How to Minimize Scars
Through life a person can accumulate their fair share of scrapes and cuts. These scrapes and cuts can turn to scars, which can be unsightly and embarrassing. There are remedies that can minimize the effects of scarring.
Instructions
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Consult with a dermatologist to determine the severity of the scarring. With some deep scarring, the best remedy is plastic surgery. But surgery should be considered the last option.
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Hide the scarring with makeup. This option is geared more towards women, but it is the least invasive way to conceal scarring.
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Apply silicon strips or ointment to the scar. This isfor newly-formed scars. There are strips and ointments available in various applicable forms. Applied early enough, silicone can help flatten the scar and reduce the redness.
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Massage the affected area. Massaging the scarred area can break up the scar tissue and leave the scarring less noticeable. Be sure to massage gently.
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Treat the area with laser therapy. This is a more aggressive treatment and can be expensive. Pulsed dye, Erbium-Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet and intense, pulsed light lasers are the main laser treatments for scarring.
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Inquire about microdermabrasion therapy. This is for scars that are at least 2 months old. The skin takes a few days to recover from this procedure. This is another plan of action that can be expensive, but it has had good results.
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Seek treatment immediately after a cut or wound occurs. The quicker a cut is attended, the better the chance of minimizing the scarring. Cleanse the area with hydrogen peroxide or another cleanser. Keep the wound moist with an antibiotic ointment while it heals.
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Clean the wound or cut gently. If the area is treated too roughly, it can worsen the problem and create a more noticeable scar.
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Keep the wound or cut closed with a butterfly bandage. This closes the skin and keeps a scar from widening.
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Coat the scarred area with sunblock. Scar are need more protection than the rest of the skin since they burn more easily. Repeated sunburn will make the scar more noticeable over time.
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Tips & Warnings
As with any medical treatment, please consult a physician before undertaking any treatment.
