Healing Remedy For Scarring & Acne

Using Essential Oils for Scar Treatment

If you feel that the only options for reducing the appearance of scars are painful chemical peels or risky procedures like dermaplaning, you will be delighted to learn about the regenerating powers of essential oils for scar treatment.

Essential oils are one of the oldest healing remedies on the planet and have been used by native populations for centuries.  They are the distilled essence of the plant and while the science of how they work wasn’t investigated until recently, there is no mistaking the potency and effectiveness of using essential oils for treating scars and acne.

Tamanu Essential Oil Penetrates and Repairs From Within

Each essential oil has a unique chemical signature. Tamanu oil has exceptional penetrating qualities that carry the oil past the epidermis, which is the outer layer of the skin, to the underlying dermis layer. The dermis is composed of collagen and elastic tissue. It is nourished by blood vessels and contains sweat glands, nerve endings and provides support for the epidermis.

When there is a wound to the skin, Tamanu oil can penetrate deeply to the dermis where it can activate collagen production and the regeneration of connective tissue. 

Tamanu oil has been shown in scientific studies to provide wound healing properties.[1] This is important in the healing process as this greatly impacts the size and appearance of the resulting scar. Scars that are deeper and older can benefit from the application of Tamanu essential oil due to the exceptional penetrating power of this oil.

How Do Scars Form?

Scars are a natural part of the body's healing process. A scar results from the biological process of wound repair which only requires that a patch be created.  Scars can be raised or flat.

Since the skin is the protective layer between the external world and our internal world, quickly repairing a wound is crucial to prevent infection. Unfortunately, the physical mechanism developed to do this isn’t too concerned with the aesthetics of the result. 

Antibacterial Properties of Manuka and Tamanu Oil 

Keeping the wound clean and free of bacteria is one of the best ways of preventing a noticeable scar. Uninfected wounds heal properly.  Using Tamanu essential oil during wound healing has been shown to aid healing due to the antibacterial properties contained in it. [2]

Manuka honey has been successfully used in the medical treatment of burns and wounds for decades.[3]  It isn’t a surprise to us to find that Manuka essential oil contains a much higher potency of the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties contained in the honey. Using Manuka oil for scars is highly beneficial, particularly during the healing phase. [4]  

Types of Scars 

There are different kinds of scars. Most scars are flat and pale. However, in cases when the body produces too much collagen, as in a deep wound, scars can become raised and appear red due to inflammation.

Successfully reducing the appearance of scars depends on many factors such as the age and extent of the wound and whether or not the product used can get deep into the collagen-producing layer of the skin. Tamanu oil promotes the production of collagen and cell regrowth. It is rich in fatty acids that assist in healing scars while promoting new skin growth. [5]

Older Scars and Stretch Marks

It is best to work on scar repair as soon as possible, preferably while the wound is healing.  The resulting scar will be much more refined. Some older scars respond well to Tamanu oil as this oil has exceptional penetrating power to get to the dermis layer. Using Tamanu oil for scars and stretch marks can smooth and refine them so they are less noticeable. 

Tamanu oil molecules are very small and can pass through the outer barrier to get to where new tissue growth occurs. Over time, the collagen fibers in the inner skin are renewed which can result in a less noticeable scar.

Your outer skin will regenerate approximately every 27 days.[6] The key to success with older scars and stretch marks is consistency. Applying Tamanu oil once or twice a day over a period of time will get results. 

Essential Oils for Acne Scars

Acne is almost a rite of passage for most young people and usually resolves over time with little to no scarring.  But it is more than just a cosmetic concern for those dealing with scars into adulthood. Acne scars can hinder career goals, social activities, and pierce one’s self-confidence. There is also a growing incidence of adult-onset acne which is unexpected and very unwelcome. 

Using Tamanu oil or Manuka oil in the daily routine is one of the best ways of treating outbreaks and also of ensuring that scars aren’t forming. Tamanu oil has been shown to assist in the regeneration of skin tissue and in preventing inflammation which can cause scarring.[7]Manuka oil has potent antibacterial properties that can help fight acne outbreaks and prevent infection which is one of the causes of acne scarring. [8]

Fading Stretch Marks and Burn Scars 

Stretch marks are a type of scar which is formed when the skin is forced to shrink or stretch quickly because of pregnancy. Rapid weight loss from bypass surgery procedures or severe dieting can also cause stretch marks. They are usually red and when mature become flat. This is due to the collagen and elastin in the dermis layer rupturing from the pressure. 

Applying Tamanu essential oil to stretch marks as they are forming is recommended to ensure they fade over time. The anti-inflammatory and penetrating properties of Tamanu oil have been well documented in studies. Using it regularly during pregnancy or rapid weight gain or loss will help the collagen and elastin-producing layer of the skin keep up with the rapidly expanding, or contracting upper layer. 

Sunburn and mild burns respond well to Tamanu oil. Scalds and severe burns need immediate treatment by a medical professional. In these severe cases, using Tamanu oil after initial healing has a place in the rejuvenation of fresh skin tissue.

Discover the Scar Fading Power of Essential Oils 

If you have scars that cause pain or emotional stress, you owe it to yourself to give Tamanu and Manuka essential oils a try. These precious oils are used by local people throughout Southeast Asia and New Zealand for many skin conditions, including reducing the appearance of scars. 

Tamanu oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It can penetrate into the deeper regions of the skin.  This is where the real repair work is done with the formation of collagen and the repair and rejuvenation of skin cells.

Manuka oil is antibacterial, anti-viral with strong anti-inflammatory properties. Using it during wound healing can ensure the healing process will contribute to a thin, almost invisible scar that will fade further as time goes on. 

Treating scars is one of the most emotionally gratifying reasons to use these pure organic essential oils. Skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis create scarring and these oils not only treat the condition, they greatly reduce the appearance of scars, sometimes making them all but invisible.

References:
1.,2.,7. National Center for Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4583440/

3. National Center for Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4837971/

4.,5. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118213002466

6. Web MD: https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-overview-skin#1
7. National Library of Medicine

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=manuka+oil+antibacterial+propertis