Foundations: Oiling Scars
The Importance of Oiling Scars: Supporting Healing and Health
Scars tell stories. They can serve as reminders of life’s challenges, victories, and even healing journeys. However, while we often associate scars with resilience, they can also represent areas of our bodies that need extra care and nourishment.
Our bodies have really complex electrical systems, similar to the electrical circuits in our homes. Cuts and scar tissue can act like a “cut” in that circuit, interrupting the flow of electricity across the body.
Oiling scars facilitates the immediate reconnection of this circuit and, over time, helps heal the scar and connect these energy pathways.
Understanding Scars
Scars form when the skin undergoes healing after an injury, surgery, or trauma. While the primary aim of scar tissue is to restore skin integrity, it often differs in texture and pigmentation from the surrounding skin.
Scars can vary in appearance—from raised, red, or thickened (hypertrophic scars) to flat, pale ones—and may also exhibit sensitivity, itching, or discomfort. Taking care of your scar is a practice that creates a strong foundation for your health.
Benefits of Oiling Scars
Reconnection of the electrical flow of the body, supporting foundational healing.
Hydration and Moisture Retention: Well-moisturized skin supports the healing process and helps prevent excessive dryness and tightness.
Improved Elasticity and Flexibility: Regularly applying oil can help improve the elasticity and flexibility of scar tissue.
Enhanced Texture and Appearance: Consistent oil application can help soften and smooth out the appearance of scars over time. It may also help lessen the contrast between the scar and surrounding skin.
Soothing Sensitivity and Discomfort: Many oils have soothing properties that can alleviate discomfort or itching associated with scars, providing a comforting effect to the affected area.
Protective Barrier: Oils create a barrier on the skin’s surface that helps protect the healing tissue from environmental factors, such as pollutants and irritants.
Choosing the Right Oils
When selecting oils for scar treatment, opt for natural, high-quality oils known for their skin-nourishing properties. Excellent choices include:
Wheat Germ Oil: Often hailed for its skin-repairing qualities, vitamin E oil can help nourish scar tissue and promote healing.
Sesame Oil: sesame oil is an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory, and doesn’t clog pores.
Coconut Oil: Rich in fatty acids, coconut oil provides excellent hydration and has antimicrobial properties that can support healing.
Jojoba Oil: Known for its similarity to skin’s natural sebum, jojoba oil is easily absorbed and helps balance moisture levels, making it ideal for scar care.
In an NRT session, we can test which oil your body will respond best to.
How to Apply Oils to Scars
While the most important thing is to simply get the oil on the scar daily, the following steps help make the most of the practice
Choose an oil that is best for you. The best oil is an oil that you apply regularly. But if you want to get the most benefit for your effort, we can test your body to determine the oil that will work best for you.
Apply gentle pressure and massage the area gently to help absorption and to stimulate healing in the area.
Consistency over perfection: For optimal results, incorporate oil application into your daily skincare routine. Consistency is essential for supporting long-term healing.
Conclusion
Oiling scars is a simple yet powerful practice that can significantly enhance the healing process and support overall skin health. By incorporating natural oils into your scar care routine, you improve energy flow through your body, nourish the skin, improve the appearance of scars, and provide comfort to areas that have endured trauma.