Undergoing surgery can be a stressful time, as we take into consideration our pre and post-operative plans as well as the surgery itself. When it comes to post-surgery, scarring can be prominent depending on what procedure has been performed. While some scars are inevitable and can’t be avoided, there are methods to minimise the appearance of some scarring during the healing process.
A good surgeon will ensure any incisions they make are discreet. For example, a facelift in London will involve incisions made at the hairline to better cover the scarring. However, sometimes incisions will have to be made elsewhere and won’t always be hidden.
We will explore the risk factors when it comes to scarring after surgery in this guide and offer you useful advice on how to minimise the visibility of your post-operative scars.
How to Reduce the Appearance of Surgical Scars
Use Adhesive Tape
Reducing wound tension by taping scars helps with healing and cosmetic outcomes. Every procedure will differ in terms of how prominent the scars will be and their longevity, but it is recommended to put adhesive tape across your wound for 3-6 months after surgery.
Eat a Healthy Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet is recommended at all times for optimal health, but it is especially helpful with the healing of surgical scars. A diet that’s rich in protein, including meat, fish and eggs will help speed up wound healing after surgery. Adding more vitamin C to your diet in the follow up to and following the surgery will also help
Avoid Sunlight Overexposure
Direct exposure to too much sunlight can slow down the scar healing process and in some cases make the scarring even worse. Skin trauma and inflammation can trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, causing the scar to turn dark brown. If you are going to be in the sun for a long period of time, you should invest in high factor sunscreen to protect it from sun rays.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is always key to health and fitness. Your skin benefits tremendously from keeping yourself hydrated and it is very important for post-surgery healing. Being dehydrated has similar negative effects on the body that alcohol does, so making sure that you drink enough water can ensure that your scars heal quicker. Kshem Yapa advises good hydration upon completion of all his cosmetic procedures.
Massage the Scar with Silicone Gel or Vitamin E
Massaging the skin with a silicone gel like Silagen can improve skin hydration and creates the ideal conditions for normalising collagen production and minimising severe scarring. Using topical vitamin E is a great alternative that can also be massaged into the scarred skin to help it heal.
Final Thoughts
Scarring is very normal with surgery, so you shouldn’t feel disheartened if your scars are prominent for the first couple of months after surgery as they should heal eventually. However, trying the above methods can speed up the process.
Whatever the case, it’s important to listen to and follow your surgeon’s advice for optimum healing after your surgery.