Healing Skin Injuries and Scarring with Essential Oils
At one time or another, many of us have accidents or surgery that can result in unsightly scars. The same can happen from difficult cases of acne. Even stretch marks from pregnancy or significant weight loss can leave permanent unsmooth textures on the skin. There are few treatments available beyond silicone patches, and these won't work in all cases. If one is looking for a natural means to improve skin appearance as a wound heals, or to smooth old scars or stretch marks, scientific aromatherapy literature provides some formulas that may help.
The Essential Oils
There are a few primary oils used in skin repair; additional oils may be added to your liking (to improve aroma, or add further skin-supportive properties), but here, we'll concentrate just on the commonly used oils for skin damage. First, and possibly most important, is Helichrysum Italicum, also known as Everlasting. This oil with a lovely earthy aroma is distilled from the brightly-colored, daisy-like flowers of a strongly aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean region. Helichrysum is one of the most highly regarded oils in aromatherapy for it's broad range of healing properties for body tissues. It is strongly anti-inflammatory, and has a high concentration of regenerative diketones found only in this oil. It is a bit more expensive due to it's low yield in processing, but produces it's wonderful effects in very small doses.
Helichrysum: The Most Powerful Healer
Helichrysum essential oil is the cornerstone for many blends for healing the skin, and is the only one truly necessary for supporting currently healing skin damage - it should be used at appropriate concentrations with Rosehip Seed, Tamanu and Hazelnut oils, as mentioned later in this article. As noted by well-known aromatherapist Kurt Schnaubelt, "The triple unsaturated fatty acids (of Rosehip Seed oil) strengthen the cell membranes and, combined with the regnerative qualities of Everlasting oil (Helichrysum), heal wounds with minimal or no scarring".
Lavender to Balance and Sooth
Lavender essential oil the most commonly used aromatic oil due to it's pleasant, soothing aroma and broad range of healing effects. Lavender is also included in many skin care blends as it also contains ketone molecules which stimulate tissue regeneration (similar to those in Helichrysum). The specific type of lavender oil is distilled from the flowers of the Lavendula angustifolia species. Lavender, also like helichrsum, is an anti-inflammatory, and is generally thought to bring synergy to essential oil blends, improving the efficacy of any formula.
Sage for Old Scars
The essential oil distilled from common Sage leaves is also used in the healing of scars, particularly old or unsightly scars. It's natural regenerative properties and ability to promote circulation aid in gently breaking down the tough skin resulting from wound healing. Sage oil should only be used in these instances and in small quantities, as it's Thujone content can be toxic in high quantities. If used in a recipe for stretch marks (see below), it should only be used post-partum. Despite it's powerful components, however, when diluted and used with respect, one can use this oil safely.
Stimulating Skin Cell Health with Rosemary
Rosemary will be the final essential oil we'll mention here for scar treatment. For the skin, Rosemary of the Verbenone chemotype has many important properties - it contains regenerative ketone molecules, and stimulates cellular metabolism. This oil helps new skin form, bringing nutrients into the cells and supports the removing toxins and wastes.
Carotenoid Containing Essential Oils Speed Healing
Certain essential oils can offer important nutrient that may speed the healing process. Most importantly, they offer carotenoids and carotenes -- molecules closely related to vitamin A. This vitamin and its precursors are considered very important to normal skin development and wound healing. Carotenoids are also potent antioxidants, which can oxidative compounds at the healing site. Two essential oils can be chosen from: Sea Buckthorn and Carrot Root (sometimes found as 'Helio-Carrot'). These are both Carbon Dioxide extracts with deep red and orange colors, displaying their high carotenoid content.
Tea Tree: Nature's Finest Antiseptic
For wounds that are currently healing, a small amount of an antimicrobial oil can help the process. It can prevent redness and irritation that is the result of your body dealing with bacteria at the sight of the injury. Between 8 and 40 drops of Tea Tree per ounce of your complete formula can be added if you feel a stronger antiseptic action is necessary (Lavender and Rosemary do have moderate antimicrobial properties). A second formula without Tea Tree can be used once the wound is completely sealed.
Proper Dilution with Carrier Oils
The essential oils mentioned here must be diluted in a carrier oil for daily application. In aromatherapy, more is not better! There have been numerous studies showing the great efficacy of essential oils in low concentrations based in seed or nut carrier oils. The two most commonly used base oils for skin care are Rosehip seed and Hazelnut oils. Rosehip seed has many documented uses in skin care, with it's triple-unsaturated fatty acids and it's vitamin A compounds. Rosehip seed has the ability to support tissue regeneration like Retin A, but without the drying or redening side effects. Hazelnut oil is the most well tolerated of all the carrier oils, and with its mild astringent properties, can even be used in cases of very oily skin. It will tend to leave the skin feeling nourished without feeling greasy.
Easy Mixin': Simple Recipes for Common Conditions
For effective wound healing of recent cuts and scrapes (and has been used successfully on surgical incisions), to 1 ounce Tamanu Nut oil (also called Callophyllum) and 1 ounce Rosehip seed oil add 1 milliliter of Helichrysum essential oil, 1 milliliter of Lavender essential oil and either 1 milliliter of Sea Buckthorn or 3 milliliters of Carrot Root CO2 extracts - apply twice a day for 7 to 10 days. For older scars from wounds or acne, including keloid scars, replace the Lavender in the previous recipe with Rosemary essential oil or Sage essential oil (not to be used during pregnancy). Where acne can reoccur, do NOT use Rosehip seed -- instead use Evening Primrose or Hemp Seed oils. Apply regularly for 3 to 6 months. For the healing of stretch marks, post partum, use 1 ounce Rosehip seed and 1 ounce Tamanu or Evening Primrose oil with 1 milliliter Sage essential oil and 2 milliliters with Rosemary Verbenone essential oil; again apply regularly until the marks are no longer visible.
So there is a few effective combinations of natural botanical ingredients that can support certain skin care conditions. Many, many more skin care formulas are available when blending essential oils - with many oils able to aid with very particular situations. If needed, a little research should go a long way in helping you find what you need. And as always with aromatherapy oils, go slowly, pay attention to your body's reactions and remember that increasing concentrations of the essential oils will not make a more effective blend. Be safe and enjoy.
For more, visit Synergy Essential Oils here, or organic herbs here.