How to Care for a Fresh Scar

Scratches, scrapes and acne blemishes can cause the skin to react by developing a scab, which can turn into a scar once the scab has healed completely. Treating a scar early can ensure that the scar will disappear quickly and will reduce the visibility of any discoloration. Treating a fresh scar can be accomplished by loosening the discolored skin, exfoliating the skin to remove dead skin cells, and toning the skin using a substance high in Vitamin C, which helps improve skin cell turnover. Following this regime will reduce the appearance of a fresh scar, and prevent the scar from lasting longer than necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Olive oil
• Baking soda
• Lemon juice
• Empty spray bottle
• Towel
• Water

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Instructions

• 1

  Soften the discolored skin of a fresh scar by applying oil and steaming the area. Massage 1 tbsp. of olive oil onto the scar using deep pressure and circular movements with the fingers. Continue to massage the skin for at least 5 minutes. Soak a towel in hot, steaming water, and squeeze it out when it is cool enough to touch. Drape the towel over the area of scarring, allowing the hot water to further loosen the skin. Once the towel has cooled completely, wipe any excess oil off the skin using the towel. Repeat this process up to three times to soften and loosen discolored scar skin.

• 2

  Exfoliate the discolored skin of a fresh scar by applying a baking soda scrub. Baking soda is made up of tiny, rounded particulates that remove dead skin cells without damaging the remaining skin. Once the skin has been sufficiently softened, mix 1 tbsp. of baking soda with 1 tsp. of water, then slowly massage the mixture onto the freshly scarred area. Avoid scrubbing the baking soda paste into the skin too aggressively; use slow, circular motions. After two to three minutes, rinse of the paste with warm water. Only use a baking soda exfoliating scrub on the skin twice per week. This will help you avoid removing too much skin too frequently, and will allow new skin cells to form.

• 3

  Tone the discolored skin of a fresh scar by applying lemon juice to the area, which has a high Vitamin C content. Vitamin C helps improve skin cell turnover, and fights off free radicals that could inhibit the rebuilding of the skin's surface. To apply a lemon juice toner, fill a spray bottle with concentrated lemon juice, and spray it liberally onto the area of scarring. Allow the juice to dry onto the skin, and repeat each time you exfoliate the skin with a baking soda scrub.