Medicated Creams or Gels
Over-the-counter skin medications such as creams or gels can help. If your scar is itchy or sensitive, antihistamine cream may stop the itch while helping your scar heal. Corticosteroid cream can help prevent scarring and has been shown to reduce the appearance of scars over time.
All our experts recommend using silicone-based patches (called sheeting) or gels (more on those to come) to treat scars in the early stages of formation. “Silicone sheets are very effective in treating scars, providing an optimal dressing for helping scars heal,” says Karp.
In general, keeping a hypertrophic or keloid scar moist will help to alleviate symptoms. Any topical moisturizer (Eucerin®, aloe vera, Vaseline®, mineral oil, etc.) applied several times each day is recommended. Also, Benadryl® or other over the counter antihistamines may improve itching and discomfort.
Silicone gel (sheet or ointment): Used since 1982, silicone can: Treat a raised scar by reducing its size, hardness, redness, swelling, itch, or stiffness. Prevent a raised scar, especially after surgery. Prevent a scar from developing after surgery to remove the scar.
Bio-Oil helps to improve the appearance of new or old scars; whether from surgery, accidents, burns, insect bites, scratches or conditions such as acne or chickenpox. Although younger scars will have a greater chance of improvement, studies have shown that older scars also benefit from regular use of Bio-Oil.
Caring for Scars
One tip for taking care of scars is to use a topical ointment. Cocoa butter cream and Vaseline are most often used to help reduce the appearance of scars. Applying the ointment daily will help heal scars but will not make them invisible. Another tip for caring for your scars includes surgery.
To help your scar mature it is recommended that you massage and moisturise your scar. Please refer to the handout titled 'Scar management – Massage and moisturising'. All scars should be monitored carefully and if your scar becomes a problem contact your doctor or occupational therapist.
Does vitamin E diminish scars? While vitamin E may help moisturize the skin, research indicates that vitamin E oils and supplements have no notable effect on scars. Vitamin E has a wide range of benefits, including keeping the eyes healthy and strengthening the immune system.
If the incision has been closed with absorbable sutures and Steri-Strips, scar treatment can begin about two weeks later after the Steri-Strips have been removed if the incision is completely healed.
Excessive pulling or tension across a healing wound is increasingly implicated as a factor which may increase inflammation and scar formation. An environmental factor that clearly has an effect on the appearance on skin scarring is sunlight exposure.
Long periods underwater or exposure to running water can make the scabs or softened new skin fall off. This prolongs the healing process. Immersion in cold water for more than a minute or two slows down blood flow, which in turn slows down scar healing.
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil is non-irritating and suitable for sensitive skin. Bio-Oil Skincare Oil should be massaged in a circular motion into scars (avoiding broken skin), twice daily, for a minimum of 3 months. Results will vary from individual to individual.
You could start seeing results from consistent Bio-Oil application in as little as 4 weeks, though should continue to use the product for the recommended time specified above - that is 3 months minimum for most conditions, in order to truly see the effect of the product.
Use a non-perfumed moisturising cream such as E45 cream or aqueous cream to moisturise the skin surrounding your scar twice a day. Avoid picking or scratching your scar. Keep clothes loose around your scar to avoid tension or friction which may irritate it.
Don't Pick at the Wound
In addition to picking, refrain from scratching or manipulating wounds or newly formed scabs. “Picking at wounds during the healing process leads to increased inflammation and scarring,” Salyards says. It can also increase the risk of infection from bacteria on your hands.
Wet or moist treatment of wounds has been shown to promote re-epithelialization and result in reduced scar formation, as compared to treatment in a dry environment. The inflammatory reaction is reduced in the wet environment, thereby limiting injury progression.
Continue applying Vaseline or Aquaphor for 2-3 weeks after suture removal. AVOID antibiotics ointment as they may cause a rash or itching. 2. To ensure the best results, disturbing the wound(s) should be kept at a minimum.
Step 2 - Silicone
Stay away from brand name scar creams. Unless they have silicone in them, they probably don't work any better than vaseline, because anything that moisturizes a scar is likely going to improve the scar's appearance.
BioCorneum® Scar Gel is the first and only quick drying silicone gel scar cream with SPF30 sunscreen that is approved by the FDA. This scar cream is an important part of our post-surgery scar care regimen, and we recommend it for most patients who have surgery or injuries in exposed areas such as the face.