The growth of scar tissue over wounded skin is a natural part of the healing process. You cannot necessarily keep scar tissue from forming if your skin suffered an injury, inflammation, infection or acne outbreak. However, with proper care and first aid you can minimize both the likelihood and the prominence of scarring. You can reduce the appearance of scars, should they form, with concealers, topical applications, pressure therapy, various cosmetic procedures and other approaches. The ways to help prevent scar tissue formation depends in part on what sort of problem your skin experiences.
Step 1
Care for skin lacerations correctly. Apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. Rinse the wound and wash the surrounding area with soap, but try not to get soap directly in the wound. Dab on a topical antibiotic and cover the wound with a bandage. Change the bandage once or twice a day, and whenever it gets wet or dirty. Reapply the antibiotic when changing the bandage. Keep the wound covered the skin is no longer broken.
Step 2
Get stitches for skin lacerations that are more than 1/4 inch deep or that are gaping or have jagged edges. If fat or muscle protrudes from the wound, it requires stitches. Hold the skin closed with butterfly bandages until you receive medical treatment.
Step 3
Hold skin with minor burns under cool, but not cold, running water for 10 to 15 minutes. Keep it covered with sterile gauze bandages to protect the wound from dirt, bacteria and irritants until the skin is no longer blistered. Seek immediate medical attention for more severe burns.
Step 4
Allow your skin's natural healing process to run its course. Simply keep affected skin clean. Refrain from picking at wounds and resulting scabs. Allow scabs to fall off naturally. Do not pick at or pop acne.
Step 5
Seek treatment from a dermatologist for severe or chronic acne problems to avoid as much acne-related scarring as possible. Instructions in proper skin-cleansing techniques and topical or oral medications can help.
Step 6
Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet for optimal skin health and healing abilities. Consume mostly whole grains, fruit, vegetables, lean protein, unsaturated fats and low-fat dairy. Vitamin A is particularly important for skin maintenance and repair, reports Science Daily, so eat plenty of red, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, as well as seafood. B-complex vitamins and vitamins C and E are also important for skin's health. These can be readily obtained from fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Things You'll Need
- Clean cloth
- Soap
- Topical antibiotic
- Bandages
- Butterfly bandages
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