Scars tell stories, but that doesn't mean we always want to display them. Whether from surgery, injury, acne, or the minor cuts and scrapes of everyday life, scars can be a source of self-consciousness—especially when they're prominent or located somewhere visible.
The skincare industry offers countless scar treatments, from silicone sheets to vitamin E oils to expensive laser procedures. Results vary widely. Many people find themselves cycling through products without seeing meaningful improvement, eventually accepting their scars as permanent fixtures.
MSM offers a different approach to scar management—not by erasing scars overnight (nothing does that), but by supporting the biological processes that determine how scars form and mature over time.
Understanding How Scars Form
Scars are the end result of your body's wound healing process. When skin is damaged beyond the superficial layers, your body can't simply regenerate the original tissue structure. Instead, it produces collagen in a rapid, somewhat disorganized way to close the wound quickly.
This emergency collagen is structurally different from normal skin collagen. The fibers are aligned parallel rather than in the basket-weave pattern of healthy skin. The result is tissue that's stronger than normal skin in some ways but lacks its flexibility and appearance.
Several factors influence how prominent a scar becomes: the depth and type of injury, genetics, age, nutrition, and importantly—what support the healing tissue receives during the repair process.
The MSM Connection to Scar Formation
MSM influences scarring through several mechanisms relevant to wound healing and tissue remodeling.
Collagen Quality: Your body needs sulfur to produce collagen. The disulfide bonds that give collagen its structure require sulfur-containing amino acids. When adequate sulfur is available during wound healing, the collagen produced may be better organized and more functional.
Inflammation Modulation: Excessive inflammation during wound healing contributes to more prominent scarring. MSM's anti-inflammatory properties may help keep inflammation at functional levels—enough to drive healing but not so much that it causes unnecessary tissue damage and scarring.
Tissue Permeability: MSM can improve cell membrane permeability, potentially helping nutrients reach healing tissue and waste products exit more efficiently. This supports optimal conditions for tissue repair.
Ongoing Remodeling: Scars don't stop changing when the wound closes. Remodeling continues for months or even years, during which collagen is continually broken down and rebuilt. Supporting this remodeling process with adequate sulfur supply can improve scar appearance over time.
What Research Suggests
Direct research on MSM specifically for scar reduction is limited but suggestive. More broadly, studies have examined MSM's effects on wound healing and skin regeneration with positive results.
Research has shown that MSM can support wound healing through its anti-inflammatory effects and by providing sulfur for connective tissue repair. Studies on skin health have demonstrated improvements in skin quality, firmness, and texture with MSM use—all relevant to how scars develop and mature.
The sulfur connection has stronger historical backing. Sulfur-containing compounds have been used in wound care for centuries, and we now understand the biochemical reasons: sulfur is essential for the proteins that form scar tissue and surrounding skin.
Fresh Scars vs. Old Scars
The approach to scar management differs depending on scar age.
Fresh Scars (Less Than 6 Months Old): This is when intervention has the most potential impact. The wound is still healing, collagen is still being deposited and organized, and the scar is still maturing. Supporting this process with adequate sulfur supply, anti-inflammatory support, and overall skin nourishment can influence the final result.
During this phase, consistent application of MSM-containing products to the healing area may help promote better collagen organization and reduce excessive inflammation. Keep the area protected from sun exposure, which can darken scars permanently.
Mature Scars (Over 6 Months Old): Older scars are more challenging because the initial healing is complete. However, scars continue to remodel for years, and supporting this ongoing process can still lead to improvement over time.
With mature scars, expectations should be realistic. MSM can support gradual improvement through continued collagen remodeling, but dramatic changes are unlikely. Consistency over months or longer is necessary to see results.
The Whole-Skin Approach
Here's something important about scar appearance: how the surrounding skin looks affects how noticeable a scar appears.
When surrounding skin is healthy, well-hydrated, and even-toned, scars tend to blend more. When surrounding skin is neglected—dry, rough, uneven—scars stand out more by contrast.
MSM supports not just the scar tissue itself but the entire skin environment. Healthier surrounding skin creates context in which scars are less prominent. This is another reason why consistent, whole-face or whole-body skincare matters for scar management.
The Goat Milk Advantage
Our formulations combine MSM with fresh goat milk, which provides complementary benefits for scar management.
Goat milk's natural lactic acid provides gentle exfoliation, helping turn over the outermost skin cells and supporting the renewal process. For scars, this can help soften the texture and promote more even cell turnover.
The natural fats in goat milk provide deep hydration, keeping scar tissue more supple and less prone to the tight, shiny appearance of dehydrated scars. Hydrated scars are generally less prominent than dry ones.
The pH-balanced nature of goat milk supports healthy skin function around the scar, creating better context for scar healing and appearance.
Realistic Expectations
Let me be direct about what MSM can and cannot do for scars.
MSM will not erase scars. No topical product can. Scars are permanent changes to skin structure, and while their appearance can improve significantly, they don't disappear entirely.
What MSM can do: support better healing during scar formation, promote healthier remodeling of existing scars, and maintain overall skin health that makes scars less prominent in context.
For keloid scars (raised scars that grow beyond the original wound boundaries) or severely contracted scars, professional medical treatment may be necessary. MSM can be a complement to such treatments but isn't a substitute.
Application Strategy
For best results with scar management:
Start Early: If you have a fresh wound or recent scar, begin MSM-containing skincare as soon as the wound has fully closed (not on open wounds).
Be Consistent: Apply daily. Scar remodeling is a slow process, and consistent support yields better results than sporadic application.
Protect from Sun: UV exposure can permanently darken scars. Always protect scarred areas from sun exposure, especially during the first year.
Massage Gently: Gentle massage when applying product can help break up scar tissue adhesions and promote circulation. Don't be aggressive, but don't be afraid to work the product in.
Be Patient: Meaningful improvement in scar appearance takes months. Evaluate progress at 3-month intervals rather than daily.
Our Approach
Our Muscle Cream and Active Cream both contain MSM alongside other supportive ingredients. While they're formulated primarily for active lifestyles and recovery, the MSM content makes them suitable for scar management support.
The formulations absorb well without leaving heavy residue, making them practical for regular application to scarred areas. And because they're made with fresh goat milk from our Washington State farm, they provide the complementary benefits of gentle exfoliation and deep hydration.
We can't promise to erase your scars. What we can offer is support for your skin's natural healing and remodeling processes—giving your body what it needs to do its best work.
