Scar Management
Scars form as a normal part of healing when the skin is damaged from a burn, trauma, or surgery. Everyone forms different scars.
It can take up to 18 months for scars to heal completely. It will take at least 6 to 8 weeks after surgery or injury for you to start to see a difference in your scar. At this time, scars begin to change from a thick, red, raised scar to a thin, flat, white scar.
It is important to use scar management techniques on your scar. This will help to make the scar more flat, smooth and flexible. The more flat, smooth and flexible a scar is the less painful and noticeable it is.
Home scar management techniques are: Scar massage and application sunblock SPF 60 or greater when outside.
Scar Massage Technique
- After your sutures have been taken out or dissolved, your doctor will inform you when it is time to start scar massage. This usually occurs 3 weeks after surgery, after the scab on the incision has fallen off.
- For the first 2 to 4 weeks you should gently rub the incision for 5 minutes 5 times daily a long the same direction as the scar. You must use enough pressure to change the color of the incision from pink to white temporarily.
- After about 4 weeks, you can begin to massage the scar using different oils and moisturizers, such as vitamin E oil, gels such as aloe vera, and lotions, such as Eucerine®, Aquaphor®, or Aveeno baby®, are moisturizing and can be used to help soften the scar and make scar massage. Avoid using lotions with strong fragrances.