How to get rid of old scars: Physical and emotional

When we are physically or emotionally harmed, the experience can leave a long-lasting impression. When it comes to mental pain, scars can come in the form of trauma, which may continue to impact our lives even years later. Meanwhile, the physical pain that we have been through sometimes leaves real scars on our bodies that might fade over time or never quite go away. Addressing physical and emotional scars can be a beneficial part of the healing process. Aloe vera gel, tone correctors, cosmetic dermatology, and tattoos can be helpful for physical scars. Meanwhile, relaxation, introspection, self-care, and in-person or online therapy can be helpful for emotional scars. 

Don't feel ashamed of your scars

That said, you may still wish to heal them. If this is your goal, here are some of the best remedies to remove old scars, both physical and emotional.

How to heal physical scars

Physical scars may develop differently for each person. No matter what type of scars you have, here are some valuable treatments you can try. It can be best to speak to your doctor before trying these options.

Tone correctors and lighteners

If you have scars that are darker than your usual skin tone, using tone correctors and skin lighteners can lessen the discoloration and blend it with your natural skin tone. You can find these types of products at your local drugstore at an affordable price and apply them daily until you reach the desired tone. If you have a raised scar, you may also be able to use additional products, like cortisol patches and silicone sheets, to flatten it.

Aloe vera and other natural remedies

Getty/AnnaStills

Pure aloe vera gel is often said to be one of the best natural options to eliminate old scars, thanks to its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be helpful to apply aloe vera gel to the affected area several times a day for the best results. 

Cosmetic dermatology

Old scars can be hard to remove, so the best thing to do for your wounds is often to take care of them while they are healing. However, cosmetic dermatology may work better than at-home remedies for old scars. A dermatologist can help you decide which treatment may work best for you so that you can fill sunken scars, correct the tone of scars that may cover larger areas, and remove sections that are raised.

Tattoos

One creative way to cover or work with old scars could be tattooing over them or incorporating them into a tattoo. For example, this can be an excellent way for self-harm survivors to start fresh and use art to transform their potentially negative association with their scars into something more positive. It can be ideal to choose something meaningful that you want to have on your body for the rest of your life.

If you or someone you know is dealing with self-harm or suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 as soon as possible. Help is available 24/7.

How to heal emotional scars

Emotional scars may not be present on the surface, but they can still be visible in your actions and behaviors. Healing these types of scars can be lengthy and challenging, but it is often a worthwhile process and can make life much more enjoyable. Here are some methods you can use to reduce the impact of the past as you navigate the healing process.

Try relaxation and self-awareness exercises

Many relaxation exercises can help you dig deeper within yourself and provide a host of mental and physical health benefits. They can teach you more about what may be hurting you and how to heal it. Yoga, for example, can be a great way to heal old emotional wounds. This strong yet gentle form of exercise can help us connect with our breath and calm down, which you can use to your advantage when practicing emotional control. 

Other helpful and easy relaxation exercises to consider can include mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises, which can be practiced anywhere.

Learn more about yourself and your desires

Healing from the past can involve having a deep knowledge of what hurt us, how it affected us, and how it shaped us into the people we are today. It may also mean working through past experiences and breaking the cycle to become the people we want to be. Take some time to reflect on all these aspects of yourself and your life and determine who you want to be once you've healed. 

Create a self-care routine

Putting together a self-care routine that you can follow daily may be another way to heal emotional scars over time. This method can be helpful because it generally requires you to acknowledge that you are worthy of taking this time for yourself. It can ask you to let go of thoughts of the past or future so you can enjoy the present. Your self-care routine might involve exercise, meditation, journaling, reading, listening to your favorite music, dancing, taking a bath, or anything else you can think of that helps you feel happy, calm, and at peace with yourself.

Seek professional help

Seeing a licensed mental health professional to address emotional scarring can be a beneficial tool throughout your healing process. You can look for a suitable therapist in your local area or match with a mental health care provider through an online therapy platform.

Benefits of online therapy

If you feel nervous or uncomfortable with the thought of meeting with a therapist in person, online therapy can be a valid alternative. You can attend sessions from the location of your choice at a time that fits your schedule and choose between video call, phone call, and online chat options. Online therapy also tends to make it easy to switch providers as needed until you find a therapist you feel comfortable with.

Effectiveness of online therapy

Online therapy can be an effective way to address trauma and mental health disorders that may arise from untreated trauma. Clinical studies show that those who sought online therapy for conditions like anxiety and depression usually saw a reduction in their symptoms equal to the reductions resulting from in-person therapy.

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