10 Do’s and Don’ts to Prevent Scars. Some people consider their scars to be war wounds – and they have nothing to be ashamed of, but taking care of their wounds can help keep them scar-free. Follow the advice from dermatologists to achieve this.

Scars are a natural part of the body’s healing process. According to the Cleveland Clinic, when skin is damaged by an accident or injury, the body creates new collagen-based tissues to fill those gaps. “Scars form after the healing process because the new collagen created to fill the wound isn’t there,” says Jill Salyards, DO, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Refine Dermatology in Knoxville, Tennessee. texture similar to the surrounding skin. “Most wounds leave a scar to some degree, with the exception of very superficial wounds.”

Not all scars are the same. The type of scar and its final appearance is partly influenced by how the wound is cared for while it heals. The severity of the wound can also determine the extent of healing. “The deeper the wound, the more likely it is to heal,” says Jeremy Brauer, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Spectrum Skin and Laser in Purchase, New York. The scars are usually flat or raised. A normal wound will produce flat scars, which are similar in color to your skin and flatten over time. These scars are less noticeable than keloids, such as keloids and hypertrophic scars, which form from thick tissue and may appear darker and red in color compared to the surrounding skin. Stretch marks are also a type of scar.

Keloids

Keloids can attract unwanted attention and create feelings of insecurity, so some people may want to prevent or minimize them while the wound is still healing. Others may want to improve painful or uncomfortable scars. But preventing scarring is ultimately a personal decision. If your scar isn’t causing unpleasant side effects, such as pain or itching, there’s no reason to worry about treatment. Some people may even be proud of their scars, such as women who have had a cesarean section or others who have experienced serious health problems and consider their scars to be war wounds.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the way you care for your wound can minimize or even prevent scarring if desired. With that in mind, here are 10 do’s and don’ts to prevent new wounds from scarring.

Keep the wound clean

According to the National Library of Medicine, cracked skin from a wound increases the risk of bacterial infection. It will heal in stages, and dermatologists recommend keeping the wound clean during the procedure.

“As soon as the wound appears, it needs to be kept clean,” says Dr. Salyards. Your first instinct might be to grab a bottle of hydrogen peroxide or another disinfectant, but she says that can actually make the scar worse. “Hydrogen peroxide can increase inflammation and destroy healing skin, increasing scarring,” she explains. According to a 2019 review published in the Open Global Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, disinfectants such as rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide can kill skin tissue and should not be used to clean wounds. love.

Dr. Brauer suggests continuing to clean the wound until it is completely healed. Don’t overthink it – the AAD recommends keeping the wound clean with mild soap and water. The Cleveland Clinic also says soap and water are best, adding that you should wash and dry your hands first. 

Don’t wait too long to get stitched

Medical intervention is not always necessary for the wound to heal, but depending on the severity of the injury, you may benefit from suturing. Scars form after a wound heals and stitches can help close and heal the wound faster. According to the AAD, they can also help minimize the appearance of scars.

You may want to wait to see if deep cuts heal on their own before stitching them up, but dermatologists advise against doing so. “If stitches are required, they should be stitched as soon as possible on the wound,” says Aanand N. Geria, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Geria Dermatology in Rutherford, New Jersey. just appeared. “If left for too long, germs or bacteria can build up in the wound and the dermatologist may decide not to suture because of the risk of infection.”

If you’re not sure if you need stitches, Dr. Geria recommends seeing your doctor right away for further evaluation.

Keep the wound moist

Brauer says: After cleaning the wound, keep it moist to avoid scarring. “In general, any emollient like kerosene will slow down scab formation,” he says. According to a previous study, keeping the wound moist reduces scar formation compared to treating it in a dry environment. Many studies have been done on moist, moist, and dry healing methods for scar formation, and moist or moist therapy has been shown to provide the fastest wound healing and the least scarring, according to reviews. of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Salyards recommends: “Moisturize with kerosene and cover. “This should be continued until the open wound is completely healed with new skin or until the suture is removed.”

Don’t shoot in the wound

In general, dermatologists recommend not scratching your skin under any circumstances. Whether it’s an active rash or a new one, prying it up seems to make things worse. According to the AAD, it can make acne and scarring worse.

In addition to picking, avoid scratching or handling newly formed sores or scabs. “Immersion of the wound during the healing process leads to increased inflammation and scarring,” says Salyards. It can also increase your risk of getting bacteria on your hands.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, some people with dermatillomania are compulsively scratching their skin, but this can lead to damage, infection, and scarring. Peeling can cause old wounds to reopen, ultimately slowing healing.

So let your skin recover naturally. You should only touch the wound with clean hands and only when you need to clean and moisturize the wound or change the dressing.

Use Bandages

The bandage is in direct contact with the wound. It helps to protect the wound, keep it moist and prevent the wound from coming into contact with the surrounding environment. According to the Mayo Clinic, dressings such as bandages and gauze help keep wounds clean and should be changed frequently. According to the National Library of Medicine, some dressings remove wound exudate and dead tissue when changed. Brauer recommends: “Cover the wound with a bandage with a non-stick surface. “Do not expose the wound to air or allow it to dry.” However, the bandage may use glue or adhesive to stick to the surrounding skin.

According to the AAD, wearing a bandage is also beneficial for putting pressure on the wound, recommending pressure therapy to reduce and prevent scarring. 

Don’t Skip Sunscreen

Ideally, everyone should wear sunscreen daily. It protects against skin cancer and sun damage, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. If you’re treating a recent wound and want to reduce potential scarring, dermatologists recommend getting more serious about sun protection.

“Using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily and reapplying every two hours outside is a general recommendation,” says Salyards. “Using sunscreen can be effective in preventing scarring,” Brauer suggests going a step further and keeping the area completely sun-free.

Basically, protecting the scar from the sun can help the scar fade faster. If you’ve ever had a tan, you know the process of sun tan and scarring is no exception. According to a previous study, protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays reduces the production of hyperpigmented scars caused by a pigment called melanin.

The AAD recommends choosing a waterproof, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for daily use. Other ways to protect skin from harmful UV rays include finding shade, wearing sun-protective clothing, and avoiding indoor tanning beds.

Use silicone scar patches

Although kerosene and vitamin E have not been shown to reduce scarring, according to the National Library of Medicine, silicone gels and sheets are effective in reducing scarring. Other options can still be helpful in keeping open wounds moist, but the dermatologists we spoke with recommend switching to silicone sheets to prevent scarring after the wound has healed.

“Silicone scar sheets can help prevent or improve new scars if used immediately after an injury,” says Geria, adding that it is important to use them within the first year of scarring. appear. Then they may not be as effective. So don’t waste time.

The effectiveness of silicone gels and gel sheets is nothing new. According to a previous review, they remain the healthcare professionals’ top priority treatment for scar management. A 2020 meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Wounds found that silicone gels significantly reduced scar pigmentation and height, with patches being similarly effective. “It is recommended to use a gel or silicone scar patch on the wound after the wound has healed, as it has been shown to be effective in preventing scarring,” says Salyards. “When used continuously for 2-3 months, silicone has been shown to be effective in preventing and improving the appearance of scars.”

Don’t overload the area

According to the Cleveland Clinic, if you have a new scar, try not to move the area around too much. “Stay there,” Geria said. “As a scar moves, it changes its shape and turns it into a thicker or wider scar,” he explains. “Do your best to help the wound heal by not working too hard in this area.”

What you can do instead is gently massage the scar. “Gentle massage at first can have a huge impact on wound healing, especially during the first year,” says Geria, adding that it helps break down tissues that can lead to to thick scars. According to a 2020 review in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, more research is needed but massage therapy can reduce pain and reduce the thickness of hypertrophic and burn scars. 

Be careful with scar creams and topical products

Before you get your hands on the best-selling scar creams, think twice. Some dermatologists are skeptical of their usefulness. “Not all scar creams are created equal,” says Salyards. His recommendation is generally to use silicone sheets instead of scar creams. If you want to use a scar cream, choose a silicone gel cream. According to a 2020 trial published in the Expanded Global Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, silicone gels and silicone scar patches were found to be equally effective. According to a 2020 review published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery, both significantly improve scar outcomes, while evidence remains lacking for other topical scar treatments.

Don’t have unrealistic expectations.

Wounds take time to heal and the scars left behind also take time to fade. You will need to be patient and set realistic expectations for the appearance and potential improvement of your scar.

Even if you do everything right – keep the wound clean and moist, use silicone scar patches, apply sunscreen, etc. – some factors are beyond your control. According to one review, some people are more prone to keloids, such as those with darker skin.

A scar is also difficult to completely disappear. The scars are permanent, although some fade over time. If scars bother you, some treatments can help make them less noticeable.

Go for scar treatment

Preventing wounds is the best way to prevent scarring, but active wound care is the next best thing. Keep your wound clean and moist by washing it with warm soapy water and using a bandage like a gauze. Once the damaged skin has healed, replace the dressing with a silicone gel sheet, which is the gold standard for minimizing new scarring. With consistent use, you can see improvements within a few months. Over time, scars will naturally fade on their own. However, keloids do not go away. Depending on the type of scar, treatments with a dermatologist may be helpful. According to John Hopkins Medicine, there are the following scar treatments:

• laser
• skin grinding
• chemical mask
• Injections of collagen or steroids
• surgical modification
• cryosurgery
• Skin grafts

Talk to your dermatologist to determine the right scar treatment for you 바카라사이트.