This article was medically reviewed by R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH and by wikiHow staff writer, Annabelle Reyes. Dr. R. Sonia Batra is a board certified Dermatologist and the Founder of Batra Dermatology based in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Batra specializes in lasers, medical devices, patient and public medical education, and skin cancer research. She received her Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree in Public Health, and her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees from Harvard University. As a Rhodes Scholar, she earned a Master’s degree in Molecular Genetics at the University of Oxford. She completed her residency training in Dermatology at Stanford University. Dr. Batra has contributed and reviewed for the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and JAMA Dermatology. She is also a co-host of CBS’ Emmy award-winning television show, The Doctors.
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Though they’re certainly nothing to be embarrassed of, leg scars may cause you to feel hesitant about exposing your legs. There are many creams, gels, medical procedures, and home remedies that can help reduce the appearance of a scar, and we're here to explain them all, whether the scars are a result of burns, surgery, injuries, chicken pox, acne or insect bites. Read on to find out more!
Things You Should Know
- Use over-the-counter treatments and home remedies such as scar-reducing creams or gels, silicone sheets, vitamin E oil, and aloe.
- Try a medical treatment for best results, such as dermabrasion, chemical peels, laser treatments, dermal fillers, or surgical procedures.
- Keep wounds clean and moist and protect your skin with sunscreen to promote healing and prevent scars from forming.
Steps
How Can I Reduce the Appearance of Injury Scars?
Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan I buy a chemical peel without a note from a doctor?Janice Litza, MDDr. Litza is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician based in Racine, Wisconsin. With over 25 years of educational and professional experience, she has extensive experience providing full-spectrum Family Medicine, including obstetrics, newborn care, and hospital medicine. She is currently the Residency Program Director for Family Medicine at Ascension. Dr. Litza received her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and has completed additional fellowship training in Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona.
Board Certified Family Medicine PhysicianThere are variable strengths of chemical peels. You can buy chemical peels over the counter, but they will be less strong than the ones available in salons, spas, or medical doctor offices. -
QuestionHow can I get rid of scars from constant picking at scabs?Janice Litza, MDDr. Litza is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician based in Racine, Wisconsin. With over 25 years of educational and professional experience, she has extensive experience providing full-spectrum Family Medicine, including obstetrics, newborn care, and hospital medicine. She is currently the Residency Program Director for Family Medicine at Ascension. Dr. Litza received her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and has completed additional fellowship training in Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona.
Board Certified Family Medicine PhysicianYou will need to develop a plan with your doctor to stop the constant irritation that picking does to your skin. You may opt for applying an oil or cream to the area by rubbing, which may alleviate the itching and not create worsening scars and scabs.
Tips
Warnings
- Make sure that you are not allergic to anything before applying it on your entire leg. Try doing a patch test to make sure that you are not allergic.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/scars
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-prevent-scarring
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-treatment
- ↑ R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-treatment
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19804-vitamin-e-cream-or-oil
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19804-vitamin-e-cream-or-oil
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cocoa-butter-benefits
- ↑ https://schoolofba.com/natural-remedies-for-reducing-getting-rid-of-scars/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6330525
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-aloe/art-20362267
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/aloe
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29094366/
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-extra-virgin-olive-oil
- ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cucumber-skin-benefits_n_7645976
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11030-scars#prevention
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8309-dermabrasion
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24670-scar-revision
- ↑ http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/dermatology/chemical_peel_85,P00267/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemical-peel/about/pac-20393473
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11030-scars#prevention
- ↑ R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11030-scars#prevention
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/keloid-scar/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20520902
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24670-scar-revision
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-treatment
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-treatment
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/scars
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/scars
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/wound-care-minimize-scars
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11030-scars#prevention
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-prevent-scarring
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/wound-care-minimize-scars
- ↑ R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-treatment
- ↑ R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-symptoms
About This Article
To remove scars on your legs, exfoliate your legs regularly in the shower with a brush or scrub, which will help your scars fade faster. You can also try applying aloe vera gel or vitamin E oil to the scars on your legs since they both have skin-healing properties. If you're looking for something a little stronger, try using an over-the-counter scar-reducing cream on your scars 3-4 times a day until they fade. To learn how to remove scars on your legs using olive oil, cucumbers, or lemon juice, read on!
Reader Success Stories
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"This article on scar treatment is very well written. I did not know the names of the different kinds of scars, and that was helpful as I read on to find the best treatment for my facial atrophic scarring and the dark spots on my legs."..." more