Should you moisturize a healing scar?

To help your scar mature it is recommended that you massage and moisturise your scar.
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Does moisturizing help heal scars?

While one cannot exclude the effects of some of the ingredients used in the products, several studies are reported in this review that demonstrates that moisturization is a key component to reducing the clinical signs and symptoms of scars and striae.
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Should I put anything on a healing scar?

Topical treatments, such as vitamin E, cocoa butter cream, silicone gel,onion extract products, and several commercial skin care products like Vaseline and Aquaphor that are sold over the counter may be somewhat effective in helping to heal scars.
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When should you put lotion on a scar?

If you choose to apply cream, be sure to wait two weeks after surgery. Ask your surgeon about possible prescription skin treatments. Will a scar disappear?
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Is Aquaphor good for scars?

Wounds/scars heal best when they are kept well moisturized with Vaseline or Aquaphor. Any crusting/scabbing that occurs should be gently removed by soaking the area with warm water, increasing vaseline treatment until scab falls off on its own.
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HOW TO PREVENT SCARS AFTER SURGERY đź’‰ DERMATOLOGIST @DrDrayzday



Is it better to keep a scar moist or dry?

Wet or moist treatment of wounds has been shown to promote re-epithelialization and result in reduced scar formation, as compared to treatment in a dry environment. The inflammatory reaction is reduced in the wet environment, thereby limiting injury progression.
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How do you moisturize a scar?

Silicone gels or sheets can be used on healing skin (not open wounds) to help soften and flatten a scar. They can also relieve itching and discomfort. To be effective, silicone gels or sheets should be placed over the scar for 12 hours a day for at least 3 months. They can be washed and reused.
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How do you take care of a healing scar?

How should I care for a scar following surgery/injury?
  1. Pat dry your scar after a bath or shower.
  2. Use a non-perfumed moisturising cream such as E45 cream or aqueous cream to moisturise the skin surrounding your scar twice a day.
  3. Avoid picking or scratching your scar.
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Do scars need moisture?

Wounds and scars need moisture to heal optimally. When we don't get enough water, wound healing can take much longer and scarring can be more severe.
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Can you put Moisturiser on a healing wound?

Yes, moist skin is less likely to break down. But do not put skin lotion directly in the wound. If you have broken skin, please ask the doctor for a recommended product.
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What can you put on a scar to make it heal faster?

Treating scars
  1. topical silicone gel or silicone gel sheets.
  2. pressure dressings.
  3. steroids.
  4. skin camouflage (make-up)
  5. surgery.
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How long should you put Vaseline on a scar?

How long do I apply Vaseline and a bandaid? 1-2 weeks until the sutures are removed, then for 1 week after just apply Vaseline. If you hate the bandage, you can go without it, but you must reapply the Vaseline 5-10 times a day, the wound must not dry out.
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When should I start massaging my scars?

You should start massaging your scars two weeks after surgery. Wait until the sutures have been removed and all scabs have fallen off by themselves. Do not pull your scabs off.
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Do scars heal better covered or uncovered?

Covering the wound maintains the natural moisture that helps keep cells alive. An exposed cut will pick up dirt and debris from the air. A wound that heals in a moist environment is less likely to leave a scar.
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At what point do scars stop healing?

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. Dark scars can remain for years or indefinitely in people with darker skin.
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Does Aquaphor speed up healing?

Using Aquaphor has also been proven to speed up the recovery of injured skin, including recently tattooed skin. It can also help in the healing process of small or minor cuts and wounds, anything large or serious should be seen by a medical professional.
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Is Neosporin or Aquaphor better for scars?

But, says Macrene, it's worth considering making the switch to Aquaphor: "A study showed that using bacitracin or neomycin [both present in Neosporin] as compared to Aquaphor caused resistant bacteria in wounds." Aquaphor. Both derms agree: This is your best bet for wound care treatment.
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Does Vaseline fade scars?

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.
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Is vitamin E good for scars?

Conclusions: This study shows that there is no benefit to the cosmetic outcome of scars by applying vitamin E after skin surgery and that the application of topical vitamin E may actually be detrimental to the cosmetic appearance of a scar.
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Should you massage scars?

Massaging your scars is important. It keeps the tissue around the incision loose so it doesn't “stick” to the tissue underneath. Wait until after your skin has healed before you start massaging your scar. Your skin will be healed when the edges of the scar are well closed with no gaps, and have no drainage.
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What can you not do for scars?

Avoid scratching or picking scabs.

Healing wounds may itch, but you should avoid the temptation to scratch them. “Scratching the wound or picking at the scab causes more inflammation, making a scar more likely,” Hultman says.
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What can make scars worse?

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.
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