Avoid harsh products like hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, iodine or antibacterial soaps. They can damage skin cells and slow healing. Don't pick at scabs; this can increase the chance of scarring or infection.
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.
Sugar, alcohol, sodium-rich foods, and caffeine should all be avoided or limited while recovering from an injury. Nutrient-dense foods may support the overall healing process and potentially lead to a faster recovery time.
Common causes include diabetes, poor circulation, infection, repeated irritation, and immune system issues or medications that impair healing. Delaying care can lead to chronic wounds, worsening infections, scarring or tissue damage, and missed signs of underlying disease.
Use silicone products
Silicone products, such as silicone sheets and gels, can keep your scar moisturized and help it heal. You can use them under your makeup and clothing.
Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, which can be harmful to healing wounds. The presence of debris, bacteria or other impurities in open skin can trigger infection and extend the inflammation period. Fisher says prolonged inflammation enhances scar formation.
Discover Bio Oil (60ml), both clinically proven to help treat the appearance of stretch marks and scars; and also, thanks to a PurCellin with Vitamin A & Vitamin E blend, is effective at providing greater texture and elasticity to skin.
Treatment for scars
The factors discussed include oxygenation, infection, age and sex hormones, stress, diabetes, obesity, medications, alcoholism, smoking, and nutrition. A better understanding of the influence of these factors on repair may lead to therapeutics that improve wound healing and resolve impaired wounds.
Don't use abrasive or rough washcloths for skin care and wound healing. Don't scratch dry, itching areas. Scratching can cause further skin damage and increase the risk of infection, which can impede the healing process. Don't apply tape of any kind to dry, sensitive, fragile skin.
Excessive caffeine consumption can constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to healing tissues.
Sleep Deprivation Hinders Injury Recovery
The deepest stages of sleep are when growth hormones are released, fueling tissue repair, muscle growth, and cellular regeneration. Without enough restorative sleep, the repair process slows to a crawl, extending recovery time from injury.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and accounts for about 30% of total protein in the body. In the remodeling phase, more collagen is deposited, forming a scar.
Dr. Condie says, “There are numerous factors that impact the body's ability to heal, which means no one will take the same amount of time to recover from an injury to their skin, but there are four main phases of healing that should be expected: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.” Below, Dr.
Moisturizing creams hydrate the skin, reduce itch, soften scars, and prevent water loss—key for healing young or inflamed scars. Regular use supports smoother, more flexible scar tissue with minimal side effects.
Raised (hypertrophic): You can feel a hypertrophic scar when you run your finger over it. These raised scars may get smaller over time, but they never completely flatten out. Unlike keloids, they don't grow or spread beyond the wounded area.
Fresh fruits and vegetables eaten daily will also supply your body with other nutrients essential to wound healing such as vitamin A, copper and zinc. It may help to supplement your diet with extra vitamin C. Keep your wound dressed. Wounds heal faster if they are kept warm.
The 4 C's of wound care, Cleanse, Control, Cover, and Check, are essential steps for promoting healing and preventing complications.
Six signs that your wound is not healing
Anecdotal reports claim that vitamin E speeds wound healing and improves the cosmetic outcome of burns and other wounds. Many lay people use vitamin E on a regular basis to improve the outcome of scars and several physicians recommend topical vitamin E after skin surgery or resurfacing.
Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)
It helps wounds stay hydrated, which can promote healing and reduce the risk of scab formation. This is particularly helpful during the early wound healing phase. However, Vaseline is not specifically formulated to target long-term scar formation.
Ideally, you should begin scar massage about two to three weeks after surgery, once the wound has closed completely and the skin has fully healed. For best results, you should perform scar massage for at least 10 minutes, twice a day, for six months.
At that stage, six weeks after your surgery, I would expect the scar to be beautifully healed. I would be happy for you to start to gently massage the scar, in the line of the incision, with Bio Oil, E45 cream or Nivea cream. This will smooth the scar and can help to desensitise the area.
Lavender and tea tree oil
Essential oils like lavender and tea tree may help reduce inflammation and support your skin as it heals, reducing the risk of scarring.
Use an un-perfumed moisturising cream or lotion (e.g. Aveeno, E45, Nivea, Vaseline Intensive Care, or bio-oil). Massage the scar and any tight or hard areas lying close to the scar. Start with small circles along the length of the scar either with your thumb or first two fingers.