How do you soften thick scar tissue?

Author: Dr. Lennie Ankunding DDS  |  Last update: Sunday, June 29, 2025

There are also liquid silicone gels that can be worn during the day if you wish. Massaging the scar with Vitamin E Oil, Mederma™, or other lotions can help soften the scar.

How do you dissolve deep scar tissue?

The following are some of the more common scar-minimizing procedures:
  1. Dermabrasion. ...
  2. Chemical peels. ...
  3. Collagen injections. ...
  4. Cortisone injections. ...
  5. Cryosurgery. ...
  6. Laser resurfacing. ...
  7. Punch grafts. ...
  8. Surgical scar revision.

How do you break down hardened scar tissue?

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.

What is the best thing to soften scar tissue?

Do
  • massage your scar with a water-based cream (such as aqueous cream or E45 cream) a few times a day for up to 10 minutes each time – only massage your scar if the wound is fully healed.
  • try to keep your scar covered when you're in the sun for at least 1 year – wear clothing that covers it, or put a dressing over it.

When is it too late to massage scar tissue?

For best results, you should perform scar massage for at least 10 minutes, twice a day, for six months. You should only stop sooner than that if the scar starts showing signs of infection or you experience intolerable discomfort.

Get Rid of Scar Tissue - Ask Doctor Jo

Does heat break up scar tissue?

Increased temperature is a common physiological effect that helps to break down scar tissue. Increased temperature involves both superficial and deep tissues increasing in temperature. Increasing temperature of tissues within the body helps to loosen scar tissue.

Does Vaseline soften scar tissue?

Use Vaseline® Jelly for Scars

By sealing in moisture it also helps to reduce dryness of scarred skin, once your skin has healed. This may help to improve the appearance of scars, making the skin look smoother and softer, as well as help to reduce itchiness caused by dryness.

What is it called when scar tissue hardens?

A keloid scar is a thick raised scar. It can occur wherever you have a skin injury but usually forms on earlobes, shoulders, cheeks or the chest. If you're prone to developing keloids, you might get them in more than one place.

Does vibration break up scar tissue?

Another great treatment that we have is rapid release technologies vibration therapy. What this does, this vibrates at certain frequency, and helps break up scar tissue adhesions.

How do you loosen old scar tissue?

Massaging the scar with Vitamin E Oil, Mederma™, or other lotions can help soften the scar. For some scars that are tending to thicken, your doctor may suggest an injection of a medication such as Kenalog™ into the scar.

What breaks up internal scar tissue?

Physical therapy can be a viable option for scar tissue treatment and associated pain. Physical therapists use a combination of active and passive motion to break down and retrain scar tissue. Active motion refers to a patient moving the affected area under his or her own power.

How do you break down scar tissue on your own?

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.

How do you get rid of thick scar tissue?

Keloid scar treatment and scar tissue removal
  1. Steroid injections. Steroids are injected directly into the keloid scar tissue to help decrease the itching, redness, and burning sensations that these scars may produce. ...
  2. Cryotherapy. ...
  3. Pressure therapy. ...
  4. Surgery. ...
  5. Another option for keloid scar treatment is laser surgery.

Is neosporin good for scars?

Application of a triple antibiotic ointment (such as over-the-counter Bacitracin, Neosporin or Polysporin) three times a day to the wound for a full three weeks helps prevent infection and creates a better foundation for improved long-term scar appearance.

What vitamin is good for scars?

Many lay people use vitamin E on a regular basis to improve the outcome of scars and several physicians recommend topical vitamin E after skin surgery or resurfacing.

Is Vaseline better than Mederma?

Brown has reviewed at least three controlled studies showing no proven benefit when Mederma is used for scar treatment. You would see more benefit from applying lotion or Vaseline to a scar – three times per day for 8 weeks – than you would following the same regimen with Mederma.

What destroys scar tissue?

Laser therapy

There are two types of laser therapies for treating scar tissue: ablative and nonablative. A doctor will use ablative laser therapy to flatten scar tissue. Nonablative laser therapy can disrupt the blood supply in the scar tissue, which will eventually kill off the abnormal tissue.

What is better for scar tissue, heat or ice?

Heat helps reduce scar tissue formation and relieves the aching caused by the chronic stage of inflammation. Apply heat as described in the Subacute stage of inflammation as needed and receive at least 1 massage a month to reduce scar tissue formation.

How long does it take for scar tissue to soften?

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.

Previous article
Why niacinamide is the best?
Next article
Does drinking water reduce melanin?