You can't always avoid scar tissue formation, unfortunately. The best you can do is properly care for your skin wounds to minimize the risk of scarring. Scar tissue naturally occurs during the healing process when it's needed to fully heal a superficial injury. Cuts, scrapes, tears, burns, inflammation, acne and other skin problems sometimes lead to scarring. If scar tissue that does form is particularly problematic for you, concealing agents, pressure therapy, topical applications and certain cosmetic dermatological procedures can often minimize their appearance.
Step 1
Hold a clean towel over the injury and press down with moderate pressure to stop bleeding. Wash the surrounding skin with warm water and an antibacterial soap, then coat the area with a topical antibiotic. Put on a new bandage twice daily, and whenever the current one gets dirty or wet, reapplying the topical antibiotic each time.
Step 2
Refrain from scratching or picking at irritations or wounds. Wait for scabs to fall off on their own accord. Keep your fingernails trimmed if you mindlessly scratch or scratch in your sleep. Do not squeeze or pop acne.
Step 3
Make whole grains, lean protein, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, nuts and unsaturated fats the bulk of your diet to be healthier overall, which will make your skin healthier. Eat orange, yellow and red fruits and vegetables, as well as fish and shellfish, for vitamin A, which is particularly beneficial for the skin, notes the Science Daily website.
Tips and Warnings
- Hold first-degree burns that affect only the top layer of skin and small second-degree burns that affect the underlying layer under cool water for 15 minutes. Don't use cold water or ice. Keep the burn covered with gauze or a bandage until the resulting blister heals. Refrain from popping or picking at the blister. When trying to stop a skin laceration's bleeding, apply continuous pressure for up to 20 minutes without constantly removing the towel to see if the bleeding stopped, which interferes with clotting. If blood spurts or doesn't stop with half an hour of continuous pressure, seek medical attention right away.
- Get medical attention for a skin laceration that has jagged edges, that gapes open or that is more than 1/4-inch deep. Such wounds require stitches to avoid, or at least minimize, scar tissue formation. Keep the wound together with butterfly bandages until you're treated. Seek emergency medical attention for third-degree burns that affect all layers of skin and underlying tissue, fat, muscle or bone. Do the same for first- or second-degree burns affecting your face, hands, feet, buttocks, groin or skin over a major joint, and for a second-degree burn that covers more than a 3-inch area. Follow all prescribed treatment procedures. Some scarring is likely, and unavoidable with third-degree burns.
Things You'll Need
- Towel
- Antibacterial soap
- Topical antibiotic
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