When we injure our skin, our body’s natural healing response is to close the wound and form new skin over it, sometimes leaving a scar. While most of the time you shouldn’t really have to “do” anything to help aid the healing process, there are some steps you can take to help the skin heal in a way that won’t leave as noticeable of a scar. Here are our tips to help minimize scarring left behind by minor injuries such as cuts and scrapes.
- Always keep your cut, scrape, or other skin injury clean. Gently wash the area with mild soap and water to prevent infection and remove debris.
- To aid in healing, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist. This prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab, which can prolong healing. It also helps prevent the scar from becoming too large, deep, or itchy. Daily cleaning of the wound makes antibacterial ointments unnecessary.
- After cleaning the wound and applying petroleum jelly or a similar ointment, cover it with an adhesive bandage. For larger scrapes, sores, burns, or persistent redness, consider using hydrogel or silicone gel sheets.
- Change your bandage daily to maintain cleanliness during healing. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a non-adhesive gauze pad with paper tape. Follow the package instructions for changing silicone gel or hydrogel sheets.
- If stitches are required, follow your doctor’s instructions for wound care and stitch removal to help minimize scarring.
- Apply sunscreen to the wound once it has healed. Sun protection can reduce red or brown discoloration and help the scar fade faster. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and reapply frequently.
For minor cuts or scrapes, proper at-home treatment can help reduce scarring. However, you should seek immediate medical care for deep, very painful injuries or if an infection develops. The above recommendations are also not meant to apply to surgical scars. If you are seeking to reduce the appearance of a surgical scar, we do have some options that might help you such as silagen gel which can be purchased in our office.
The information presented in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns, please call our office or make an appointment with a medical professional. Savannah River Dermatology is located at 575 Furys Ferry Rd in Augusta, Ga. Our office can be reached at 706-691-7079.
