All wounds and surgeries result in scars as part of the body’s natural healing process. The maturation of scars can take up to 2 years. Once the wound has healed, specific treatments can improve the appearance of the scar and prevent it from adhering to underlying structures.

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General Scar Care

1. Wound Hygiene: Keep your wound clean to prevent infections, which can exacerbate scarring. Proper wound care reduces infection risks and supports optimal healing conditions.

2. Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy diet and avoid smoking to promote better wound healing and scar formation. Nutritional support and avoiding harmful habits like smoking enhance tissue repair and reduce complications.

3. Monitor Scars: Watch for signs of problem scars, such as redness, enlargement or being raised, itching, or pain, especially in the first three months. Early identification of exuberant/excessive scarring can facilitate timely intervention.

 

Moisturizing

1. Regular Application: Scar tissue loses moisture faster than normal skin. Regularly moisturizing reduces itching and prevents cracking. Keeping the scar hydrated is useful for maintaining skin elasticity and barrier function.

2. Recommended Products: Use unperfumed thicker creams or ointments. These products provide effective hydration without irritating the scar tissue.

 

Sun Protection

1. Avoid Sun Exposure: Newly healed scars should be protected from the sun to prevent pigmentation changes. UV radiation can darken scars, making them more noticeable.

2. Use Sunscreen: Apply a high SPF (50+) sunscreen on the scar whenever exposed to the sun. Sunscreen helps shield the scar from harmful UV rays, minimizing discoloration.

3. Protective Clothing: Wear protective clothing, hats, or other accessories to cover scars. Physical barriers provide additional protection against UV exposure.

 

Exercise and Stretching

1. Exercise and stretch the area of wounding/scarring only after the wound has healed and closed completely.

2. In the first month, avoid stretching the new scar.

3. Maintain Movement at joints: For scars at the joints, regular exercise and stretching helps maintain joint movement. Physical activity supports flexibility and prevents contractures around joints.

 

Problem Scars

1. Identification: A scar may be problematic if it is red, raised, itchy, painful, or restricts movement. Hypertrophic and keloid scars are most common types of excessive scarring. Recognizing these signs early is important for instituting early intervention.

2. Risk Factors: Higher risk includes having certain skin types (e.g., Mediterranean, Asian, African), delayed wound healing, or a history of problematic scars. Preventive strategies can be instituted especially for people at risk of problematic scarring.

3. Prevention: Application of the BioRNA Micro-Tips antiscar patch in new scars (after stitches were removed) has been shown to result in flatter scars. If unavailable, silicone gel sheets may be applied.

4. Early Intervention: Contact your doctor or occupational therapist when signs of a problem scar occur. Treatment may be instituted, such as injection of steroids into keloids.

 

Always consult with healthcare professionals before starting any new treatments to ensure they are appropriate for your specific situation.