There are a number of things you can do to help with scarring prevention. A scar can develop when the skin has been cut, scratched or incised. A scar develops when the collagen deep in the skin becomes exposed. This is part of the skin's healing process. There are ways to prevent and reduce scars from forming.
Wash the Wound
The most important step in preventing scars is to wash the wound thoroughly with warm water and an antibacterial soap. This will help prevent infection from developing. If an infection develops, it can slow the healing process and increase the chances of developing a scar.
Apply Antibiotic Ointment
After you have cleaned the wound, apply an antibiotic ointment to help with the healing process. An ointment can also help prevent an infection from developing. After applying an antibiotic ointment, cover the wound with a bandage for the first couple of days to prevent getting anything in the wound. This can also help prevent an infection. You can apply an ointment a couple times a day to promote healing.
Avoid the Sun
When you have a wound that you are trying to heal, it is best to avoid sun exposure to the wound. The sun's UV rays can cause more damage to the new layers of skin that are trying to heal. They can cause the wound to become red and then turn darker than the surrounding skin.
Vitamin E Oil
Applying vitamin E oil to the wound will help the skin to heal faster without leaving a scar. Vitamin E oil can also help to eliminated the appearance of old scars and even stretch marks when applied daily. Most drug stores sell this over the counter. Aloe Vera also helps wounds to heal faster and prevents scarring.
Massage
It is becoming more common for doctors to recommend massaging the wound after it has started to heal. Make sure the skin will not crack or break open before doing this. This helps to create a better blood flow to the surface of the skin. You will want to make sure to apply a lotion or Vitamin E oil to the skin before massaging it to help the fingers from becoming dry. If the area is big, you can ask someone else to help massage the wound, or there are massage therapists that do this.
Avoid Picking the Scab
If your wound has formed a scab, it is important not to pick at it. This can be hard, especially if it begins to itch. If the scab gets picked, it can slow down the healing process because the body needs to form a new one. Once it heals, it can also make the scar worse.
Drink Water
Drinking water will help the body to stay hydrated. When the body is well hydrated, it has better blood flow. This then helps the wound to heal faster and have less chance of scarring.
There are many ways to help prevent a scar from developing. By following these easy steps, you can prevent and reduce the appearance of scars.
