Why is my surgical scar lumpy?

When the skin is wounded, the tissues break, which causes a protein called collagen to be released. Collagen builds up where the tissue is damaged, helping to heal and strengthen the wound. New collagen continues forming for several months and the blood supply increases, causing the scar to become raised and lumpy.

Does lumpy scar tissue go away?

Keloids tend to shrink and become flatter over time, even without treatment. Initially, your doctor will probably recommend less-invasive treatments, such as silicone pads, pressure dressings, or injections, especially if the keloid scar is a fairly new one.

Why does my surgery scar feel lumpy?

Why does my scar feel lumpy? You may feel bumps and lumps under the skin. This is normal and is due to the dissolvable sutures under the surface of the skin. These deep sutures take months to completely dissolve and the scar will not be smooth until this time.

How do you smooth out a lumpy scar?

How long does it take for a surgery scar to flatten?

Scars take time to settle. The lumpiness, puckering and thickening in the scar take 2-3 months to diminish, whilst the redness and pigmentation can take up to 9-12 months to fade. Most scars become flat and pale after 12 months.

Surgical wound healing

Can massaging a scar make it worse?

If a patient massages their scar prematurely it could cause the wound to tear or reopen, risking an infection. It's therefore important to advise them to not begin massaging until the wound is fully healed.

When should you massage surgical 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.

How often should I massage scar tissue?

In early healing phases, try and massage your scar for 10-15 minutes a day (2-3 times a day for 5 mins). Apply a non-perfumed Vitamin E lotion or oil to your scar area. Vitamin E is proven to help build collagen and massaging with lotion lubricates the skin, cutting down friction.

When can I put lotion on a surgery scar?

Keeping the skin moisturised once the initial wound has healed, after approximately 3 weeks, is the best method of preventing or reducing scars. Bath emollients and moisturisers can also help to restore the skin's smoothness and elasticity.

How can I flatten my scars at home?

Pressure and massage: One of the cheapest and most effective ways to help heal the scar is to apply pressure and massage to the area. You can use bandages or tape to apply pressure. Over time, it can help weaken the scar tissue and improve the appearance of the scar.

What is hard lump after surgery?

What's a seroma? A seroma is a collection of fluid that builds up under the surface of your skin. Seromas may develop after a surgical procedure, most often at the site of the surgical incision or where tissue was removed.

Does scar tissue feel like knots?

They can also be found in areas where there is scar tissue (see below). Adhesions are usually felt as “knots” and are tender to the touch. They can block circulation, cause pain, impinge nerves, limit range of motion/movement, and cause inflammation.

Do bumps from stitches go away?

Occasionally a red bump or pustule forms along the suture line when a buried stitch works its way to the surface. This is only temporary, and applying a warm compress to the spot usually helps it resolve.

How do you break up scar tissue?

To break down scar tissue we first lubricate the affected area with baby oil, lotion, or vitamin E oil. Then we'll perform different massage techniques including cross friction massage and myofascial release which help improve the alignment of collagen fibers and improve movement.

Why is my scar itchy and raised?

Histamine is one of the major causes of scar itchiness. Upon its release, histamine activates nerve fibers in the skin that signal the brain that there is an itch. Another reason why your scar feels tight and itchy is due to the third phase of the wound healing process: proliferation.

How do you dissolve scar tissue naturally?

What is the best thing to use on surgical scars?

Use silicone products

Silicone products, such as silicone sheets and gels, can keep your scar moisturized and help it heal.

Is Vaseline good for surgical scars?

Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.

How long after surgery can you use silicone gel?

You can begin using silicone gel for your scar as soon as your wound is fully healed and there is no more bleeding or scabbing. Generally, it takes about 3 weeks for a wound to fully heal, but this can vary by patient.

How long does scar tissue stay hard?

Initially, the scarring may look minimal, but over 4–6 weeks, the scar may get bigger or become raised, firm, and thick. Over the next 2–3 months, the scar will become smaller and blend in more with the person's skin tone.

What oil is best for scar tissue?

Does vitamin E work for scars?

While vitamin E may help moisturize the skin, research indicates that vitamin E oils and supplements have no notable effect on scars.

What is good to rub on scars?

Medicated Creams or Gels

Corticosteroid cream can help prevent scarring and has been shown to reduce the appearance of scars over time.

How do you tell if a scar is still healing?

Stage 4: Maturation (strengthening)

Even after your wound looks closed and repaired, it's still healing. It might look pink and stretched or puckered. You may feel itching or tightness over the area. Your body continues to repair and strengthen the area.

When can I put Vitamin E on my incision?

Pure Vitamin E oil can be moisturizing and soothing to the surgical area once the incision has closed. Some research even suggests that it improves the appearance of scars. Simply apply the oil to the scar at least once a day for the first eight weeks.