Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Treating the wound
• Part 2 of 3: Prevent scarring
• Part 3 of 3: Promoting the healing process

If you have an injury, large or small, it can end in a scar. It is a natural result of wound healing: collagen in the deeper layers of your skin is exposed and rises to the surface to "close" the wound, forming a scar in the process. There are no magical home remedies for scar prevention, but there are some things you can do to affect the way the scar tissue will develop during the natural wound healing process.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Treating the wound

1. Clean the wound. The first step in allowing the wound to heal naturally is to clean the area of ​​the injury. Make sure that no dirt and other unwanted material gets trapped in the injury, otherwise it could infect.
   • Use soap and water. Gently wash the area with mild soap and warm water to cleanse the wound. Use clean, dry materials to apply pressure to stop bleeding.
   • Avoid using hydrogen peroxide to clean the area. Your body immediately starts making new skin cells, but the peroxide destroys those new cells and increases the chances of scarring right at the beginning of the treatment.
2. Determine if you need medical attention. Examples of wounds that need medical attention are those caused by something that pierced the skin deeply, wounds that continue to bleed, that are deep, where a bone has been broken, tendons, ligaments and / or bone have become open , on the face, by a bite from an animal, in which layers of the skin have been torn or torn, or in which an existing wound has reopened.
   • Sutures may be necessary depending on the severity of the injury. Sutures can reduce the risk of scarring. Once you have ruled out the need for medical care and / or stitches, continue to take care of the wound yourself at home or on your own.
   • If you have an injury to your face, you can choose to have the stitches done by a plastic surgeon, who uses special techniques to prevent scarring as much as possible.
3. Apply petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly keeps the wound moist, promotes healing and prevents crusts from forming. Petroleum jelly does not hinder the natural healing of the wound. In fact, it can speed up this process.
   • If a scar does form, petroleum jelly can limit the size of the scar as it forms during healing.
   • Scabs are the natural way our body forms a protective layer over a new wound. However, scars develop just below the crust.
   • During the repair of the body, collagen is brought to the surface of the skin to reattach torn and damaged tissue.
   • After that, a temporary crust is formed over the collagen. As the collagen goes to work to repair the damaged tissue, it also starts forming the scar just below the crust.
4. Use hydrogel dressing or silicone dressing. There is some evidence that a hydrogel dressing or silicone dressing can reduce scarring. Such dressing keeps wound tissue moist during the healing process and helps prevent scarring.
   • Hydrogel and silicone dressing support the natural moisture exchange between healthy and damaged skin. This is a pressure bandage for keeping the skin moist, which helps prevent scarring.
   • Follow the directions on the package if you want to use any of these products. They are available without a prescription. Product manufacturers have recommendations for use specific to their products.
   • Similar products are also available more cheaply. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which over-the-counter therapeutic cosmetic scar dressing they recommend.
   • Continue to use a moisture / compression dressing for several weeks or even longer to reduce the formation and size of scars.
   • The use of petroleum jelly is not necessary when using hydrogel, silicone dressing or the less expensive alternatives, as long as they keep the wound sufficiently moist.
   • Examine your wound daily to determine how effective the dressing is for your specific situation. If necessary, change the dressing if it is not damp and a crust forms.
5. Cover the damage. Use a plaster that is appropriate for the size of the wound, provides adequate protection, shields the wound and covers it completely. Exposure to air does not hinder healing, but it also does not help prevent scarring. In fact, the chances of scarring are higher if you leave the wound uncovered and unprotected.
   • Exposure to air causes the wound to dry faster and is more likely to cause crusts to form. Scabs act as a barrier that contributes to scar formation.
   • If your skin is sensitive to glue, use a non-stick dressing and use masking tape or medical tape to tape the edges.
   • Use butterfly plasters, if necessary.This type of plaster pulls together those areas of the wound where the skin is open. Use adhesive patches that are long enough so that you can use petroleum jelly without making it harder for the patches to adhere to the skin.
   • Even with butterfly plasters, you should still cover the wound with gauze or a bandage large enough to cover the entire wound area to avoid the risk of infection or further damage.
6. Change the dressing every day. Clean the area every day to check for an infection and keep the area moist by reapplying petroleum jelly and covering the area well.
   • If the butterfly patches are attached properly and there are no signs of infection, you can leave them in place.
   • Continue to monitor the wound every day while cleaning the wound, changing the dressing, and applying new petroleum jelly for improvement or possible signs of infection.
   • If you notice that new skin is forming in a healthy way (this can take up to 7-10 days), you can leave the dressing on for a little longer as long as you keep the area moist. Stop the treatment as soon as the area has healed completely.
7. Watch for infections. Change the dressing daily, then clean the area each time with mild soap and water and clean material, checking for changes that could indicate infection. Even wounds that are optimally cared for can infect.
   • If you notice an infection, see your doctor as soon as possible. He or she can then prescribe you topical antibiotics or oral antibiotics.
   • Signs of wound infection include redness of the environment, a warm feeling to the touch, red streaks that run into the skin around the lesion, pus or moisture that builds up under the skin, a wound that smells, throats, or unusual skin sensitivity and chills or fever.

Part 2 of 3: Prevent scarring

1. Massage the area. Once the healing process has started, massaging the site helps to break down collagen formation, which would otherwise lead to scar tissue. Be careful not to accidentally open the healing wound by massaging.
   • Massaging the area breaks collagen bond formation and prevents the formation of solid collagen that adheres to the new skin. This prevents scars from forming or enlarging.
   • Massage the area with a circular motion several times a day for 15 to 30 seconds at a time.
   • Use a lotion or cream recommended for scar prevention to aid in the massage. There are several products available without a prescription.
   • Some of the more popular products contain varying amounts of ingredients, including onion extract, which have been found to have some efficacy. Other products contain a combination of ingredients that help to reduce moisture in the skin to prevent scarring.
2. Apply pressure. Gentle and consistent pressure on the wound helps prevent or minimize scarring. Apply pressure along the area where scars are most likely.
   • Bandages are available for applying pressure. Other than the hydrogel and silicone dressing mentioned earlier, there are also products designed to apply constant pressure to the wound area and provide protection.
   • Ask your doctor about ways to safely make a custom pressure dressing. Options include the use of regular dressing materials to thicken standard plaster or bandages, which can be applied directly to the potential scar.
   • For larger or more prominent scars, there are tools available to apply pressure, which are worn during the day for four to six months. This can become an expensive endeavor and require evaluation and recommendation by a physician or wound care professional.
   • Animal studies have shown that scar compression therapy leads to significant and sustained reduction of scars, such as less thick skin at the site of the scars, and increased blood flow to the treated sites.
3. Apply elastic tape. Once the area has healed and there is no risk of the wound opening, you can use elastic tape in specific patterns to lift the skin, improve blood circulation to the area just below the wound and prevent scarring. to prevent.
   • The best known brand of this type of tape is Kinesio taping, which is also the name of the procedure.
   • Wait two to four weeks after the initial injury to make sure the wound has healed properly.
   • Different taping patterns are recommended depending on the location, depth and length of the injury. Talk to your doctor, physical therapist, or sports trainer to find out the most appropriate patterns for your injury.
   • A common taping pattern to prevent scarring is to apply a single layer of elastic tape along the length of the wound. Stretch the band to about 25 to 50% of its elasticity. Massage the tape on the site of the injury.
   • Gradually increase the tension of applying the elastic tape as long as the skin can handle it well without pulling or tearing the skin.
   • Kinesio tape can prevent scarring by applying patterns that lift the skin, stimulate circulation and break collagen build-up. Talk to your doctor, physical therapist, or sports trainer to find out the best patterns for your specific injury.
4. Limit your movement. Tension and movement will cause the scar to widen, so do your best to avoid activities that tighten the skin around the wound.
   • Use gentle movements if the damage is on a joint point, such as an elbow or knee. The intention is to regain your range of motion, but you must be careful not to reopen the wound.
   • Continue to engage in regular exercise or daily routines as long as the damage from these activities is not negatively affected. Exercise helps promote circulation in the body, which is important in wound healing.

Part 3 of 3: Promoting the healing process

1. Protect your injury from the sun. Use sunscreen to protect new skin from the sun once your injury has healed, and you no longer need to constantly cover the wound.
   • The sun's ultraviolet rays can slow down the healing process. Make sure your injury has healed nicely before removing the bandage, which acts as a barrier to the sun's rays.
   • The sun also activates the pigment in your skin. As a result, the new skin can suffer from a red or brown discoloration, making any scar more noticeable.
   • Use a product with a broad spectrum and an SPF of at least 30.
2. Maintain a diet that promotes wound healing. A healthy diet provides important nutrients that promote healing of damaged tissues. The main diet ingredients for promoting tissue repair are vitamin C, protein and zinc.
   • Eat more foods rich in vitamin C. There is evidence that more vitamin C in your diet can prevent scarring after a recent injury. While vitamin C supplements are available, it is very possible to get enough from a healthy diet.
   • Talk to your doctor about the dosage. Most people can take in more foods rich in vitamin C to get enough intake and thus promote the healing process. In some cases a higher than average dose may be justified, but only after consultation with your doctor.
   • Vitamin C is consumed quickly by your body, so make sure you get vitamin C with every meal and possibly even as a snack.
   • Examples of vegetables rich in vitamin C are bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, potatoes and cabbage. Fruits high in vitamin C are oranges, strawberries, grapefruit, cantaloupe and tangerines.
   • There is recent research suggesting that adding more vitamin C to your diet, or possibly as a supplement, along with applying a skin cream made with vitamin C, can help prevent scarring. Skin products with vitamin C are available in strengths ranging from 5% to 10%.
   • Include more zinc in your diet by eating beef, fish such as crab and liver. Zinc is also found in sunflower seeds, almonds, peanut butter and dairy products such as milk and eggs.
   • Protein is important in providing the nutrients your body needs to heal damaged skin. Good sources of protein are dairy products such as eggs, milk and cheese, fish, seafood, tuna, chicken, turkey and red meat.
3. Eat more curcumin. Curcumin is a coloring agent prepared by extraction from turmeric, the rhizome of the turmeric plant, and is found in turmeric, a spice commonly used in Indonesian and Indian cuisine.
   • Animal studies have found a positive correlation with the control of the inflammatory response leading to better wound healing. The authors conclude that there could be a positive relationship in promoting the healing process of damaged tissues and the prevention of scarring.
   • There is limited evidence to support the use of curcumin beyond this separate animal study.
4. Apply honey to your wound. The research regarding the use of honey to promote wound healing is controversial, but there is enough evidence to support the medicinal use of honey to speed up the healing process of some types of wounds. Scarring is less likely when the wounds heal more quickly.
   • The most recommended form of medicinal honey used to treat wounds is Manuka honey. Manuka honey was approved by the FDA in 2007 as a recommended option for treating wounds.
   • It is difficult to obtain as it is generally only made in certain parts of the world where Manuka trees naturally grow.
   • The high demand for Manuka honey makes it likely that some products are fake, so be careful if you want to buy this honey.
   • Make a wound dressing by applying small amounts of Manuka honey to the dressing, such as sterile gauze. Apply the dressing to the wound and cover the edges with the correct type of plaster to prevent leakage.
   • Clean the wound and change the dressing several times a day. Always check the wound for infections.
5. Apply aloe vera. Scientific research on this drug is limited. Manufacturers continue to promote the wound-healing properties of aloe vera, and traditional Chinese medicine and other cultures continue to use aloe vera both externally and internally.
   • The most recent review of published literature does not provide conclusive evidence to support benefit in wound healing. Still, the study authors recommend more controlled trials to better study and report the healing properties of aloe vera.
   • Aloe vera gel products for use on the skin are usually supplemented with vitamins A, B, C and E, enzymes, minerals, amino acids and sugars.
   • It is not recommended to take aloe vera due to the lack of evidence to support its efficacy and the toxins it can ingest.
6. Avoid using vitamin E. While the healing power and scar-preventing properties of applying vitamin E to the skin on a new wound has been promoted for years, recent research has shown that vitamin E not helps to prevent the tissues from scarring.
   • Some research suggests that vitamin E applied externally may actually counteract the natural healing process.
   • Other research has shown that topically used vitamin E can result in new allergic reactions in as many as 30% of people who use vitamin E in this way.
7. Avoid antibiotic creams or ointments. Unless there are signs of an infection or your doctor has prescribed it, there is no need to use over-the-counter antibiotic creams or ointments.
   • More and more people are becoming resistant to antibiotics as a result of unnecessary, repeated or prolonged use of these agents.
   • This includes the topical use of over-the-counter antibiotic products.