5 Easy Fixes to Improve the Appearance of Scars

Scars are often reminders of past events, old accidents or incidents that feel like they’ll never leave you. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, we each will develop at least one scar at some point in our lifetime, but they don’t have to be permanent. Although the causes of scars and their response to treatments can be very complex, it’s easier to mask and fade their appearance on the face and body. Use these five tips to reduce the visibility of scars while treating textural irregularity.

Easy Fix #1: Use the Right Makeup

While a go-to liquid concealer or powder may be best for camouflaging dark circles or the inflammation and redness caused by acne, these aren’t the best options for masking scars—particularly when dealing with irregular textures. For best coverage, consider color-correcting before applying a quality mineral makeup powder that reduces the appearance of scars without caking and drawing attention to textural irregularities. The common colors for neutralizing the blue or purple tones of acne scars are peach or orange concealers. Apply the color correction by gently tapping with your finger. Avoid adding too many layers of a thick product as it could cause the opposite effect by emphasizing the textural changes rather than hiding them. For more pronounced scars, use a full-coverage cream concealer created specifically for masking scar tissue. Then, color in tandem with a light setting powder for a smooth, flawless finish.

Easy Fix #2: Keep Skin Moisturized

Skin around scars tends to become easily inflamed and more sensitive, leading to frequent redness and irritation that can aggravate their appearance. Moisturize often to cut down on these symptoms. Choose a body or face moisturizer that’s best for your skin type, and don’t shy away from oil-based moisturizers or moisturizing oils—it’s an old wives’ tale that all oils are bad for oily skin. Of course, it’s a good idea to increase water intake to help hydrate the skin from the inside out. For a hydration supercharge, especially during seasonal transitions when your skin needs a little more than what topicals may offer, opt for facial rejuvenation treatments with Venus Glow™. The treatment delivers a moisturizing boost to the skin using ultra-fine jet streams of purified water. It deep-cleans the skin, resulting in an instantly hydrated, glowing complexion. 

Easy Fix #3: Hide with Highlighter

Scars that are depressed (dip into the surface of the skin) can be harder to hide with concealer, risking a buildup of too much product for the sake of a seemingly smoother finish. To minimize the appearance of divots and concave scars without clogging pores with too much makeup, try dabbing a light, creamy highlighting makeup on the scar. This will reflect light from the area and minimize the appearance of the scar’s textural irregularity.

Easy Fix #4: Have Patience

Some of us are more susceptible to scarring than others, because of how our genetics vary. Your body has its own way of masking and minimizing the appearance of scars, but its natural healing process takes time, so patience is key. Depending on the type of scar it is, the rate of recovery and healing can vary. Some of the common types of scars include flat scars, raised scars, depressed scars, keloid scars, contracture scars, and stretch marks. After an injury, the body produces an increased level of collagen to prompt the healing of damaged tissue. Using treatments early on in the healing process may cause more harm than good, so ensure the body has ample time—three to four weeks—to heal before pursuing any scar reduction treatment.

Easy Fix #5: Try a Skin Resurfacing Treatment

If the body doesn’t seem to be holding its own to heal and minimize the appearance of scar tissue, try boosting the skin’s natural collagen production levels with a Venus Viva™ skin resurfacing treatment. While there are a variety of treatment options, Venus Viva™ uses advanced radio frequency technology to offer a safe solution for all skin types. Using tiny needles and high energy density to create micro-dermal wounds in the skin’s surface, heat produced through radio frequency technology is delivered below the skin’s surface, prompting the body to begin its natural healing process to revitalize collagen and elastin production. These radio frequency treatments boost collagen levels and stimulate a natural healing response, leading to the correction of scar tissue, and a reduction in the appearance of scars and textural irregularities of the skin.

Interested in learning more about whether RF skin resurfacing treatments are right for you? Locate a certified treatment provider near you today using the search field below.