You shouldn’t be ashamed of your scars. They are a part of the natural healing process of the skin. Any scar is a sign that your skin is healing and functioning as intended. Even still, it can be incredibly frustrating to have a procedure and be left with an scar. So, how long does it take for scars to go away? There are so many factors that affect the healing time for scars, it’s hard to name them all. We have listed a few of the major factors to help you best determine how long it might stick around and maybe even how to make it fade faster.


The Fixed Variables

When it comes to scar healing, unfortunately, some factors are out of your control. For example, some skin types scar more severely causing keloid or hypertrophic scars. These scars can take years to fade significantly and often require the assistance of scar management products. Age is another factor that causes more noticeable scars. As you age your skin loses some of its resiliency, which means it isn’t quite as good as repairing itself. We are thankful for this when we are young and scrape our knee, but later in life it can make fading scars pretty tough.


Watch What You Eat

Food is great! Even more so when it helps maintain healthy skin. Foods high in Vitamin C are great for the overall health and appearance of your skin. Also, don’t neglect the importance of staying hydrated. When your body stays hydrated so does your skin. One of the most important factors in maintaining healthy skin and fading scars is making sure your skin retains moisture.


Take Good Care of Your Wound

Sometimes you don’t really think about your scar until after your stitches come out. That’s not great if you want to ensure the best result from your surgery. To be scar-free you have to begin taking measures to reduce the risk of a scar before it ever appears. That means properly cleaning and managing your wound. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions for proper wound care.


Speeding up the Scar Healing Process

Scar management products can be used to help speed up the scar healing process. RejûvaSil silicone scar gel can help form a barrier over your scar which can enhance the body’s own natural healing process. These products are effective even for the most difficult scars. Massaging the scar may help quicken the process too. You can even couple your massage with a scar cream for a little extra benefit. There are also surgical procedures and injections that can help reduce scarring, but these are often expensive and inconvenient.
One given in scar management, no matter your strategy, is that it takes time. No matter how you approach it, getting rid of a scar always is matter of patience and perseverance. But, if you want to make the process move a little quicker, some of these tips may help you get rid of your scar a little sooner.