Coconut oil is an excellent natural remedy for scars, especially for acne scars.
Most people generally use harsh and chemical-rich OTC products to remove scars. However, they do not realize the amount of gradual damage those scar removal products cause to the skin.
Scars form when the dermis (deep, thick layer of skin) is damaged. While the healing process of the wounds is in progress, the body forms new collagen fibers to repair the damage, causing the formation of a scar. The newly formed scar tissue is very different in quality and texture than the surrounding tissue.
Coconut oil has amazing health benefits. It is a widely used oil for cooking, skincare, and hair care and is an essential ingredient in several natural remedies. Because of its moisturizing and hydrating properties, it has become an unavoidable product that every woman should include in their beauty kit.
Coconut oil treatment for scar removal has proven to be practical and effective. Fortunately, several coconut oil remedies are combined with other natural ingredients for scar removal. This article will discuss 8 of the most popular remedies for removing Acne scars, Keloid scars, Hypertrophic scars, and Contracture scars with coconut oil.
Benefits of Coconut Oil for AcneÂ
What are the benefits of coconut oil treatment for acne scars?
According to one of the randomized, double-blind controlled trial studies comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil, coconut oil is effective and safe for skincare treatments. It is as good as any mineral oil used as a therapeutic moisturizer for xerosis.
Another study found the effectiveness of virgin coconut oil in curing wounds without skin inflammation and overcrowding of collagen that causes scarring. It is because of the cumulative effect of this oil’s various biologically active minor components.
The organic oil helps in preventing acne and fades away the scars caused by it. This oil can potentially exfoliate dead skin cells and strengthen the skin’s texture.
This oil’s lauric acid and caprylic acid have potent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can fight the bacteria that cause skin inflammation in acne and wounds.
The presence of caprylic, lauric, and capric acids in coconut oil makes it an outstanding remedy for gradually removing scars.
Coconut oil increases the absorption of Vitamin E, an important natural antioxidant beneficial for the fast recovery of skin abrasions, burns, and other skin infections.
Using coconut oil as a facial cleanser prevents the outburst of new acne. It can make the skin supple and soft with the moisturizing effect of healthy fats. The oil applied to the skin acts as a protective barrier to environmental pollutants that aggravate acne and other infection on the skin that leads to the formation of scars.
Coconut oil also prevents new acne scars from forming. It deeply penetrates, moisturizes, and acts as a defensive barrier against environmental and free radical damage.
Other methods of scar removal treatments, like laser treatment, radiotherapy, dermabrasion, chemical peels, surgery, and collagen induction therapy (CIT), are complicated and expensive. Such treatments are required only if you have to remove stubborn and dark protruded scars. Coconut oil solution for scar removal is simple, practical, and inexpensive, especially for removing thin and light scars from acne, stretch marks, and minor injuries.
Safety of Using Coconut Oil
Is it safe to use coconut on acne-affected skin?
All types of acne, including blackheads, pimples, whiteheads, and cysts, are formed when pores in the skin become clogged with sebum oil and dead skin cells. Sebum oil is necessary for healthy skin; however, if it is trapped under the skin’s outer surface by a plugged hair follicle, it produces bacteria that cause small infections.
Acne is not because of the healthy oils like the coconut oil we apply on the skin or consume. However, vegetable oils and trans fats (margarine, canola oil, corn oil, etc.) can aggravate the inflammation in acne-affected skin tissues.
The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil do not result in clogging of the pores on the skin. It, instead, helps to exfoliate the dead skin tissues and moisturize the dry skin.
Applying and consuming coconut oil assists in getting rid of dirt, grime, bad oils, toxins, and blackheads from within the skin’s pores.
Using coconut oil to detox and cleanse the skin might increase pimples’ breakouts initially. But if you continue to apply the coconut oil regularly, the acne breakouts will diminish and disappear gradually.
The medium-chain fats in coconut oil are beneficial for accelerating the process of healing wounds by increasing the production of collagen and its turnover. Treatment with this oil speeds up rebuilding of skin tissues and blood vessels in the wounded area. Natural curing of wounds and eruptions on the skin without the excess deposits of collagen helps reconstruct healthy skin without scars.
8 Coconut Oil Treatments
Let’s now look at 8 effective treatments with coconut oil for scar removal.
Regularly massaging coconut oil on any type of scar (scarring from cuts, wounds, acne, burns, and stretch marks) is beneficial for gradually fading them away over a period. However, coconut oil for acne scar removal and other scars works best when combined with natural herbal remedies for the scar.
A collective effect of the natural oils, herbs, and coconut products aid in fading away the scars.
Now, let us look at a few of the proven natural remedies for scar removal with coconut oil.
1. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Treatment
Extra virgin is the best type of coconut oil for the skin. Just massage the pure coconut oil on the scars 3 times a day. Here are the tips for getting the maximum benefit out of this treatment:
- Steam your acne or scars affected areas of the skin with a towel dipped in moderately hot water and then dry the skin.
- Apply the virgin coconut oil with your finger by gently massaging the scar-affected skin area.
- Allow the oil to penetrate deep into the skin tissues for 10 minutes.
- Rinse the oil-applied area with warm water and pat dry (do this step only if you need to go to work and do errands outside your home; thus, your skin doesn’t look oily)
- If you are staying at home or going to bed, just wipe off the oil on the skin with tissue paper instead of washing it.
- Warning: This treatment is suitable for those with dry or normal skin, not recommended for oily skin
2. Coconut Oil and Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is an excellent exfoliating agent that can remove dead skin cells and eliminate the bacteria that cause acne. It is also suitable for bleaching skin, making skin and scars lighter.
- Make a lotion that contains two teaspoons of coconut oil and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice.
- Gently massage this lotion on scars and acne.
- After 15 minutes, you can wash and pat dry the skin.
- Warning: Do not apply this lotion on cuts and wounds before they are fully cured
3. Coconut Oil and Honey
Pure and fresh honey contains antibacterial and bleaching properties that help fight acne and scars. It is also a quality skin moisturizer that can make the skin healthy.
- Mix one teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil.
- Massage this lotion on the scarred skin and leave it on the skin for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the skin and pat dry.
- Repeat this treatment twice daily.
4. Coconut Oil and Turmeric
Turmeric is an age-old, time-tested herbal treatment for enhancing and rejuvenating skin. It has a unique ability to reduce inflammation and acne eruption by destroying Propionibacterium acnes. It helps to heal wounds and reduces swelling. Regular use of turmeric paste on the skin lightens the skin complexion and erases scars.
- Take 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Apply this lotion to the affected areas of the skin.
- Gently massage the lotion for a few minutes to allow it to penetrate skin tissues.
- After 15 minutes, wash off the applied lotion with lukewarm water.
- For better results, let the turmeric lotion stay overnight on the skin.
5. Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a well-known natural remedy for almost every skin issue. It soothes erupted pimples, heals acne blisters, and kills the bacteria responsible for acne. It is beneficial for treating dry skin and parched skin. It is regularly used along with various other ingredients for skin lightening and scar removal.
- Mix a tablespoon of aloe vera gel with one tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Gently massage this mixture on the area of the skin to be treated.
- Allow the lotion to stay on the skin for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, you can rinse and pat dry the skin.
- Repeat this treatment twice daily.
6. Coconut Oil and Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is a commonly used natural remedy for dead skin exfoliation. This is also a good bleaching solution for skin lightening.
- Mix ½ tablespoon of brown sugar with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil.
- Massage the brown sugar paste on the areas of the skin to be treated
- Leave the application on the skin for 10 minutes.
- Then rinse with cold water and pat dry the skin.
- Repeat this treatment twice or thrice a week.
7. Baking Soda and Coconut Oil
Baking soda is a popular skin-bleaching solution. It deep cleanses the skin pores to remove dirt and dead skin cells. Baking soda treatment also helps to lighten the dark pigmentation scars and patches on the skin.
- Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Massage the baking soda lotion on the desired skin area for 5 minutes.
- You can rinse off the application with cold water after 15 minutes.
- Repeat the treatment twice a week
8 Other Treatments for Acne Scars with Coconut Oil
Use coconut oil regularly to moisturize your body instead of the skin lotions you get over the counter.
When the coconut oil is applied and left on the skin for a long time, the oils’ vitamins and fatty acids penetrate the skin tissues. This helps to nourish the skin and lighten the scars on the body. If you feel uncomfortable leaving the coconut oil on the body, wash it off after 30 minutes with any good natural body wash.
Regularly consuming 20-30 grams of coconut oil helps make your skin and hair healthy. Coconut oil detoxifies the body and brings about cholesterol balance in the body. Unlike unhealthy fats and oils, consuming coconut oil does not increase the sebum oil in excess. Here are a few ways to include coconut oil in your daily diet.
- Swallow ½ teaspoon extra virgin coconut oil before each meal.
- Use coconut oil for dressing the salad.
- Make coconut oil your preferred cooking oil.
- Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to juices, smoothies, coffee, or tea.
For those who regularly consume coconut oil, it helps heal wounds and acne eruption on the skin quickly with fewer scar marks.
Replace your sunscreen lotion with coconut oil to prevent over-tanning of the skin from sunburn.
Final Thoughts
Virgin raw coconut oil is one of the finest natural remedies for acne and scars, besides the several other benefits it provides to the skin. The healthy cholesterol in coconut oil effectively treats all types of scars.
Applying coconut oil regularly to the skin helps moisturize and protect the skin from external dirt and pollutants that clog the skin’s pores.
You need to understand that when you are treating scars and acne with natural remedies, you shouldn’t be overdoing it. Suddenly, using excessive oil and other herbal ingredients on the skin would produce adverse effects.
You should not expect an overnight solution for scar removal with home remedies. Natural remedies with coconut oil will help fade away the scars with consistent and prolonged usage for several weeks or months, depending on the severity of the scars.
Try out the best coconut treatments that are convenient for you. Stick with the best treatment that works for your type of skin. If you are not fond of this oil, you can also try good natural skin creams like Meladerm for scar removal.
Coconut oil for scars and acne works if you continue the treatment regularly. Don’t give up the treatment after a few days.
Add your opinion in the comment section below if you have any doubts or want to share your experience with coconut oil for scar treatment.
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