Scar massage is a way of softening and flattening scars. It can stop scar tissue build up and help make scars less noticeable. Your scar or scars will continue to grow and change for about twelve to eighteen months, so the earlier and more regularly you massage your scar, the less the chance of long-term problems.
You should continue daily scar massage for at least the first 6 months and then if the scar is no longer painful and is mobile, you can reduce to 3-4 days a week until the scar is fully mature. This is when the color becomes pale pink and the skin is flat.
Begin with light pressure and progress to deeper and firmer pressure. You should massage your scar regularly- at least 2-3 times a day and for 5 minutes at a time. You should continue this for approximately 6 months until the scar has fully matured.
Scar Process
It will take six to 18 months for the scar to have its final appearance. Your scar should gradually soften and fade over these six to 18 months, but will look pink initially (photo B). Some scars never fade. If your scar stays pink after 12 to 18 months please call to discuss options.
Scar massage is a way of softening and flattening scars. It can stop scar tissue build up and help make scars less noticeable. Your scar or scars will continue to grow and change for about twelve to eighteen months, so the earlier and more regularly you massage your scar, the less the chance of long-term problems.
Use silicone products
Silicone products, such as silicone sheets and gels, can keep your scar moisturized and help it heal. You can use them under your makeup and clothing.
When a scar first develops on lighter skin, it's usually pink or red. Over time, the pinkish color fades, and the scar becomes slightly darker or lighter than the color of the skin. In people with dark skin, scars often appear as dark spots. Sometimes scars itch, and they may be painful or tender.
Silicone gel keeps the skin hydrated and lets it breathe, so scars can soften. Research shows that silicone gel reduces a scar's texture, color, and height. If you try it, wait for the gel to fully dry before you put clothes on over it.
Scars seem to get worse before they get better. For about six weeks after surgery the scar becomes red, firm and hard. This is the body's way of making a very strong and solid scar. Over the next four months the scar will soften and lose the redness.
Cocoa butter cream and Vaseline are most often used to help reduce the appearance of scars. Applying the ointment daily will help heal scars but will not make them invisible. Another tip for caring for your scars includes surgery. Surgery will not eliminate the scar but can change its shape or make it less noticeable.
It's never too late to do a scar massage, but you'll have better results if you start it two to three weeks after surgery. Scar massage may still be helpful if you're experiencing prolonged sensitivity or discomfort.
Dermabrasion with sandpaper is a simple and inexpensive method1 of improving the appearance of scars.
Healing wounds may itch, but you should avoid the temptation to scratch them. “Scratching the wound or picking at the scab causes more inflammation, making a scar more likely,” Fisher says.
There is no way to completely remove a scar. However, the appearance of a scar minimizing can usually be improved. For non-raised scars, surgery may be an option used to alter a scar's shape to make it less noticeable. Dermabrasion, microneedling, and laser resurfacing can help to make scars 'blend in'.
Your first instinct may be to grab a bottle of hydrogen peroxide or other antiseptic, but she says this could actually make scarring worse. “Hydrogen peroxide can increase inflammation and destruction to the healing skin, increasing scarring,” she explains.
Your scar may be reddened at first and then settle down to become smoother and paler in colour. It can take up to 12-18 months after your injury or operation for a scar to heal. A normal scar will become darker initially and after a period of time this will start to fade.
There are many types of therapies for scar tissue, but the standard treatment commonly involves exercise and massage — specifically, stretching and pulling the scar tissue to soften, align and elongate it.
Experts don't completely understand what causes keloid scars. But most agree it's likely a dysfunction of the wound-healing process. Collagen — a protein found throughout the body — is useful to wound healing, but when the body produces too much, keloids can form.
At first, scar tissue is usually red, then it turns pink for about 3-6 months before fading to a slightly lighter color than your normal skin. Being out in the sun a lot can sometimes make a scar darker.
Our study provided the first evidence that two times of 24-h fasting in a week before or after wound injury was sufficient to induce faster wound closure, enhance re-epithelialization and dermal regeneration, and reduce scar formation in mice with diabetic or burn wounds.
Put the flat part of your fingers on the scar. Move the skin and tissue under the scar back and forth, holding for a few seconds. Make sure you press enough to feel the scar “move” under your fingertips. Move your fingers along to the next section of scar, and repeat until you've massaged all along the scar.