“A scar means you were stronger than what tried to hurt you.”
– Unknown
While this statement may be a great morale booster, many of us would rather do without the validation. For some, a scar can even be a big blow to their self-esteem, especially if it is on their face.
A scar can be of any shape and size. It is made of fibrous tissue that forms over a wound in order to protect the area. Scars can develop as a result of an injury, a burn, acne, bug bites, and surgery, to name a few.
While you can never really make a scar fully disappear, you can certainly improve its appearance using natural ingredients. One of these potent ingredients is turmeric.
According to a 2015 study published in The West Indian Medical Journal, turmeric was found to be effective in healing a caesarian wound without causing any complications.
The active compound curcumin found in turmeric is what works magic on your skin. It is a powerful antioxidant that is absorbed into your epidermis and boosts healthy skin renewal. It also controls melanin production in your skin and helps lighten the scar naturally.
Being an excellent antibacterial and antiseptic agent, turmeric can even help a fresh wound heal faster and prevent the formation of a scar altogether.
If you have an unsightly scar, you can turn to Mother Nature for help. Here are the seven best ways to use turmeric to fade scars.
Note: Even though turmeric is generally safe for topical application, always do a patch test first. If you experience any skin irritation, wash it off immediately. You can try some other remedies to get rid of a scar.
Contents
Method 1: Turmeric and Lemon
The first effective home remedy for dealing with a scar naturally is a combination of turmeric and lemon. Being anti-inflammatory, turmeric helps heal the wound and also improves the texture of the skin. Lemon has bleaching properties that help lighten the scar.
This remedy serves well for acne scars, as lemon also helps reduce the oiliness of the skin and kills the bacteria causing acne.
Things you’ll need:
- Organic turmeric powder (anti-inflammatory) – 1 teaspoon
- Lemon juice, freshly squeezed (lightens skin) – 1 teaspoon
Step 1. Mix lemon juice in turmeric powder
- Put 1 teaspoon of organic turmeric powder in a bowl.
- Squeeze in 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice.
- Mix the two well until you get a thick paste.
Step 2. Apply the paste to your scar twice daily
- Use your finger to apply the paste to your scar.
- Massage it for 1 to 2 minutes, then leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with cool water and pat your skin dry.
- Apply a moisturizer or coconut oil to keep the skin hydrated.
Repeat twice every day. You’ll notice improvement after 2 to 3 months of regular use. Continue applying it daily until the scar fades significantly.
Method 2: Turmeric with Lemon and Sandalwood
Adding skin-soothing sandalwood powder to a blend of turmeric and lemon can take away any irritation caused by the acidic lemon. Sandalwood is also antimicrobial and will help kill any bacteria trying to invade the site of the injury. It also aids in skin lightening and removes spots and blemishes.
Things you’ll need:
- Sandalwood powder (anti-inflammatory) – 1 tablespoon
- Organic turmeric powder (regenerates skin) – 1 teaspoon
- Lemon juice, freshly squeezed (lightens scars) – a few drops
Step 1. Combine the three ingredients
- Put 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a mixing bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon of sandalwood powder to it.
- Add a few drops of fresh lemon juice as well.
Step 2. Mix well & apply it to the scar twice daily
- Use a spoon to mix the ingredients well.
- Apply a thick layer of the paste to your scar.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water.
- Pat your skin dry and apply a light moisturizer.
Repeat twice daily for 2 to 3 months to get positive results.
Method 3: Turmeric and Honey
Turmeric can also be combined with honey to form a hydrating scar-healing pack. Honey, being a natural humectant, keeps the scarred tissue hydrated, while turmeric lightens the scar. Both ingredients are also powerful antioxidants that prevent free-radical damage and ensure faster scar healing.
Note: Use raw, organic honey only. The processed variety lacks essential nutrients.
Things you’ll need:
- Organic turmeric powder (lightens scars) – 1 teaspoon
- Organic, raw honey (acts as a humectant) – 1 tablespoon
Step 1. Combine turmeric and honey
- Put 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a container.
- Add 1 tablespoon of raw honey.
Step 2. Mix well & apply it on your scar 3 or 4 times a week
- Mix the two well until you get a lump-free paste.
- Apply the blend on your scar and massage it for 2 to 3 minutes to exfoliate the skin.
- Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash it off with cool water.
Use this remedy 3 or 4 times a week for 2 to 3 months to use turmeric to fade scars.
Method 4: Turmeric and Coconut Oil
Similar to honey, coconut oil also helps keep the skin well-moisturized for faster healing. Both turmeric and coconut oil contain antioxidants that fight off free-radical damage. Together, they also boost collagen production to replace the scar tissue with healthy skin.
Things you’ll need:
- Organic turmeric powder (rich in antioxidants) – 1 teaspoon
- Extra-virgin coconut oil (rich in antioxidants) – 1 tablespoon
Step 1. Mix turmeric and coconut oil
- Put 1 teaspoon of organic turmeric powder in a bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut oil.
- Mix the two thoroughly.
Step 2. Apply the blend to the scar daily
- Scoop out a small amount of the paste with your finger.
- Apply it over the scar, covering it completely.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Rewet the paste and massage it for 5 minutes before rinsing it off with water.
- Pat your skin dry. You need not apply a moisturizer, as the coconut oil will keep the skin moisturized.
Repeat daily until your scar begins to fade.
Method 5: Turmeric and Olive Oil
Olive oil is considered one of the best oils for healthy-looking skin. When used for scars, the antioxidants in olive oil along with the curcumin in turmeric help speed up the skin regeneration process to replace the scar tissue. The fatty acids in the olive oil also keep the skin deeply moisturized for faster recovery.
Things you’ll need:
- Organic turmeric powder (aids skin renewal) – 1 teaspoon
- Olive oil (rich in antioxidants, moisturizes skin) – 1 tablespoon
Step 1. Mix turmeric and olive oil
- Put 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Use the unprocessed variety for maximum benefit.
- Mix the two well with a spoon.
Step 2. Apply the turmeric and oil blend on your scar daily
- Apply an even layer of the paste on your scar.
- Leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Massage the paste over the scar for 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water.
- Pat your skin dry.
Repeat once daily until your scar has sufficiently faded away.
Method 6: Turmeric and Aloe Vera
Another popular remedy for treating scars is a blend of turmeric and aloe vera gel. While turmeric works as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent, the aloe vera gel boosts collagen production around the scar tissue.
A 2016 clinical trial published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery confirmed that topical application of aloe vera gel increased wound contraction and decreased the scar tissue size in rats.
Therefore, its regular application may help improve the elasticity of the skin and diminish scars in humans as well.
Things you’ll need:
- Organic turmeric powder (anti-inflammatory) – 1 teaspoon
- Fresh aloe vera gel (improves skin elasticity) – 1 tablespoon
Single-Step Treatment: Apply a mix of turmeric and aloe vera to the scar daily
- Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel until you get a uniform paste. If you have an aloe plant or can buy fresh aloe leaves, you can learn how to extract fresh aloe vera gel here.
- Smear a thick layer of the paste to your scar and leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Rewet the paste with a few drops of water and massage the scarred area for 5 minutes.
- Rinse off the paste with water and pat your skin dry.
Repeat once daily and use turmeric to fade scars naturally.
Method 7: Turmeric and Yogurt
The last but highly effective combination is turmeric and yogurt. The turmeric aids skin renewal and lightens the scar, while the yogurt acts as a skin cleanser. Yogurt also contains alpha hydroxy acids that help slough off the upper layer of scar tissue and improve its appearance over time.
Things you’ll need:
- Organic turmeric powder (lightens scars) – 1 teaspoon
- Plain yogurt (cleanses skin) – 1 tablespoon
Step 1. Combine turmeric and yogurt
- Put 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt.
Step 2. Mix well & apply it to the scar daily
- Use a spoon to mix the two ingredients well.
- Apply the paste to the scar and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse it off with cool water and pat dry your skin.
Repeat once daily until your scar becomes unnoticeable.
Tips
- Use an organic variety of turmeric to get the maximum benefits. The packaged varieties often contain chemicals and preservatives that can reduce the efficacy of the turmeric.
- Be careful while using turmeric, as it can leave a bright yellow stain on your skin and clothes. If needed, we’ve compiled easy home remedies to get turmeric stains out of clothing.
- You can also whip up homemade turmeric masks to get rid of acne scars.
- Turmeric can also be used to lighten your skin naturally.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26624595
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25003428