After an injury or surgery, your skin will form a scar, which is part of the natural healing process. Healing time can vary depending on the cause of the scar, how visible the scar is, and how you care for your skin after the injury.
1. What wounds can cause scarring?
Scarring is a natural part of the healing process when your skin is injured. A scar is a mark left by a healed wound. Scars will usually grow over time and most minor scars will go away. However, depending on the cause or location of the injury, the scar can become more visible and become a hypertrophic or keloid scar.
Scars can be caused by common marks from: trauma, surgery, burns, acne.
2. How long does it take for the scar to heal?
Scars can take years to heal and may never go away completely. However, over time, small scars can fade and flatten on their own. Scars that are deeper, more prominent, or redder may require a little extra help to care for and reduce their appearance.
3. When should scar medicine be applied?
Do not rush to take care of the scar immediately after you have been injured. First, take good care of the wound and wait until the skin is completely healed before applying any scar products. You should never use a topical scar cream on an open wound. Proper care is always the first step to help prevent or minimize scarring. If you're not sure if your mark is an actual scar (for example, you don't remember any events or conditions that may have led to the scarring), don't hesitate to talk to your dermatologist about it. this problem.
- Surgical wound/scar: In the case of a skin injury, you should always wait until the newly formed skin has completely healed and if there is a scab, wait until the scab falls off. There may be no scabs at the surgical incisions, but wait until the incision is completely healed before applying topical scar care. As the wound is healing, keep the wound moist to help prevent scabs from forming and to help shorten healing time. If the wound is scaly, do not pry it, as this may open the wound again, thereby slowing healing time and possibly leading to more scarring. Once there are no more scabs and the wound is clearly closed (meaning the skin has healed), you can start caring for the scar with a topical cream or oil. You will need different scar care at each stage of scar healing for best results and to maintain your skin health. Be gentle when applying any scar care product at first, as the new layer of skin may not be strong enough to withstand too much pressure. After 2 weeks from the injury, your skin should be healthy enough to start massaging the scar. Scar massage has been shown to increase the effectiveness of scar care and may help prevent the development of hypertrophic or keloid scars by depleting excessive collagen. Take care of your scar for at least 6 to 8 weeks for best results.
- Burn scars: Depending on the severity of the burn and its extent, it can take a long time to fully heal. Remember that most scar creams and lotions are not intended for open burn wounds, but for healed burn scars. After the healing process is complete, it is best to take care of the scar as soon as possible to prevent the formation of a spastic scar. As with any scar, do not apply any scar care products before the minor burn has completely healed. If your burn leaves scars, caring for the burn with a specialized cream or oil can improve its appearance and texture by helping the burn look softer and smoother. This process takes about 2 weeks. Burn scars are especially sensitive to sunlight, so it's best to cover them up when outdoors. When this is not possible, be sure to apply a sunscreen with the right SPF to protect your scars and skin.
- Acne Scars: As stated earlier, scar care should not begin on an open wound. In the case of acne, you should wait until the acne is no longer active. After the acne clears up, you can start applying scar care products. Do not pick or pop pimples as they have the potential to burst, disrupting the skin barrier and delaying scar healing. In short, take care of your acne before trying to take care of scars. This can help prevent scarring in the first place. Once your wound has closed and your skin has healed, don't waste time and start applying your chosen scar care method. By doing so, you will increase your chances of fading the scar.
In summary, when caring for a scar, it's best to start the healing process as soon as possible, but always make sure to wait until the initial wound has fully healed. Avoid applying scar medication to open wounds. Once the skin has healed, you can begin to increase your scar care to help reduce redness and scarring.