S.O.S. (Save Our Skin): How To Stave Off Scars For Good
Despite those who claim to have a naturally flawless complexion, lets face it (no pun intended), no one is perfect when it comes to maintaining unblemished skin. Whether it’s that pimple we shouldn’t have popped, a swipe of the hair curler a little too close to the cheek, or even a spontaneous broken bone, the marks, bruises, and scars write stories all over our skin.
Usually people don’t like to display such reminders of past damage, and often resort to heavy cosmetics or drastic procedures to do away with such evidence. However, the makeup is only temporary, and medications or surgeries carry their own risks. I myself have struggled with quite a few unsightly scars. One of these bothersome blemishes was a mark from a past pimple above my upper lip that made it look like I foolishly swiped a little too high with the lipstick. Another was an accidental slash from a straightening iron on my neck which caused me to resemble a victim of Edward Cullen (probably would have been a far more interesting explanation instead of my lack of attention to the dangers of hot hair tools). The last was a four inch long scar on my shin from shaving. I told everyone it was a result of a bad fall and scrape, as I was far too embarrassed to admit that I could be so careless with a razor. These three “not-so-beauty” marks were quite unattractive, and they definitely didn’t do much to help my reputation as being a bit clumsy on occasion.
I tried multiple coverups, powders, and even fake tanning lotions to try to blend these haunting hallmarks with my natural skin tone, but to no avail. They all washed off or smudged eventually, revealing my angry scars underneath. However, I did finally discover the answer to my skin anguish through a few incredible products. If you also find yourself confronting a complexion coup d’état in which your blemishes are belligerently overthrowing your confidence, consider the following products to sign that peace treaty with your skin once and for all:
The infamous Edward Cullen bite (scar) before…
…and after. Bio Oil faded the slash faster than the sunlight would scare away a real vampire.
BEST PRODUCT FOR SENSITIVE SKIN:
If you have a blotch on a baby soft area of skin, like your neck or the underside of your forearm, Bio Oil is the perfect product to remedy your stubborn scar. Made with plant based ingredients and vitamins, Bio Oil will give you a renewed, glowing look while causing the culprit of your imperfect complexion to vanish within months.I applied Bio Oil to my Edward Cullen “vampire hickey”and the odd looks and suspicious inquiries ceased after just four weeks.
Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15 ($27, Sephora
BEST PRODUCT FOR FACIAL BLEMISHES:
The effectiveness of Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Corrector could very well be attributed to the concentration of Vitamin C, but I’m convinced there must be some other magical ingredient in the formula. The little green tube holds what is truly a miracle medicine for any irksome imperfections on the face. This wonder worker completely wiped out the the scar above my lip in two months time, allowing me to ditch the coverup I used in the past to conceal that spiteful spot. While I haven’t necessarily retired all face makeup, I have opted for a far more au naturel look and feel instead. I apply the Garnier at night, but during the day, I wear Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15. This silver topped little container instantly evens out skin tone. “Even better”, (perhaps this is where the product gets its name) it also packages protective SPF. It’s a perfect product for the in between stages of scar fading. When the mark isn’t fully gone and you’re not quite ready to go cold turkey on coverage, this product will both accelerate the process and temporarily blend the blotch with the rest of your face.
Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Corrector ($14.99, Target)
BEST PRODUCT FOR SCARS ANYWHERE
As an alternative to the Bio Oil, Mederma products, specifically Mederma Gel Scar Treatment, are also highly effective, and work on any and all areas of skin. I used Mederma on my shin scar, and after just two months, I was finally able to proudly bare my legs without simultaneously baring my lack of proper shaving skills. The gel is smooth, as opposed to sticky, and leaves a clear film, rather than a goopy residue on skin. After applying Mederma, I then also used cocoa butter lotion, which doubled as a moisturizer and an additional skin smoother. Cocoa butter helps to even skin tone and it smells a bit like chocolate and coconut. A delicious treat for the skin? Don’t mind if I do. Try Vaseline Cocoa Butter Gel Body Oil, which is ideal for use right after the shower, or Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Lotion, which is perfect for mostly any time of day.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Lotion ($5.03, CVS)
Despite the ranting about all my little bumps and blotches, as bothersome as scars can be, they can also be equally beautiful. I do have one scar that in an odd way, I actually love. It has faded to the point where I’d probably have to point it out to others, but I can personally still detect it without much difficulty. This backwards L-shaped scratch (a bit ironic as my name begins with L, as if it’s meant to be there) resulted from one of the first times I held my then baby brother, Benjamin. As a curious infant, he innocently reached up to grab my nose, but instead, he nicked my cheek with his little fingernails. Yes, it’s a bit Lion King esque, and kind of makes me look like Baby Simba blessed by a Rafiki who swiped a little too far to the right. But, everytime I look at that scar, rather than express disdain or curse my little brother for leaving his mark on my cheek, I see it as a reminder of how happy I was when he was born.
Me, Benjamin, and my now-faded scar (clearly, I still love him just as much as I did when he was a little toddler, not sure how he feels about me though.)
If you don’t have any scars you love though, and you really would rather them just disappear, my last piece of advice is patience. Not to sound cliché, but time does heal everything. Your scar will fade, but for now, these products will certainly expedite the process and help you forge ahead to skin beautiful enough for you to star in a Skintimate advertisement.
Category: Beauty
