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. This is the normal process of scarring.
It can harden, shrink, and interfere with normal tissue mobility. Does that mean you have to live with damaged tissue for the rest of your life? Not exactly. While some scar tissue will never go away, oftentimes, if treated properly, the injured tissue can be remolded to resemble normal, healthy tissue.
Ultimately, however, the hard work is up to you. Scar tissue tightens 24 hours a day so the more you can do to try stopping the tightening, the less chance you have of a contracture forming. Though scar tissue may take up to 2 years to mature, prevention is much better than cure.
After several weeks, the scar that forms may feel hard, tight, raised, or bumpy. Over time, the scar will become softer, smoother, and less red. Your scar will continue to heal for 12 to 18 months after your surgery.
Targeted exercises and spring-loaded splints help stretch the skin and guide joints back into proper position. Massage and ultrasound therapy help soften scars. “With the combination of different therapies, over time the scar will soften and the patient is able regain motion of their fingers,” she says.
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.
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.
New skin forms as the wound heals. With deeper wounds (into the dermis layer and lower), your body responds by making collagen to repair the wound. Collagen is thicker than the rest of your skin. This thicker, less flexible tissue becomes a scar.
Scar tissue may become hard and raised. Massage is a way of softening and flattening scars and reducing the adhesions between the different layers of the tissue, making the scar tissue more flexible. It can also help alleviate any itching and over-sensitivity of the scar.
Check if you have a keloid scar
A keloid scar usually appears a few weeks to years after you damage or injure your skin, such as after a cut, burn or acne. Keloid scars are usually raised, hard, smooth and shiny.
Physical therapy can help break up scar tissue that has formed around a joint. Learning flexibility exercises and stretches can help to reduce stiffness and relieve some of the discomforts that scarring can bring.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How much a scar fades depends on its size, location and type. However, scars never fully disappear, because the jumbled tissue remains fundamentally different from the skin around it.
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. This is the normal process of scarring.
As scar tissue begins to form, it may appear red, raised, and hard, but over time it fades, flattens, and softens. Browse our specialists and get the care you need. Depending on the type of injury, the depth of the wound, and the person's skin type, this process takes months.
Cortisone injections.
These types of injections can help soften and then shrink hard scars. Keloids and hypertrophic scars often soften after intralesional steroid injections.
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.
Previous research on intermittent fasting has demonstrated its notable impact on diabetic wound healing. It can enhance re-epithelialization and dermal regeneration while reducing scar formation.
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. A keloid scar isn't harmful to your physical health, but it can cause emotional distress.
The timing of silicone scar sheet use can affect its efficacy, but it is generally never too late to start using them. While the best results are often seen when treatment begins shortly after wound closure or the formation of a scar, established scars can also show improvement.
Scar Tissue Release Therapy is a gentle yet effective modality. In your session you may feel such sensations as a slight tugging or pressure as the scar tissue is released.