As skin heals it develops scar tissue, which may become permanent. It’s much easier to prevent scarring on a fresh wound, though there is potential to reduce or fade old scars with regenerative essential oils.
Alone or combined, some suggested essential oils for scarring are:
• Cedarwood
• Geranium
• Helichrysum
• Rose
• Vetiver
An Ounce of Prevention
One of the best times to treat scars is as they begin to form, which means taking good care of the wounds that cause them. Check out remedies for:
• Acne
• Burns
Whether you have a scar in the making or one that’s already established, these aromatherapy applications may be able to help.
• Simple massage. Dilute a few drops of cell-regenerative essential oils in the carrier oil of your choice and massage the mixture onto your scar.
• Facial products. If acne scars are an issue, use an unscented facial moisturizer or toner infused with scar-fading essential oils.
• Regenerative balm. Applying a healing and cell-regenerative balm to a fresh wound will assist the skin’s healing process, preventing permanent scar tissue.
Natural Partners for Aromatherapy
For maximum results, combine your essential oils with these other natural remedies:
• Get help from herbal remedies. Several herbs, such as gotu kola and calendula, are recommended topical herbals to prevent scarring.
• Apply aloe. Cut open a leaf of aloe vera and lightly apply its healing inner gel to scars.
• Heal with honey. Applying naturally regenerative honey to a wound may help it heal with minimal scarring.
Help heal and fade your scars with these aromatherapy recipes. If you don’t have rose or vetiver essential oils on hand, swap them out for one of the others on the list highlighted in this chapter.
If your face has unflattering acne scars or dark spots, this daily facial toner may help reduce their appearance.
½ cup witch hazel (preferably with aloe vera)
¼ cup apple cider vinegar (or vodka)
10 drops helichrysum oil
5 drops rose oil
1 tablespoon jojoba oil
1 8-ounce dark-glass container
Filtered water to fill
Add all of the ingredients to the bottle and shake to blend. Apply to the face using a cotton pad or cotton ball.
This simple blend has powerful healing and regenerative properties.
1 teaspoon carrier oil
3 drops helichrysum oil
2 drops vetiver oil
Combine the oils in a small bowl. Massage the mixture onto your scars up to three times a day, as needed.