SCAR THERAPY - Self Care Guide
Our skin creates a scar or scar tissue as a result of direct trauma. This can be as a result of surgery - emergency or scheduled, inflicted wound - cut or puncture, infection, burn or when skin is placed under tension (stretch marks).
An important thing to know about scar formation is that there are several stages of healing and that it takes time.
Wound Healing
Hemeostasis - the formation of a blood clot/scab = mins - hrs
Inflammatory - Swelling occurs, cellular repair begins = Days 1-3
Proliferative - The body is building blood vessels and a construction network (like scaffolding) which is then broken down. Redness may present. = Days 4-21
Remodelling or Maturation - Collagen lines up along tension lines. The wound become fibrous. = Day 21 to up to 2 yrs
Healing along the length of a scar can occur at different rates. Some parts may lonk well healed whilst other parts may take longer to mature. This is normal. However, sometimes the healing process can be delayed or prevented is there is an infection, underlaying health issues or excess tension applied on the tissues.
If you have a new scar there are several things that you can do that will help with the look and function of the wound. The scar will continue to mature over a two year period and its in that window of time that you can really make a difference. Abnormal scarring tends to develop in the first 3 months of healing.
Problematic Scars
Problems associated with scar formation include:
Itching, soreness, raised (hypertrophic) or keloid ( thickened, red, scars that have spread beyond the original wound boundary) scars, adhesions and tightness or the surrounding area. Near by joint mobility maybe effected.
Scar Self Care
Hydration - Start this at wound closer. This will be from about 2 - 6 weeks but get a professional to check the wound first and give you the go ahead. Use a topical cream or gel 3 x a day for 1 month. A good moisturiser has 3 components -
i. Humectant - Brings water from the lower layer of the skin to the upper layers.
ii. Occlusive - Creates a barrier to prevent moisture loss.
iii. Emolliant - makes skin flexible and smooth
Protect from UV rays. Scar tissue doesn’t have the barrier healthy skin has so protect it from the sun but either using sunscreen or covering up.
Apply silicon based products and/or compression garments - for scars that are high risk of keloid development (scar thickening) Risk factors include delayed wound healing, location on the body, darker skin types or previous history or abnormal scarring. Silicon products can be come in topical or strip form, like a plaster.
Scar Massage - To be done by a professional trained in scar therapy and then directed to you for self massage at home. The aim is to improve flexibility of the tissue and prevent adheasions that can have a more widespread effect on the nearby muscles and joints.
Specific exercise and movement plan that takes into consideration pulling on the wound area. Seek advise from a trained professional in the area.
*** Scar self care requires commitment! It is advised that silicon strips are worn for a minimum of 12 hrs away for 2-3 mouths. Compression garments should also be worn consistently for the first year - 18 months. Seek advise from a professional. These are evidence based approaches and if adhered to under guidance should help produce a well healed scar.
Products To Use
(Click on the links to find to products online) The following are products that I recommend :
For self massage: Bio Oil - on Amazon, Rose hip oil - Its not cheap but Neals Yard has a good quality one. Rosehip oil can be nice and gentle to use on facial scars including acne scars.
Silicon based creams, gels and strips: Alyhdran Products, BAPSCARCARE & SCARBAN patches.
Compression Garments: JUZO
Why not contact me to book a consultation with me so that i can carry out a full assessment of your scar if you are worried that it is problematic in any way.
