How to Prevent Scarring

Scars from acne, abrasions and surgery are difficult to prevent and don't fade immediately. However, if you start your battle plan soon after the injury you can lessen the severity of most scars.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vitamin E oil
• Exfoliating products
• Silicone sheets
• Antibacterial soaps
• Sunscreen
• AHA products

1. Consult your physician about how aggressive to be in managing any wound and ask about the likelihood of scarring.

2. Let your skin breathe. When damage to skin is new, do not aggravate it by putting anything such as bandages or ointment on the area.

3. Use an antibacterial soap to make sure the skin stays clean after the injury.

4. Avoid letting direct sunlight shine on the damaged area.

5. Apply a small amount of aloe vera to the area daily as the wound is healing.

6. Once the damaged area has healed and you are left with a scar, put vitamin E oil on the scarred area every night.

7. Apply a light moisturizer with sunscreen to the area every morning.

8. Talk to your dermatologist about using AHAs (alpha-hydroxyl acids).

9. Exfoliate the area very gently. This should only be done after the skin is completely healed.

10. For a thick, raised scar, try using silicone sheets. The silicone encourages hydration and softening of the scar. Wear sheet for a prolonged period of time to reduce the raised nature of the scar.

11. Talk to your dermatologist about acid peels or laser resurfacing for severe acne scars.

Tips & Warnings

• Raised acne scars also respond to silicone sheets. You can wear the sheets at night, if desired.
• Prevent acne scars by keeping hands and nails away from blemishes.
• Silicone sheets may cause sweat rashes or irritation.
• Pregnant women and women trying to conceive should avoid vitamin A products, as they may cause birth defects.
• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a health care professional. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[drchrysopoulo]

on 11/5/2009 This is a well-written and informative article. However, I have to respectfully disagree on your point about topical vitamin E.

While topical vitamin E can work well as part of an anti-aging skin regimen because of it's anti free-radical effects, there is no scientific evidence that it improves scar appearance - clinical studies sho no improvement in scar healing or cosmetic scar appearance. Furthermore, studies also show that topical vitamin E can cause contact dermatitis in up to 33% of users.

The studies on topical vitamin E as a scar treatment can be found here: http://www.inviciblescars.com/vitamin-e-scars.html

Dr C

[sweetmlsa]

on 1/26/2009 I would rate this article as having some good sound advice.

on 7/29/2006 I had picked at very deep blemishes on my cheeks, chin, and just below my mouth. The breakouts seem to come from stress, spicy food, lack of sleep, and hormones. I'm sure everyone here can relate.

I went to the store and picked up the following:
1. Cetophil (Gentle Cleansing Bar for Dry/Sensitive Skin)
2. Clean & Clear Sensitive Skin (Deep Cleaning Astringent)
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
4. Neosporin + pain relief (Cream)
5. Vitamin E (400 I.U.) Soft Gel (Hard ones won't work)
6. 2 Gallons of bottled water (going to attempt to drink it all in a few days).

What I did:
I got home and drank a glass of water.
I washed my face with the (1.) Cetaphil with warm water.
Then applied the (2.) Clean & Clear deep cleaning astringent to a square cotton pad and proceeded to wipe clean the rest of my face.
Since I had picked open the war wounds (like an idiot) I took the bottle of (3.) hydrogen peroxide and held it open on the parts of my face with "freshly" wounded skin. Instantly when I pulled the bottle from my face the places that were wounded began to bubble up and sting.
I let the air settle the (3.) peroxide and repeated again. On extremely troubled spots I repeated several more times (I was on a mission). After the burning stopped I had hoped that I now had a clean face with bacteria that had been zapped to prevent further infection. That is what the red is you know!
I then took the (4.) Neosporin cream and massaged it into the bubbly whitish skin with my clean hands (rewashed them to make sure nothing else was on them).
I let the Neosporin soak in and then took out a safety pin to puncture the (5.)Vitamin E Softgel. I squeezed out the Vitamin E from the gel capsule (yes you can take these orally or use them on cuts or scrapes). I applied a liberal amount to each wound.
Inspired by all of my handy work I attempted to (6.) drink another glass of water and take a (7.) nap to prevent myself from picking or touching my face.

Much to my pleasant surprise when I woke up from the nap the swelling and puffiness had decreased and my face was not nearly as red as it once was before.

Some of the other tips suggested taking Vitamin B6. After reading further into this vitamin, I may add this to the mix.

The suggestions above are for those of you pickers who need some post picking relief!! Try the actual Neosporin brand instead of going with a generic. The store brand of the hydrogen peroxide will do.

on 6/30/2006 Contractubex is the best!

on 6/30/2006 Every injury is a little different. For cuts: Neosporin works great after the initial wound. Remember, keeping a wound bacteria-free speeds healing. Once the wound has closed (sutures have been removed) and the scab has fallen off, topical gels such as vitamin E, aloe vera and Mederma help lessen scarring. The Curad strips help keep the topical gels on the wound and keep it moist, which speeds healing. Vitamin C and zinc taken orally will also help the cut and tissue regeneration.