If an accident or surgery has left you with noticeable scars, you may be hoping for a quick fix to get rid of them. Unfortunately, there is no way to immediately vanish your scars, but there are some things you can do to help reduce their visibility over time. This guide on how to get rid of scars will offer some advice on scars and what you can do to help them fade.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.

• Scars are caused after skin is injured or cut. Scar tissue is tougher and more fibrous than the original skin it replaces. For this reason, scar tissue is more noticeable and, depending on the type of injury, scars will vary in their appearance or severity. Once a scar has developed, it will always be there, but all scars naturally fade over time.

(Creative Commons photo by dharmabox)

• Since there are several different types of scars and ways to get rid of them, you should talk to your doctor or dermatologist about your scars. Your doctor will examine your scars and recommend the best method to help reduce their visibility.

• There are several products at your local drugstore that profess to help vanish scars. However, most doctors agree that these products have little affect on severe scar tissue. With regular use, products such as alpha-hydroxy creams, silicone-based scar sheets, Mederma gel and Vitamin E creams may help reduce minor surface scars, but will take several months or years to do so.

• After examining your scars, your doctor may recommend a more aggressive method to help fade your scars, such as steroid injections, dermabrasion, laser surgery, chemical peels or plastic surgery. You should not, however, pursue these methods unless under the advice of a licensed doctor, since some treatments are not appropriate for all types of scars and can cause further damage.

• The only tried and true method to reduce the appearance of scars is to wait for them to fade on their own. You should always consult with your doctor or dermatologist before pursuing treatments that profess to fade or reduce scars, since some will cause little or no difference and could even cause further damage to the scarred area.

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