Jan 20, 2012
Minimising Your Scars
The goal of all plastic surgery is to have an invisible scar, or as close to this ideal as possible.
So how can you increase the odds that your skin will heal well?
First of all, let’s talk about what can go wrong.
Hypertophic scars are the kind that become raised and thick. Keloid scars are the kind that can actually grow over time, and thicken to a ‘zippered’ appearance.. Some nationalities are more likely to develop keloid scarring than others, and if you have other scars that have healed poorly, your chances are higher that you will have problems again. So what can you do to reduce your chances?
Steps You Can Take Before Surgery;
Quit Smoking
smoking can reduce the body’s ability to heal, and reduces blood flow to the surgical area, thus reducing the chances of healthy skin re-juvenation
Alcohol
Stop Drinking Alcohol, before and after your surgery; Drinking alcohol can actually increase your risk of infection, and that can result in messy scars. Drinking also takes a toll on your liver, and we all know that an unhealthy liver displays itself on your skin. No alcohol for several weeks before and after the surgery would give your body a chance to concentrate on healing and ridding itself of the medication and waste that surgery naturally creates.
Drink plenty of water
Moisturise your skin from the outside, And hydrate it from the inside – this is the best skin plan around! Keep a bottle of water on your bedsid
After Surgery
If your surgeon uses steri- strip tape (the white medical tape) on your incisions, leave it on as long as possible (unless directed otherwise). It helps to support the new scar, preventing stretching and sagging. It should also help to keep your scar flat.
Once the incision is completely closed (sealed tight and healed) you can start using scar creams, gels,oils or scar tape.
There are lots of different types, ranging from the basic natural oils, to the scientifically advanced lotions and gels.
Silicone gels (100% silicone) have been proven to work extremely well on keloid scars and surgical scars. Gels seem to absorb faster than creams, so a silicone gel would be one of the best options around for your scars.
Another option is silicone sheets. These act like the medical tape that is used initially after surgery but they are designed to be used over an extended time. It goes on like tape, and creates a hydrated environment for the scar to heal. It also has the added benefit of supporting the scar to keep it smooth. One downside it that it can lose its ‘sticking’ power, and start to come away from the scar (and if it is not touching the scar, its not doing any good!). The sheeting is also not useful when you are massaging the area.
Massage
In the end, it doesn’t matter too much what you use, as long as it helps to lubricate the area while you massage.
Massaging the scar helps to break down the scar tissue that naturally forms and create a flexible, supple scar.
You want to prevent a thick build up of scar tissue, and the best way is to massage the scar regularly.
Rubbing length ways,and then up and down in a zig zag motion is a great way to keep the scar soft. Do this a few times a day in the initial months, then 1-2 times a day for the next 6 months, for up to a year. This should result in the best possible scar.
In some surgeries (like Tummy Tucks) you may have ‘dog ears’ at the end of your scars. If you’ve ever tried to sew up a hole in a pair of jeans, you probably found that the end of your newly stitched hole, resulted in a weird pucker of fabric where the ends didn’t quite meet neatly. In Tummy Tucks, this is called a dog ear, and if it is not too severe, it can be improved with massage. Massaging the skin can help to flatten minor puckers and release tension caused by the build up of collagen in the area.
If the cream, oil or gel that you are using causes irritation, stop using it straight away.
Don’t use any oils, creams or gels until your surgeon has ok’d them, using them before the wound is closed can cause it to become irritated and infected.
Keep Your Scars Covered
Another important thing to remember is that your scars shouldn’t see the sun during the first year of healing.
If you do want to tan, cover up your scars with sun block and a bandaid if possible. Always aim for as many levels of protection as possible, sunscreen and clothing plus some sort of bandage or gauze.
If you do tan the scar, it can permanently darken, leaving a more noticeable scar for the long term. Think of your scars being like a baby’s skin- it shouldn’t be exposed to the sun for the first year of life when it is at it’s most vulnerable.
How Long Will It Take To Fade?
It is normal for a scar to take a long time to fade, often the scar will actually get darker in the first 4 months and look worse, and then slowly fade to white over a year.
Most Breast Augmentation scars will be thin and flat on their own, but Tummy Tuck scars tend be larger and more prominent because there is more tension on the skin, and two areas of completely separate skin being bought together.
It is worth investing the time and money on you scars, after all- you are spending thousands of dollars on the procedure, making sure the end result is as good as possible seems like a worthwhile investment.
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