A surgical procedure requires an incision to the body for the surgeon to gain access to the organs and tissues inside. Following surgery, the body begins to repair itself by developing skin tissue known as a scar. Scarring severity varies based on your genetic makeup, age and the scar's location. While some element of scarring will accompany any surgical procedure, there are ways to reduce a surgery scar's appearance.
Step 1
Apply a scar healing cream, such as Mederma, when the incision site has healed enough for a bandage to be removed. Following a surgical incision, the skin begins the healing process of building new tissue to repair the skin. However, scar tissue can grow back as a hard mass of cells. A scar healing cream uses ingredients--such as onion extract, vitamin E or retinol--to soften the skin, making the scar less noticeable. Apply the cream three times a day for several months to reduce the scar as it is developing.
Step 2
Place a silicone sheet bandage over the scar following the application of a scar treatment cream. This self-adhesive bandage aids in wound healing and helps to prevent a scar from developing into a keloid scar--in which scar tissue raises above the skin--or hypertrophic scar--in which the scar tissue depresses underneath the skin. Apply the sheeting for several months--typically the same amount of time as the scar treatment cream.
Step 3
Use a noninvasive cosmetic treatment, such as microdermabrasion or chemical peel to reduce a surgical scar's appearance. These treatments only should be used when the surgical scar has completely healed. Each treatment can be performed at a dermatologist's office or at a spa. These treatments help to reduce the scar's appearance by removing the top layer of skin cells, revealing healthy skin underneath that is smoother in appearance.
Step 4
Undergo laser scar removal, which uses laser light to reshape the scar tissue and reduce scar redness. While this method has proven to be successful in removing surgical scars, it is considered more invasive than other methods and may cause more pain. Several different types of laser treatments are available. For example, a pulsed dye laser scar is used to treat raised scars while laser skin resurfacing can treat scars that are below the skin. A dermatologist can evaluate which laser treatment would be best for your scar.
Tips and Warnings
- The amount of scarring you experience depends upon several factors, including genetics, your ethnicity, age and type of surgery. Before surgery, evaluate the likelihood of post-surgical scarring with your physician.
- While many treatments may be successful in minimizing surgical scarring, it is difficult to completely eliminate a scar.
Things You'll Need
- Scar treatment cream, such as Mederma
- Silicone gel sheeting
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