Sugar can also worsen scar tissue formation, such as hypertrophic or keloid scars. Avoid hidden sugars in processed foods, soft drinks, and sweets. Nitrates found in processed meats like bacon, salami, and hot dogs may impair blood vessel function, reducing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to healing tissues.
Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, which can be harmful to healing wounds. The presence of debris, bacteria or other impurities in open skin can trigger infection and extend the inflammation period. Fisher says prolonged inflammation enhances scar formation.
Liver, sweet potatoes, kale, and red peppers all contain high amounts of Vitamin A. Vitamin C: Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is involved in all phases of wound healing. In the inflammatory phase it is required for neutrophil apoptosis and clearance clears out excess and chronic inflammation.
Sun exposure can make a scar darker. Repeated exposure increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Keep up your nutrition: Having low levels of vitamin D or C in your system can make scarring worse and you need adequate high quality protein in your diet to help your skin make what is needed to heal.
Sugar can also worsen scar tissue formation, such as hypertrophic or keloid scars. Avoid hidden sugars in processed foods, soft drinks, and sweets. Nitrates found in processed meats like bacon, salami, and hot dogs may impair blood vessel function, reducing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to healing tissues.
Research has shown that vitamin C can help with tissue health and repair. Add vitamin C to your diet while your wound is healing. You can get vitamin C in your diet by eating or drinking juice from citrus fruits such as oranges, clementines, grapefruits, lemons, and limes.
Factors that can slow the wound healing process include: Dead skin (necrosis) – dead skin and foreign materials interfere with the healing process. Infection – an open wound may develop a bacterial infection. The body fights the infection rather than healing the wound.
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.
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.
If you're looking for an eating plan that closely follows the tenets of anti-inflammatory eating, consider the Mediterranean diet, which is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, and healthy oils.
Don't Pick at the Wound
It can worsen acne and scarring, per the AAD. In addition to picking, refrain from scratching or manipulating wounds or newly formed scabs. “Picking at wounds during the healing process leads to increased inflammation and scarring,” Salyards says.
“Scarring is a natural part of our body's healing process. There are some people that are predisposed to forming thicker scars based on genetics, immune status, medications, and other factors.”
Small cuts and scrapes can be left uncovered, but moisture is usually needed to help speed up the healing process. Apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and cover with an adhesive bandage any exposed wounds that might become dirty on the hands, feet, arms or legs.
Excessive pulling or tension across a healing wound is increasingly implicated as a factor which may increase inflammation and scar formation. An environmental factor that clearly has an effect on the appearance on skin scarring is sunlight exposure.
Use recommended products: Silicone strips, Arnica gel, medications, and supplements are among the products that may be recommended to speed up your healing process and soften your scars. 5. Avoid sun exposure: The delicate new skin that is forming as your incisions heal is particularly vulnerable to sun damage.
Anecdotal reports claim that vitamin E speeds wound healing and improves the cosmetic outcome of burns and other wounds. 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.
Caring for Scars
One tip for taking care of scars is to use a topical ointment. 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.
Vitamin E. Massaging with vitamin E oils could help reduce collagen build-up, which can help flatten out raised scars. Try massaging for four to five minutes, three or four times a day and see if it works for you.
Limit unhealthy foods, such as those that are high in fat, sugar, and salt. Examples include doughnuts, cookies, fried foods, candy, and regular soda. These kinds of foods are low in nutrients that are important for healing.
Vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc help your body to repair tissue damage, fight infections, and keep your skin healthy. Try to eat foods from the lists below. Vitamin A is found in animal foods and some brightly coloured vegetables and fruits.
Promote Wound Healing with Good Nutrition
Choose vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C, such as broccoli or strawberries. For adequate zinc, choose fortified grains and protein foods, such as beef, chicken, seafood or beans. Some wounds may require a higher intake of certain vitamins and minerals to support healing.