Does applying aloe, vitamin E, or one of a variety of marine plants from algae to seaweed help heal wounds, prevent scars, or reduce the scarring you already have? There’s no single substance or product that can address the complex issue of wound healing and scars, but there is a sensible plan you can follow to minimize scarring as much as possible. Although aloe and algae can’t hurt a scar and may indeed be helpful, what is more important is the overall way you treat the wound from its first moments, when the skin is injured, to the end, when the scar has formed.
Skin’s unique, but unfortunate, response to injury is scarring. But skin, almost miraculously, also regenerates quickly, essentially renewing itself in two to four weeks. Depending on your genetic makeup and the depth of the injury, scarring can range from a slightly reddish discoloration to a thick, raised red or darkened scar (described as hypertrophic or keloidal), to serious disfigurement. Even so, the way you initially take care of a wound makes all the difference in the world.
Whether it is from acne, getting cut, or an operation, when skin damage first occurs you should allow it to “breathe” as much as possible. Do not gunk up the area with creams, lotions, or vitamin E from capsules. Rubbing creams and lotions on a wound can damage fragile skin in the first stages of healing. Keep the damaged skin clean (but don’t overclean it); using a gentle cleanser is the best way to do this. If you suspect there is a risk of infection, consider using an over-the-counter antibacterial such as Bacitracin.
At this stage, a lightweight gel or liquid that includes antioxidants and anti-irritants can help a great deal, but little is the operative word here. In the beginning, keep the injured site out of sunlight altogether, as opposed to loading up the area with sunscreen.
Heavy creams will suffocate the skin and prevent it from healing. Once the wound is healed, keep it out of sunlight as much as possible. After that, remember it’s imperative to protect the area with sunscreen. Sun damages skin and doesn’t promote healing. Smoking is a skin destroyer and will also prevent healthy healing of wounds.
Here’s what to do when you have a wound:
1. Wounds or lesions that don’t require immediate medical attention (that is, if the wound does not require stitches and is not a chronic non-healing ulcer) should not be completely or heavily covered or occluded when the damage first occurs (Source: Archives of Dermatological Research, November 2001, pages 491-499). After cleansing, it is best to cover the wound with a light, thin bandage. In other words, avoid heavy bandages, creams, salves, or oils, which can all impair the skin’s initial healing process. Depending on where the wound or lesion is, it can be OK to wear a very lightweight bandage during the day or very lightweight moisturizers to protect the skin from getting reinjured. But if you don’t have a lightweight bandage, take the coverings off at night or apply a lotion that lets air get to the wound.
2. Let a scab form and don’t pick or touch it—ever! Any manipulation or removal is a serious impediment to the healing that is taking place underneath and can cause scarring that would otherwise not have taken place.
3. Do not soak the lesion in water. Too much moisture saturation prevents wound healing.
4. It is important to keep the wound clean to prevent infection. Using a gentle cleanser is essential. Topical Bacitracin is an option if you suspect a risk of infection, but use it minimally because it is very thick and occlusive and can prevent air from getting to the wound.
5. Do not irritate the skin! The skin’s primary, natural reaction to a wound is inflammation, which makes blood surge to the area to aid in healing. However, inflammation must be kept to a minimum and it should not be exacerbated since that can further damage skin. Anything you do to irritate the skin more makes matters worse. That means no soaps (they’re too drying), no highly fragrant products (fragrant plant extracts and synthetic fragrances are all irritating), and, as always, no alcohol, peppermint, menthol, citrus, eucalyptus, clove, camphor, or mint. If the wound in on the hand, be careful handling citrus, mint, and spices while cooking.
6. Use sun protection! Leaving a wound unprotected to sun exposure impedes the skin’s healing process and causes further skin damage.
7. If you do want to apply something soothing to the skin, use a very lightweight moisturizing lotion or pure aloe vera gel. Aloe’s benefit for wound healing is mostly anecdotal; however, because aloe allows skin to breathe and can be soothing, it is still a great option to consider in the beginning. A moisturizer with antioxidants is the best way to help the wound continue healing.