I often joke with people that I could rub up against a feather and it would cause my skin to scar. When confronted with even the slightest trauma, my scar-prone skin is guaranteed to experience hyper-pigmentation. I've found in recent years that the skin on my body is unusually and significantly more sensitive than that of my face.
Because of that, my experience with scar-fading creams has been a saga that dates back more than a full decade. However, as a woman of color, I'd had it with products that fade the natural pigment of my skin. That all changed when I finally started using one magical oil that's completely changed the way I view scars, stretch marks, and basically any other blemish on my body.
I remember the moment I began stress itching like it was yesterday. It was my first semester of my last year in college, and I was up to my neck in schoolwork. While studying at a friend's house, my legs began itching uncontrollably. At the time I figured it was nothing, but it definitely wasn't.
I thought at the time that it might have been an allergy, but after seeing an allergist who couldn't find anything, stress was ruled the culprit.
Six months later, my legs were almost completely covered in dark marks from my excessive stress itching. I was panicked. Summer was on the way, and all I could picture was having to weather the warmer months with my scar-ridden legs out.
It wasn't something I had paid a lot of attention to during the winter. However, the season for shorts and sundresses was approaching, and I was completely unprepared.
For a long time, I felt like people were staring at my legs everywhere I went. Some of it was just in my head, but my scars and hyper-pigmentation were so noticeable that there's no doubt in my mind others noticed them too.
For Instagram photos, I'd even edit out the scars that made me so self-conscious.
The spring break of my senior year was a bumpy ride.
The desperation to rid my legs of marks had become urgent for my self-esteem. In my frantic search for more effective scar-fading products, I came across Bio-Oil.
Bio-Oil, by the way, is a multipurpose face and body oil you can find at most drugstores for $10–$15. Kim Kardashian claims it completely eliminated her stretch marks.
At that point, I was an avid user of coconut oil paired with a fading spot treatment, but I wasn't getting the results I wanted.
Additionally, I feared the spot treatment would lighten the skin around my scars, which was a hell no for me.
Ready to try anything at that point, I leaped at Bio-Oil. It's a combination of plant extracts and vitamins blended in an oil base. The magic ingredient, PurCellin oil, claims to change the product's consistency so it's light and non-greasy.
Therefore, all of the nutrients fully absorb into the skin rather than sitting on the surface and ruining your bedsheets.
Along with the PurCellin, Bio-Oil also contains calendula, lavender, rosemary, and chamomile oils, all perfectly blended to create this miracle in a bottle.
The oil's instructions suggest you massage it into targeted areas in a circular motion twice daily for a minimum of three months on healed skin only.
Don't use this oil on fresh cuts!
I followed those instructions to a tee, and within a month I noticed a difference. I applied it on my legs from top to bottom every morning right out of the shower, while my pores were still open, and just before I went to bed.
Now, almost a year of consistent Bio-Oil use later, all my scars are just about gone. And I've started applying it on my entire body when I hop out of the shower just because it leaves my skin so soft. I no longer have to cover my legs in foundation or turn to editing apps when I wear short clothing.
Who knew a drugstore oil could have such an effect not only on my skin, but also on my confidence.
Scars aren't a big deal for everyone, but if yours are getting you down, you're going to want to try Bio-Oil.
