In time, some collagen breaks down at the site of the wound and the blood supply reduces. The scar gradually becomes smoother and softer. Although scars are permanent, they can fade over a period of up to 2 years. It's unlikely they'll fade any more after this time.
All cuts will heal with a scar, however, the scar will be less noticeable if good care is given to the wound when it is healing. During the first 6 to 8 weeks after the injury, the scar will change from a thick, red raised scar to a thinner, paler, more flexible one. Scars can take up to 2 years to fully mature.
Many factors are blamed for causing suture marks, ranging from factors beyond the surgeon's control – such as keloid tendency, skin type or body site – to more controllable variables such as suture material, suture size, surgical technique, and the timing of suture removal.
However, stitches often leave behind marks along with a scar on the affected area of the skin. This is because the natural arrangement of the skin cells gets disrupted because of the cut or injury and the healing process does not restore the skin to its former state completely.
A scar is a mark left on the skin after a wound or injury has healed. Scars are a natural part of the healing process. Most will fade and become paler over time, although they never completely disappear.
Best overall: Mederma Advanced Scar Gel. Best for surgical scars: Scaraway Clear Silicone Scar Sheets. Best natural treatment: Derma E Scar Gel. Best for stretch marks: Honeydew Concealing Cream.
Most surgical incisions will take approximately 2 weeks to heal and be considered closed. However, the overall length of time for the scar to heal is 9-12 months. This is the time it takes for any scar to mature into a pale and flat scar.
"Stitches can be left in too long," warns Dr. Yaakovian. "When this happens, the skin can grow over the stitches — making removal more difficult. It can also lead to more scarring."
A newer method of closure is Dermabond -- or a competing product, Indermil. These glue-like materials eliminate cross tracks and stitch marks and do away with painful suture removal. It has been slow to catch on with plastic surgeons, perhaps because of their reluctance to give up their signature closure techniques!
Bio-Oil helps to improve the appearance of new or old scars; whether from surgery, accidents, burns, insect bites, scratches or conditions such as acne or chickenpox. Although younger scars will have a greater chance of improvement, studies have shown that older scars also benefit from regular use of Bio-Oil.
If you have sutures (stitches): -Apply Vaseline or Aquaphor healing ointment to the sutured site 3-4x/ day for the next three to four days. The ointment will help the wound heal more quickly and minimize scarring.
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil is formulated to help improve the appearance of scars, but it can never remove them.
Always wait until the wound, injury, or initial concern has healed before applying scar care products. Once your skin has healed, build up your scar care to help reduce the redness and visibility of your scar.
Scar creams are an effective way to reduce the appearance of scars, but they won't work overnight. In some cases, it may take several weeks or even months to see a noticeable difference in your skin. So, be patient and keep using your scar cream faithfully to achieve the best results.
To help the injured skin heal, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist. Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.
You may have swelling and bruising after your procedure.
In time, some collagen breaks down at the site of the wound and the blood supply reduces. The scar gradually becomes smoother and softer. Although scars are permanent, they can fade over a period of up to 2 years. It's unlikely they'll fade any more after this time.
Topic Overview. Cuts may slice off several layers of skin. As long as some of the layers of skin are still in place, new skin will form in the bottom of the wound and along the wound edges.
“Usually the scars will heal rather quickly - within the course of a few weeks to one or two months - but you may not see final results for up to a year. Individual factors also influence how quickly your body is able to recover from a wound.” In older patients, or where the skin is more lax, scars settle more rapidly.
To help your scar mature it is recommended that you massage and moisturise your scar.