- Once the wound has healed over, use an oil, either just rosehip or a blend of nourishing oils, to keep the scar as soft and nourished as possible. Apply twice a day for at least three months.
- Protect scars from the sun, as the lack of pigment and sensitivity of new tissue can mean the skin can burn very easily; hypo or hyperpigmented scars can get damaged by sun exposure so use high factor sunscreen and/or cover up with clothes in sunlight.
Why choose Balmonds Rosehip Scar Oil?
We think our all-natural blend of oils is the perfect choice to help the process of scar healing! That’s because it contains all the nutrients needed to support skin cell regeneration, soften and smooth tightening skin, and keep skin in good, healthy, well-moisturised condition.
It contains:
- Rosehip oil which is rich in vitamins A & C as well as Omegas-3 and -6. Rosehip delivers essential nutrients directly to damaged skin to support the production of new skin cells, and is renowned for its wound-healing and regenerative properties.
- Organic calendula is added for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
- Palmarosa is nourishing, rejuvenating and supportive of skin cell renewal.
- Roman chamomile is a naturally antimicrobial, and acts to reduce inflammation and protect against infection.
- Lavender has been shown to promote collagen synthesis and help the formation of new tissue during the healing stage of scar formation.
- Grape seed is a beautifully light carrier oil, exceptionally high in vitamin E and linoleic acid to support healing.
- Tocopherol is a natural form of vitamin E, which also supports wound healing
How to use Rosehip Scar Oil
The oil can be used on scar tissue, stretch marks, uneven or damaged skin anywhere on the body; just apply gently to the area, smoothing the oil on with soft pats.
Recommended products:
Balmonds Rosehip Scar Oil
with Rosehip
Balmonds Skin Salvation
with hemp and beeswax
