How to Fade Cosmetic Surgery Scars

If you've gotten cosmetic surgery, you want the focus to be on you, not your surgery scars. As with any surgery, you'll have some scarring. The severity of the scars will depend on the particular operation you had done, as well as your skin type and the quality of aftercare. In order to prevent plastic surgery scars, follow your doctor's instructions explicitly after surgery. There are also many things you can do to help fade cosmetic surgery scars, making them less noticeable.

Things You'll Need

• Scar treatment cream
• Cocoa butter
• Scar treatment sheets

Instructions

1. Rub a scar treatment cream on the scars three times a day. Many scar treatment creams contain onion extract which has been shown to effectively fade scars. You'll need to be diligent about application for about 8 to 12 weeks before you'll see results.

2. Smooth cocoa butter on the scarred area. Cocoa butter has long been used to fade scars. It also keeps skin hydrated, making scars less noticeable.

3. Ask your dermatologist about prescription creams that will lighten scars. Fading or bleaching creams can help fade scars with hyperpigmentation. Doctors also often prescribe Retin-A creams to treat scarred skin. As Retin-A encourages cell turnover, your body will produce new, less damaged skin cells more quickly.

4. Use scar treatment sheets on your cosmetic surgery scars. These sheets are silicone-based. You simply place them over the scars and they remain there for several weeks. You'll notice the scars are softer and less noticeable with regular use.

5. Get laser treatments on your scars. Lasers have been shown to be quite effective at fading cosmetic surgery scars. Oftentimes, the same doctor who performed your cosmetic surgery will be able to provide laser treatment for the scars. Generally, you'll need a few sessions to reach favorable results.

6. Talk to your dermatologist about chemical peels. The chemicals will react with the top layers of your skin, essentially burning them away. Once the skin has healed, the scars will be lighter and less prominent. Your dermatologist will determine what strength peels are appropriate for your situation.

7. Massage the scarred area daily. This helps to break up the scar tissue. Aim to massage the scar multiple times a day, for 2 minutes at a time.

8. Nourish your skin with proper food and adequate water. Eat a healthy diet, rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Aim to get as much nutrition as possible from fresh food rather than pills or processed food. You must also drink at least 64 oz. of water daily to keep your body hydrated. Your skin will be healthier and your scars will fade faster if you eat properly and remain hydrated.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear sunscreen every day to protect your scarred skin from further damage.

• Do not stray from your surgeon's instructions regarding aftercare. Only begin scar treatment after you have fully healed from surgery.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish