This is the big question you may be faced with after suffering an injury. From a cut to surgery to a burn, there is always a chance a wound can scar, especially if you don’t take good care of it. Sometimes scarring is inevitable in the case of surgical or other deep cuts, but there are ways to minimize how pronounced it gets.
In general, it’s tough to know if a wound will scar when it first happens, so here’s what to keep in mind.
Penetration of the Dermis
A wound will likely become a scar if the trauma has gone deep enough to penetrate the middle layer of the skin, also known as the dermis. Damage to this layer triggers the wound healing response, whereby collagen fibers and other types of connective tissue join forces to repair the skin that has been damaged.
The scar that appears later may look raised or discolored in the case of keloids and hypertrophic scars, which form due to an overproduction of collagen. This buildup forms an area that differs in height, texture and color from the undamaged skin around it. Usually due to genetics, these types of scars can also form as part environmental factors. If infection interrupts the healing process, there is a good chance the scar will look abnormal. If you are a smoker or drinker, this can negatively impact wound healing.
Surface Wounds
That being said, not all wounds become scars. If the wound occurred to the top layer of skin, also known as the epidermis, formation of scar tissue is unlikely. Paper cuts, pimples, minor cuts, and scratches are all surface injuries that are unlikely to result in scars. You can minimize the risk by properly cleaning the wound with soap and water, and then covering it with a bandage. Cut out smoking and drinking as the wound heals as well.
Scar Prevention Tips
A big factor in whether a wound will scar or not will depend on how well you care for it during the early stages. Follow these tips to minimize scarring risk.
- Avoid injuries in the first place. Take proper precautions to avoid injuries by wearing safety equipment when physically active during work or sports, such as knee and elbow pads.
- Treat injuries immediately. As soon as a cut happens, treat it with basic first aid. If you have a serious wound, seek medical help to get it stitched up.
- Keep the injury site clean. Clean the wound daily with soap and water, and remove debris build-up as needed.
- Use petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment. Keeping the wound moist will reduce the chances of getting a scab. That’s because wounds with scabs take longer to heal.
- Cover the wound. Keep the area covered with a bandage so it doesn’t get re-injured or infected.
- Use silicone sheets, gels, or tapes. Use Scarfade gel or sheets to improve your scar’s appearance.
- Change the bandage daily. Change the bandage every day and replace with a new one. This will allow you to check on the progress of the wound and make sure it’s healing properly.
- Don’t pick scabs. This will reduce irritation and bleeding, and will prevent bacteria from causing an infection.
Trust Scarfade Today
We are eager to show you exactly how Scarfade works to lessen the pronounced appearance of your scars. Call now at 800-771-2215 or browse our products online.