You can use essential oils for keloids in addition to conventional treatments and/or surgery to get back your flawless skin.
What are Keloids?
Keloids are a type of scarring that can form over a wound or cut. Depending on its maturity, is composed mainly of either type III (early) or type I (late) collagen.
Keloids are different from normal scars. They are firm, tough, rubbery lesions or shiny fibrous nodules that are slightly raised above the skin. A keloid tends to grow beyond the boundaries of the original cut or wound. If formed on a young child, they tend to grow as the skin grows. Keloids are formed as a result of an overgrowth of granulation tissue (collagen type 3) at the site of a healed skin injury which is then slowly replaced by collagen type 1.
A person with African descent or African American descent is more prone to keloid scars. In fact, keloids are seen 15 times more frequently in people with African descent than people with European descent. Studies have shown that those with darker complexions including Africans, Asians or Latinos have a higher risk of keloid scarring as a result of skin trauma. Keloids tend to have a genetic component – if one of the parents has keloids, then a person is more likely to have them.
Keloids can appear in any place when skin trauma has taken place where scarring takes place. This includes surgery, insect bites, ear or body piercings, severe acne, scratching, burns, etc. Many people have sharp needle-like pain and itchiness where the keloid is, but the severity of these depends from person to person.
Top 5 Essential Oils for Keloids
You have a greater chance of reducing the appearance or getting rid of keloids if you start applying treatments when the scar is still in its early stages. If dealing with a mature scar, then essential oils can be used in conjunction with other treatments including surgery. Here are the top 5 essential oils for keloids:
- Helichrysum essential oil (where to get it)
- Frankincense essential oil (where to get it)
- Neroli essential oil (where to get it)
- Benzoin essential oil (where to get it)
- Tea tree essential oil (where to get it)
How to Use Essential Oils for Keloids
The best way to use essential oils for keloids is by mixing them up with carrier oils known to be good for scars. These carrier oils include rosehip seed oil, calendula oil, tamanu oil, emu oil, vitamin E oil and sea buckthorn oil. A preparation of all these oils plus the above essential oils is very effective in treating keloids. Here’s how to prepare the mixture and how to use it for best results:
DIY Keloid Scar Serum
What you need
- 5 tsp rosehip seed oil (where to get it)
- 4 tsp calendula oil (where to get it)
- 4 tsp emu oil (where to get it)
- 4 tsp tamanu oil (where to get it)
- 5 vitamin E capsules (where to get it)
- 10 drops helichrysum essential oil (where to get it)
- 5 drops frankincense essential oil (where to get it)
- 5 drops lavender essential oil (where to get it)
- 5 drops tea tree essential oil (where to get it)
- 3 drops neroli essential oil (where to get it)
- 3 drops benzoin essential oil (where to get it)
- 5 drops sea buckthorn oil (where to get it)
- Small funnel (where to get it)
- 4 oz amber glass dropper bottle (where to get it)
Directions
- Using a small funnel, pour in 5 tsp or rosehip seed oil and 4 tsp each of calendula, emu and tamanu oils into the dropper bottle.
- Then snip off the edge of 5 vitamin E capsules and squeeze the oil into the bottle.
- Finally, carefully add all 5 drops of sea buckthorn oil followed by all essential oils, drop by drop.
- Close the bottle and shake it well to combine all the oils.
- Your keloid scar serum is ready! Label your bottle and include date of preparation. Store it in a cool dry place. This serum is going to last 1-2 years. Do not get any water or other contaminants in it.
How to Use the DIY Keloid Scar Serum
- Get a soft washcloth and wet it in hot water then wring it out. Press it on the keloid scar until it grows cold.
- Now apply 3-5 drops of the keloid scar serum, depending on how big your keloid is.
- Using your index finger and thumb, massage the keloid scar in opposite directions from the center of the scar. This helps break scar tissue. Continue massaging it for at least 2-4 minutes.
- Repeat this massage 2-3 times every day without fail.
How Long will it Take to See Result?
It’s best to start doing this treatment once you notice the keloid right away. Using the treatment while the scar is still new has a very high chance of getting rid of the scar. For new scars, you’ll begin to see improvement within 4-8 weeks.
For old scars, it’ll take longer but expect to see improvements within 10 weeks. If you continue using the serum for longer, the old scar will begin to reduce in appearance. If you have a very big, jagged and raised old scar, then please also seek advice from a medical professional. They might suggest surgery or other helpful treatments. Then you can use this scar serum in conjunction with or after the treatments suggested by the medical professional.
Caution
- If you’re new to essential oils, please read Caution & Safety when Using Essential Oils
- Do a patch test in your inner elbow before using the DIY Keloid Scar Serum to see that it won’t irritate your skin.
- Keep essential oils away from children and pets.