How to Minimize Scars During Healing
Scars occur when the body attempts to heal a cut or gash in the skin. The body does this by developing a thick layer of collagen at the site of the injury. This collagen often appears white or red and is sometimes raised, thus developing the typical scar tissue appearance. Whether a wound is the result of an accident or surgical procedure, there are some steps to take to minimize the damage to the skin and reduce scarring.
Things You'll Need
- Scar fade cream
- Silicone scar reduction patches
- Sun screen
- Water
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Cotton ball
Instructions
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1
Apply 1 tsp. of scar fade cream once or twice per day as directed by the product packaging. You should wait until the skin begins to heal before applying these creams as they should not be applied to open wounds or bleeding skin. These creams are available over the counter at pharmacies.
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2
Apply a silicone scar reduction patch, which is similar to a bandage, on top of wound area and leave it on for up to 48 hours. Position the silicone patch so that it overlaps the edges of the wound slightly. Remove after 48 hours and replace with a new patch.
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3
Do not expose the scar to sunlight, as this will cause increased pigmentation and make it more prominent. Apply sunscreen before going outside, or cover the scarred area with clothing.
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4
Prevent the formation of a scab by mixing 1 part water with 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Dab the solution onto the wound using a cotton ball twice per day to remove dead skin from the surface of the wound.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit skin treatment applying image by starush from Fotolia.com
