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.
Many scars that are under attractive in the first few months may greatly improve over the course of a year. In the first few months, they may be pink and raised (hypertrophic) then soften, flatten, and lighten over the remaining 9 - 10 months.
However, the overall length of time for the scar to heal is 9-12 months. This is the time it takes for any scar to mature into a pale and flat scar. Immediately after surgery, the strength of the scar gradually increases and the maximum tension that can be reached in the wound is achieved around 4-6 weeks.
Most scars fade over time and don't cause long-term health problems. How a scar changes depends on its location, size and type. A scar may fade so much that you can barely see it, but it never completely goes away. Some scars cause problems months or years later.
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.
Laser surgery.
Most laser therapy for scars is done in conjunction with other treatments, including injections of steroids, use of special dressings, and the use of bandages. Multiple treatments may be required, regardless of the initial type of therapy. Pulse dye laser is a good choice to use for keloids.
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.
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.
Massage. Deep tissue massage and cross-friction massage are two manual therapies that improve mobility, promote healing, break up existing scar tissue, and help prevent it from forming. Scar tissue massage also helps with those aches and pains that develop when tight areas and adhesions impede healthy movement.
Medicated Creams or Gels
Over-the-counter skin medications such as creams or gels can help. If your scar is itchy or sensitive, antihistamine cream may stop the itch while helping your scar heal. Corticosteroid cream can help prevent scarring and has been shown to reduce the appearance of scars over time.
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.
Indications of Internal Scar Tissue:
Persistent or recurrent pain in a specific area, particularly after surgery, trauma, or inflammation. Changes in organ function or symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, breathing, or gastrointestinal issues. Restricted range of motion or stiffness in joints or muscles.
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.
It is important to not let your scar become dry. During massage and throughout the day, you can apply lotion or vitamin E. If you decide to use lotion, be sure to use something that is gentle and without perfume, such as Eucerin or Cocoa Butter.
Hypertrophic scars that result from burn wounds are more difficult to treat. Superficial burn wounds usually heal without forming hypertrophic scars. Deep burn wounds are harder to treat. Many dermatologic and plastic surgeons treat these by removing the burned area and then using a skin graft.
The scar will tend to remain red for 1-6 months afterwards. After that as the collagen, fibers and scar organizes and matures, the scar tends to contract down and flatten out. The color becomes less red and begins to take on the color and appearance of the surrounding tissue. It will then gently fade with time.
Additionally, physical therapy can help to reduce the risk of scar tissue build up and break up any scar tissue that is already there.
Heat can reduce pain and improve elasticity of collagen fibers making scar tissue easier to mobilize. Paraffin combines the element of heat and skin lubrication, which are both useful for mobilization. Hot packs: The use of a heat pack on the scarred area can help increase the overall blood flow.
Vitamin E may be hailed as a new miracle regarding scar reduction and fading. However, the lack of clinical evidence suggests that using vitamin E for scars is ineffective and, thus, not necessary.
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. If your scar becomes raised and rubbery instead of flat, this could be an abnormal scar process (photo C).
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.