Scars on black skin! Scars are fibrous tissues that are formed during the healing process of an injury. As they are more fibrous than the skin tissue, scars might be darker (hyperpigmentation) or lighter(hypopigmentation) than the skin’s color- especially on dark skin.
There are different types of scars as they are caused by different reasons. As such, every scar should be treated differently.
Depending on the cause, scars might take 12-18 months after an injury to heal completely. However, this is not in all cases as some scars might take more time to heal while others might remain on your skin indefinitely.
In this article, we explain the different types of scars. We also provide medical and natural treatment methods for removing stars in black skin permanently.
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Why do scars become dark?
Some scars are darker than the skin color (hyperpigmentation) while others are lighter than the skin color (hypopigmentation).
Scars might turn dark if you expose the injury to direct sunlight while an injury is healing. This is the common reason why scars turn dark.
Other reasons include genetics, poor healing, inflammation of the wound, or it might just be your skin’s method of healing.
Types of scars on black skin
Scars come from injuries on the skin, but different injuries form different types of scars.
In this section, we discuss some common types of scars and their causes.
● Acne scars
Acne scars are caused by severe acne breakouts on the skin. This type of scars are hyper pigmented and are more noticed on the skin of color- especially black skin.
Some acne scars are elevated like keloid scars, some are like deep pits or pores while others are on the same level as the skin.
Acne scars can last for a very long time compared to other types of scars that start fading after some time.
● Contracture scars
Contracture scars are caused by a severe burn or trauma as the skin tightens to form the scar.
This is the type of scar that might restrict movement if it is on a joint or across a tendon, as the scar tissue thickens and tightens.
Contracture scars are best treated by surgical procedures that would reduce the amount of tissue in the scar.
● Eczema scars
These scars are caused by a skin condition called eczema. Eczema is very popular amongst Africans and African-Americans.
The condition comes with discolored and itchy patches on the skin. By itching these patches, you would create injuries that would also form scars. Other eczema scars are discolored patches that take several months to heal.
● Keloid or hypertrophic scars
This is another type of scar that might also limit movements. Keloid scars are scars that are elevated above the skin level and look bigger than the injury.
This type of scar can be caused by any type of injury, but it forms when there is too much collagen around the wound.
Keloid scars take a long time to heal on their own, except if aided with corticosteroid creams, cryosurgery, etc.
● Atrophic scars
This type of scar looks the opposite of keloid scars. Atrophic scars are like pits on the skin. They are caused by the loss of fat or tissue at the wound site.
How to lighten scars on black skin
Although some scars take a long time to heal on their own, some methods can help remove them faster.
Clinical methods that can remove scars on black skin
● Corticosteroid injections
This treatment is mostly used for keloid or hypertrophic scars. Corticosteroid injections would be injected into the scar and would flatten the keloid scar within three to six months.
These injections work by reducing the rate of collagen production in the wound. Corticosteroid injections also break the bonds between the collagen fibers in the scar tissue.
These actions would eventually reduce the size of the scar and cause it to blend with the skin.
● Cryosurgery
This treatment entails freezing the scar tissue to reduce the size. Most times, cryosurgery reduces the size of the scar tissue by half and lightens the color of the scar.
It is best to combine cryosurgery with other home remedies as it does not have a 100% chance of removing the scar tissue.
● Laser treatment
This entails burning specific components of the scar tissue to reduce the size and lighten the color of the scar. Laser treatments also disrupt the development of existing scars around that area.
After reducing the size of the scar, it would stimulate a different healing process that would remove the scar permanently.
Other clinical methods of removing and lightening scars include;
- Bleomycin injections
- Scar surgery
- Polyurethane dressing
- Silicon gel
- Pressure therapy with compression garments
Keep in mind that some of these treatments might cause hyperpigmentation. For this, ensure to discuss with a dermatologist what method would be best for you.
There are also natural methods for removing and lightening scars on black skin. They include;
● Honey
Honey has a lot of health and beauty benefits, including lightening and removing scars.
To use honey on your scar, spread some amount of honey on the scar overnight and cover it with a band-Aid. Wash it off in the morning and repeat the procedure every night until the scar fades away.
● Aloe vera
You could get an aloe vera gel from the leaf directly, or from a nearby store. Apply some amount of aloe vera gel on the scar gently and circularly.
Allow it to rest on your skin for about 30 minutes, after which you can rinse it off with cold water. Carry out this procedure twice a day, preferably in the morning and evening.
● Lemon/lime juice
Lemon/lime juice lightens and removes scars as its acidic properties remove dead cells on and around the scar.
Place lemon/lime juice on the scar with a cloth and allow to settle for about 30 minutes. After which you can wash off the juice from the scar.
Repeat the procedure daily for consistent improvements.
Other natural remedies that can reduce and lighten scars on black skin are;
- Lavender essential oil
- Coconut oil
- Drinking plenty water
- Apple cider vinegar
- Vitamin E
Summary
Scars are part of the healing process of injuries. However, some might have a different color from your skin while others might have a different texture from your skin.
In all, scars might disturb your physical appearance as they might last for a long time. However, there are clinical and natural methods that you could use to lighten and remove scars faster.
These methods are all effective but have different results on different skin. As such, always seek a dermatologist’s advice before employing any method.
