How to break up scar tissue at home?

Author: Miss Lesly Skiles DDS  |  Last update: Sunday, August 3, 2025

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.

What is the fastest way to dissolve scar tissue?

What are the best methods for scar tissue removal?
  1. Manual Therapy. Manual therapy – Applying the right force in the right direction can prevent tissue restriction. ...
  2. Topical Solutions. ...
  3. Laser Therapy. ...
  4. Surgery. ...
  5. Compression. ...
  6. Steroid Injection.

Can I break up my own scar tissue?

Start off by pushing very lightly and make small circles directly over the scar. Then you can go up and down and side to side. Once you have done that about a minute, you can start pushing harder. This might be painful now, and you might feel some pops underneath. That is the scar tissue breaking up.

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 breaks down scar tissue internally?

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 To Break Up Painful Scar Tissue To Help Heal After A Knee Replacement

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.

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.

Does heat help 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.

How do you soften thick scar tissue?

Applying a silicone dressing such as Scarguard™, or any variety of silicone sheet “Scar Treatment” bandage (available at most drugstores) at night will help many scars flatten out and soften. Silicone sheets can be purchased at any local pharmacy, grocery store, Walmart, etc.

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.

Can you get rid of internal scar tissue without surgery?

A physical therapist may be able to help get rid of scar tissue with a specialized treatment known as the Graston Technique. This technique promotes muscle fiber separation, which can alleviate pain caused by scar tissue and can even help restore flexibility.

Does rubbing scar tissue break it down?

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.

What medication dissolves scar tissue?

Dermatologists may inject a corticosteroid solution directly into a hypertrophic scar or keloid, which may help reduce its size. Steroids break the bonds between collagen fibers, which reduces the amount of scar tissue beneath the skin.

Can anything break up scar tissue?

Massage therapy can also help break up scar tissue and allow it to remodel. Scar-revision surgery: A range of surgical procedures can remove a scar, improve its appearance or transplant skin from another area (skin graft). This is an exchange of one type of scar for a different, more preferable 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.

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.

How long does it take scar tissue to loosen?

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.

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.

Does scar tissue pop when it breaks up?

After a surgical procedure, an excess of scar tissue is formed by the body at the site of the procedure and could make a popping noise as it breaks up in the weeks and months to follow.

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.

What happens if you don't massage scar tissue?

You should carry on massaging your scars for at least three to six months after your surgery or injury. What happens if I do not do anything? Your scar could become hard and inflexible or adhesions may form. Scars that cross a joint could stop you being able to bend or straighten the joint (a contracture).

What does it feel like when scar tissue releases?

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.

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