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Hello! Thanks so much for your question. In my practice, we recommend that patients begin using scar therapy (creams, gels or sheeting) apx 3 weeks post-op or when the incisions are completely closed. Silicone scar therapy products are recommended for the best result.
How soon can I start using scar therapy products?
A: You may treat scars as soon as the wound is closed. It’s typically recommended that you start treating scars after about 2 weeks when the wound is completely closed. You don’t want to run the risk of contaminating the site and therefore causing an infection.
How soon can you treat scars after surgery?
I usually recommend that my patients start using gel or silicone for scars from the second week after surgery. good luck! I recommend using a medical grade scar gel on your incisions at 3 weeks post surgery until the scar becomes pearly white when the scar gel won't help anymore.
When can I start using scar gel on my incisions?
Answer: When do I Start Scar Treatment After a Tummy Tuck? I generally start my patients on scar treatment at about 2-3 weeks after surgery. Once the incisions are fully closed, due to the risk of infection with a small skin opening. Traditionally silicone sheets were recommended, and many physicians still recommend silicone sheeting.
When can I start Scar treatment after a tummy tuck?
When should you start moisturizing a scar?
Between 3 months and 2 years the scar should become paler, flatter and softer and can then be referred to as a 'mature' scar. 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'.
When should I apply scar tissue massage?
If you massage your scar prematurely you could cause it to reopen or tear, leading to an infection. Do not massage a scar until at least 2 weeks after a surgery or injury. Massaging scar tissue is most effective in the first 2 years while the scar is still forming and healing.
When can I start using scar cream after tummy tuck?
Patients can begin to use scar-reducing creams on the tummy tuck incision site as soon as the incisions have healed over and there are no more scabs. Cream should never be applied to an open wound or over skin that is still scabbed. Once the skin has healed over, the scar should appear very thin.
When can I start scar massage after C section?
How to do the massages. Begin about 6 weeks after surgery, as long as incision is well healed. This can be done on your own, at home, for 5 minutes/day. Place fingers 2-3 inches from scar.
Can massaging a scar make it worse?
If a patient massages their scar prematurely it could cause the wound to tear or reopen, risking an infection. It's therefore important to advise them to not begin massaging until the wound is fully healed.
How soon after surgery can I apply scar cream?
Once there is no more scab and the wound is visibly closed, which means that the skin has healed, you can start treating your scar. This is the right time to use Mederma® Scar treatment products!
How soon can I use silicone scar sheets after surgery?
This is a silicone sheet with two adhesive trips provided on a carrier that allows you to place it so that when the carrier is removed, the tension between the adhesive strips is released, and this results in taking tension off of the scar itself. Ideally, it is started about four weeks after surgery.
How long does it take scars to flatten?
Normal fine-line scars A minor wound like a cut will usually heal to leave a raised line, which will gradually fade and flatten over time. This process can take up to 2 years. The scar will not disappear completely and you'll be left with a visible mark or line.
Why does it take so long for a wound to heal?
When the wound has stopped itching or being painful. If the wound from your accident was deep, the damage is likely to be also extensive. The healing process is a very intricate one. As a result, it may take longer for your body to completely close and heal the wound.
What happens if you cut yourself in a car accident?
If you have been involved in a serious car accident, cut yourself deep by a sharp object, burnt yourself or seriously grazed yourself on a rough surface, you will likely end up with some level of skin damage. With or without using any medication, the body starts to repair and heal itself moments later . The end result is a scar.
Can you use scar cream on Amazon?
You may be eager to see your skin return to normal but it is crucial to wait until the scar is totally healed in order to use a scar removing cream. This scar cream on Amazon is very effective at alleviating the appearance of scars. But in order for you to realize good results, they must be used at the right time.
Can scar removal cream cause infection?
This is likely to end up as an infection. By using scar removal cream before your wound stops itching or feeling painful you not only risk having an even larger scar but you’ll also place your life at risk.
Is it ok to use scar removal cream?
The wound may have stopped hurting and you also don’t feel itchy. But when you look at it and notice that it’s still swollen, then it’s not the best time to use scar removal cream. Having a swollen wound means that the body isn’t yet done with the repair and healing process.
Can scars be hidden?
If you’re lucky, you’ll have a scar that is barely visible and one that can easily be hidden. Unfortunately, others may end up with scars that remain quite conspicuous after their incident. This may cause you to feel cautious when the area is exposed.
Can you put lotion on a scab?
It is, therefore, a good idea to wait until the scab has completely peeled itself and when the wound is totally closed for you to apply any lotion, makeup, petroleum jelly or Scar removal cream.
How long does it take for a scar to heal?
Although the initial skin scar may be minimal, the scar will often enlarge and become more reddened over the following 4-6 weeks. An active scar is typically red, raised, firm and thick.
How to treat burn scars?
Burn scars or other more serious injuries can require aggressive treatment. Special gloves or topical treatment may be used for burn scars. Some scars take up to a year to mature.
What is scar tissue?
Scar tissue may involve only the superficial skin, or it may involve the deeper tissues beneath the skin, including nerves and tendons.
How long does silicone gel stay on skin?
Silicone therapy is best used 12-24 hours a day for 3-6 months. Taping/wrapping of the scar can help reduce swelling and tension.
How to make scars move?
Scar massage helps to produce a smooth, moveable scar. You can use any type of over-the-counter cream such as Vaseline, cocoa butter or hand lotion for this. The tissue should be massaged in the direction of the scar for ten minutes twice a day. This is useful for 3-6 months or for as long as it seems to be helping.
How to reduce swelling from scars?
Taping/wrapping of the scar can help reduce swelling and tension. Massage, vibration and rubbing the scars with various textures can help overly sensitive scars. These occur when the nerves in the skin and deeper tissues are affected by the injury or surgery.
What is an active scar?
An active scar is typically red, raised, firm and thick. Sometimes this change can be confused with infection. Also, the outermost layer often loosens while the deeper layers remain intact; this is normal as well.
Types of Scars
There are several types of scars and different treatments depending on the type of scar and how mature the scar is.
Medical Reasons to Treat Scars
It’s perfectly normal to seek treatment for scars because you don’t like the way that they look. However, you may have some medical reasons for scar treatment:
What to Know Before Treatment
Before you embark on treatment for a scar, there are a few helpful things to know:
Home Remedies and Over-the-Counter Scar Treatments
You can try a few home remedies or over-the-counter treatments for scars.
Scar Treatments Provided by a Doctor
If over-the-counter treatments don’t help, or if the scar is particularly large or concerning, seek help from a doctor for your scar. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have many treatment options nowadays, Hruza says. Your doctor will consider several factors to help steer treatment:
Do's and Don'ts of Shopping for Skin Care Products
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Why do I have scars on my face?
Skin scars can develop as a result of an accident, illness or surgery. Whatever the cause, the scars are considered cutaneous stigmas that create an aesthetic and sometimes even functional defect.
What to do after plastic surgery?
After the plastic surgery is finished, the plastic surgeon will put bandages on the incision sites. The surgeon wants to make sure that there are no signs of a potential infection and that the wound will close completely. The surgical sutures will keep the tissues together at the incision site.
Answer: Scar treatment should in general start sooner rather than later
If you had a plastic surgeon perform your breast augmentation properly, the incision should be small and well hidden. It sounds like he/she wants you to allow the incision to heal before trying to manipulate the appearance of it. This is because it takes the body approximately 6 weeks to achieve peak strength in terms of scar/collagen formation.
Answer: When to start using scar treatment after breast augmentation
Thank you for asking about your breast augmentation recovery.Scar treatment will not lead to faster healing.The purpose is to prevent thick scars.Most women don't need any scar treatment - they get flat, fine scars naturally.I recommend using paper tape over the scar for six weeks for support.
Answer: How Soon Should I Start Using Scar Treatment After Breast Augmentation?
I generally recommend following the instructions of your plastic surgeon which is based on his/her procedure and experience. While I don't mind applying scar therapy approximately 2 weeks after surgery and even starting scar massage at that time, each surgeon will be a little bit particular with their protocols.
Answer: Scar Treatment After Breast Augmentation
Thank you for your question. Typically, I recommend patients to start using scar treatments 2 weeks after surgery. However, it is always best to follow the instructions from your certified plastic surgeon as they're guided by your specific surgery.Best Wishes!
Answer: Scar treatment after breast augmentation
Every surgeon will have their individual protocols regarding wound management.
How to treat a scar on your arm?
If you have a scar that is causing pain or is limiting the use of your hand or arm, a hand therapist can help using the following treatments: Scar massage: Normal skin can be lifted and moved in all directions. Massaging the scar helps the scar move the same way as the normal surrounding skin.
What are the factors that determine scar management?
These factors may include the following: How close the scar is to a tendon or muscle: A scar may become adherent to the surrounding tissue such as tendons and/or muscles.
How to get rid of a hypersensitive scar?
Start with something soft you can tolerate like a pillow case. Rub the hypersensitive area for one to two minutes at a time. Work up to more abrasive textures like a washcloth several times per day. Scar goes through various phases as it heals. It may take weeks or months to fully treat your scar.
What type of scars can cause pain?
Type of scar: As skin heals, it shrinks slightly and can cause pain and interfere with motion. Hypertrophic scarring can occur causing scar tissue to form outside the normal borders of the wound. Keloid scarring can also occur which causes a large, raised scar.
What is the shape of a scar?
Shape of the scar: If your scar is from a surgery, it is usually a thin line. If scar is from an accident, it may be irregularly shaped and/or vary in depth which could make it unpleasant for you to look at. Type of scar: As skin heals, it shrinks slightly and can cause pain and interfere with motion. Hypertrophic scarring can occur causing scar ...
How to get rid of scars on face?
Massaging the scar helps the scar move the same way as the normal surrounding skin. Using lotion helps as you massage your scar in circles, side to side, and up and down . This stretches the skin in all directions to reduce the tightness of the skin while it is healing.
Can a hand therapist help with scar tissue?
Scar tissue can become a problem if it limits function and/or is unpleasant to look at. Scar tissue can be treated. A physical or occupational therapist who specializes in treating upp er extremity injuries can help.