As summer starts to come to an end and we are enjoying as much of that warm breeze, late nights and ice cream trips, we suddenly realize we are covered in bug bites, simply wondering… will they scar?
I’ve had itchy mosquito bites that left their marks on my arms and legs long after the bite itself is gone. So much for sleek, tanned legs when you’re wearing your favorite sun dress or elegant sleeveless top. The worst part: the spots linger all summer long and sometimes even stay until the next year!
So, I thought I would share my approach to getting rid of mosquito bite scars quickly. If you’re lucky enough not to have had one yet, then I’ll share some tips on how to prevent the bites from scarring in the first place.
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Interestingly, not only does the size of the bite matter but, your immune system plays a part on how long the mosquito bites and scars will last. Some people notice their bites last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. And yes, the more you scratch it, the longer it will stay on your body, so please stop scratching.
The pigment of your skin also matters. People who fall around 4 on the Fitzpatrick scale (a metric from 1-6, used to measure how much pigment is in your skin), are prone to overproduction or irregular dispersion of pigment when inflamed by bug bites, scratching, or picking.
When you get those pesky little bug bites, try your hardest not to itch or scratch the area. I know it’s difficult but that really is the first step you can take. Otherwise, my two favorite natural remedies that can prevent the spots from becoming deep, dark, and difficult to remove are:
If you are a candidiate for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), look for creams with vitamin C, E, or niacinamide. You can also use a deodorant on your bug bites, yes, you read right. I know it sounds odd to put deodorant on bug bite scars, but I created a special niacinamide deodorant and body balm that can be used for any dark spot pigmentation on the body. You can use it on bug bites, acne, or any other hyperpigmentation scars. The ingredients that are in the deodorant will target that pigmentation issue, while also tackling odor, a bonus if you’re dealing with the issue under your arms.
If you are happy with your current deodorant and just want an easy way to work on the pigmentation, kojic acid has been used for centuries in Asia as a lightening ingredient. Yes, even a wash-off kojic acid soap that can be used in the shower and left on the scar for 30 seconds each day will deliver results on lightening the pigmentation anywhere on your body (except in the vaginal area).
Make sure not to skip out on sunscreen! Apply SPF 30 sunscreen on areas exposed to the sun after any of your brightening treatments (and on a daily basis regardless).
Whatever your skin type may be, mosquito bites and scars don’t have to linger all summer long. Use these steps to stop inflammation and brightening the skin around the affected areas can be as simple as the right bar of soap.
If you liked learning more about skincare ingredients and which ones are best for you, check out my blog The Little Book of Human Discomforts each week. I share clever solutions for seemingly embarrassing skin, body, and hair issues on a weekly basis. Subscribe below to be the first to know about new content. You can also find more body and skincare tips on Instagram @kaianaturals and on my TikTok page @madamesweat.
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