Surgery is a big deal, and there’s no doubt about it. But if you’re going to have surgery, wouldn’t it be nice if you could have one with as little scarring as possible? The truth is that the best way to avoid scarring after surgery isn’t by taking special vitamins or supplements (though these can help!). It’s by using the right skincare products before, during and after your procedure.
In this post, we’ll go over some of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of scarring after surgery—all from the comfort of your home!
You must keep the wound clean.
After your procedure, you must keep the area around your wound clean. When it comes to keeping a wound free of infection and scarring, there are two factors at play:
- 1. The first is cleaning—the more thoroughly you clean the area around your incision, the less chance of infection.
- 2. The second is moisturizing—if you don’t keep moisture out of the wound bed (the part of the skin where the incision was made), it can cause scabbing and other types of scars.
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Don’t smoke or drink alcohol
It’s not just the surgery itself that can cause unwanted scars. Smoking, alcohol, and other lifestyle factors can also lead to unsightly marks on your skin. Here are some ways to reduce your risk of scarring after surgery:
- 1. Smoking and drinking alcohol can affect healing by causing bleeding or poor blood flow, slowing the healing process.
- 2. Smoking and alcohol can cause infections that delay wounding healing or increase the likelihood of infection in general.
- 3. A person who smokes may heal more slowly than someone who does not smoke because nicotine reduces oxygen flow through capillaries (tiny blood vessels) that carry oxygen to tissues, including wounds under repair.
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Avoid the Sun
Avoid the sun.
For at least six months after surgery, avoid direct exposure to sunlight and use sunscreen when you are out in the sun. Avoid tanning beds as well. If you have had a skin graft or flap of skin from another part of your body, avoid using steroids on that area for at least 6 months.
Take steps to protect yourself from the sun: wear a hat, umbrella and sunglasses; go inside if you can during peak hours (between 10 am and 2 pm); apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ often; wear protective clothing such as long sleeves or pants, and wear light-coloured clothes that reflect light away from the skin rather than allowing it to penetrate through darker colours like blue jeans or black t-shirts.
Cleanse the wound carefully
- Cleanse the wound carefully.
When you return home after surgery, keeping the incision clean and dry is important. The best way to do this is by using a mild soap and water or an antibacterial ointment on your stitches. Be sure you are gentle when cleaning; do not rub or scrub the area too hard because this could lead to irritation or infection. When washing your wound, use a soft cloth and avoid getting water into the incision itself since doing so can increase the risk of scarring. Remember that excess moisture around your incision may also cause swelling in surrounding tissue; if possible, try not to move around too much so as not to cause unnecessary stress on those tissues (and therefore increase inflammation).
- Avoid constipation – use laxatives if needed.
If you find yourself constipated after surgery (or if it becomes necessary due to pain medications), talk with your doctor about what medications might help ease these symptoms without causing side effects like nausea or dizziness. It’s also important during recovery from any type of procedure—including cosmetic procedures like laser resurfacing—to maintain regular bowel movements following surgery for healing processes within our bodies that rely upon proper digestion to continue unimpeded.
After surgery, you will be bandaged, and this must be changed regularly as per your doctor’s instructions.
During the first week, you will be bandaged, and this must be changed regularly as per your doctor’s instructions. The bandages should be loose enough to allow good drainage so that they don’t become wet or dirty. They should never be too tight, or they could cause pain or further damage to the skin. When changing dressings:
- 1. Remove old dressings carefully by cutting them away from the body with surgical scissors.
- 2. Cleanse wounds thoroughly with soap and water (or preferably sterile saline) before applying new dressings if there is any discharge from the injured area(s) that cannot be contained within the pocket(s). Avoid getting any soiled solution into deeper layers of tissue; see below for detailed cleaning instructions when needed
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Once the scar has healed, don’t pick at it. This may cause infection and/or re-open the wound.
Once the scar has healed, don’t pick at it. This may cause infection and/or re-open the wound.
Don’t pick at scabs. They form to protect the healing skin underneath, and breaking them off can lead to infection or further damage to your skin, as well as causing bleeding that may look worse than before you picked.
Don’t pull on stitches – they will dissolve by themselves over time but pulling on them could cause skin injury and infection or scarring in addition to discomfort for you both during this period (and for me afterwards).
Don’t pull on damaged tissue with your fingers or tweezers in an attempt to remove hairs that have gone into the surgical site (a very common occurrence after surgery) – this can lead to more scarring through poor healing of those areas due to trauma caused by pulling out hair, plus it hurts like crazy!!!
If you have stitches, have them removed on time to avoid scarring
If you have stitches, it’s important to ensure they are removed on time. The average time for stitches to be removed is 7-10 days after surgery. If you have to wait longer than 10 days, consult your doctor; in rare cases, it may be necessary to keep the stitches in longer.
If you remove the stitches too early, you may cause scarring and infection at the site of removal (because there wasn’t enough time for that area of skin to heal). If this happens, return to your surgeon for treatment as soon as possible.
Consult your physician if you notice any redness, swelling or heat around the surgical area. It could indicate an infection that can lead to scarring.
Consult your physician if you notice any redness, swelling or heat around the surgical area. It could indicate an infection that can lead to scarring.
It’s important to take care of yourself after surgery. If you don’t follow through with proper self-care, it could cause the tissue to heal improperly and leave you with a scar. In this case, it is best to see a doctor immediately so they can treat the problem as soon as possible.
Keep your surgeon informed of any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, as these may affect healing and cause bad scars if they interfere with clotting.
One of the most common causes of scarring is bleeding under the skin, which can happen when you take certain medications. These medications include over-the-counter drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen and supplements like fish oil.
Suppose you are taking any of these medications or supplements prior to surgery. In that case, it’s important to inform your surgeon so they can help you find an alternative painkiller that doesn’t prevent clotting. If your doctor isn’t aware that you’re taking something that could interfere with wound healing and cause bad scars if left untreated, he or she may not give you the proper treatment for this complication.
Follow all aftercare instructions from your physician exactly as directed to avoid complications that could lead to scarring.
To reduce your risk of scarring, it’s important to follow all aftercare instructions from your physician exactly as directed. This includes:
- 1. Following any medication regimen that is prescribed for you
- 2. Not smoking or drinking alcohol during the healing process.
- 3. Avoiding exposure to the sun, including tanning beds, until your doctor gives the okay
- 4. Keeping wounds clean and dry and covered with a bandage or gauze dressing as directed by your physician
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Also, be sure not to pick at any scabs or open wounds, which can increase the likelihood of scarring.
Following these steps will give you a better chance of comfort during recovery without ugly scars.
- 1. If you are planning surgery, talk to your doctor about the option of getting stitches instead of staples or glue. Stitches take longer to heal and leave scars, but they can be removed at home.
- 2. If you’re going to get stitches or staples, ask if they can be removed early so that they don’t cause as much scarring.
- 3. When your doctor removes sutures from minor cuts and scrapes, use an antibiotic ointment on them for several days afterwards (and keep them covered with a bandage). This will help prevent infection and promote healing without scarring (although it won’t remove existing scars).
- 4. If your doctor recommends applying pressure over the wound with gauze pads for several days after surgery, do so before going through airport security because this may trigger an x-ray machine which could hurt your hand/arm/leg/foot/whatever was operated on. On!.
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Conclusion
We hope this article was helpful. Remember, these are just tips and guidelines. Your scar healing process depends on many factors, including how much care you take with your wound and whether you had a minor procedure or something more invasive like breast augmentation or tummy tuck surgery requiring more healing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take for my scar to heal?
It depends on what kind of procedure you had. Most minor surgeries can heal in a few weeks, while scarring after major procedures like breast augmentation or tummy tuck surgery may take up to six months. However, scars still look fresh at this time and won’t be completely healed until about one year later.
How do I care for my scar?
Avoid sun exposure. Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the wound site with a clean bandage after each shower or bath. This will help keep moisture out, which can cause scarring.
When should I see my surgeon again?
You may need to return for a follow-up visit within two weeks of surgery, but most plastic surgeons recommend waiting at least a month.
What can I expect after surgery?
It’s normal to feel sore and stiff for a few days following your procedure. You may also experience some bruising, swelling or numbness around the incision site. Your surgeon will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for your incisions during recovery.
Best way to Reduce Your Risk of Scarring After Surgery?
Following your surgeon’s instructions is the best way to reduce your risk of scarring after surgery. This includes keeping the incision area clean and dry, using ointments or creams prescribed by your doctor and avoiding heavy lifting for several weeks after surgery.
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