Whenever your skin is injured, whether by accident or from surgery, your body works to repair the wound. When your skin has healed, a scar may form, as this is a normal part of the healing process.
Here are dermatologists' advice to reduce the appearance of scars from injuries such as the skin of the knees or deep scratches. Dermatologists at the American Academy of Dermatology recommend following these tips..
How to reduce the scar?
The appearance of the scar often depends on how well the wound has healed. While it is difficult to avoid scars from surgery or over joints such as knees and elbows, scars from minor cuts and scrapes can be made less noticeable by treating the wound properly at home.
Here are dermatologists' tips to reduce the appearance of scars from deep cuts or scrapes:
1. Keep the wound clean
Always keep the cut, scrape, or other skin injury clean. Gently wash the area with mild soap and water to keep germs and debris away.
2. Use the ointment
To help the affected skin heal, use an ointment to keep the wound moist. The ointment prevents the wound from drying out and the formation of a crust; Wounds that have crusts take longer to heal.
This will also help prevent the scar from becoming too large, deep, or itchy. As long as the wound is cleaned daily, there is no need to use antibacterial ointments.
3. Use a bandage or adhesive bandage
After cleaning the wound and applying petroleum jelly or a similar ointment, cover the skin with an adhesive bandage.
For large scrapes, sores, burns, or persistent redness, hydrogel or silicone gel may be helpful.
4. Changing and caring for the bandage
Change the dressing daily to keep the wound clean while it heals. If your skin is sensitive to adhesives, try a non-stick gauze pad with paper tape.
If using silicone gel or hydrogel, follow the directions on the package for changing.
5. If stitches are required
If your injury requires stitches, follow a doctor's advice about how to care for the wound and when to remove the stitches.
This may help reduce the appearance of the scar.
6. Use sunscreen
Apply sunscreen to the wound after it has healed. Sun protection may help reduce red or brown discoloration and help the scar fade faster.
Always use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply frequently.
Summary
If you have minor cuts or scrapes, you can help reduce the appearance of the scar by properly treating the injury at home.
However, if your injury is deep or very painful or if your skin becomes infected, seek immediate medical attention.