Key facts. All sutures (stitches) will heal with a scar, however the scar will be less noticeable if good care is given to the wound when it is healing. Keep the wound clean and dry, and follow your doctor or nurse's care instructions.
Using stitches helps the cut heal and reduces scarring. The doctor may also have called in a specialist, such as a plastic surgeon, to close the cut. If the cut went deep and through the skin, the doctor may have put in two layers of stitches. The deeper layer brings the deep part of the cut together.
In some individuals, the scars can actually overgrow the edges of the wounds and get larger, rather than smaller, with time. Such healing scars are known as keloids. They tend to occur most frequently in individuals with darker and thicker skin. Fortunately, though, most people do not develop keloids.
Initially after surgery incisions will often appear to be raised and more red than is desirable. Don't worry, they will eventually flatten and the redness will generally fade.
Don't Wait Too Long to Get Stitches
Scars form after the wound is healed, and getting stitches can help close and heal the wound quicker. They may also help minimize the appearance of scarring, per the AAD.
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.
The scar may look red or purple in colour or be raised; however, will fade to light pink, white or be nearly invisible over time. This may take up to two years. Sun damage can make the scar darker and more visible. You can help protect against a darker scar by using sunscreen on the healed wound for at least 12 months.
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.
Normal fine-line scars
A minor wound like a cut will usually heal to leave a raised line, which will gradually fade and flatten over time. This process can take up to 2 years. The scar will not disappear completely and you'll be left with a visible mark or line.
Scar Healing
Although the initial skin scar may be minimal, the scar will often enlarge and become more reddened over the following 4-6 weeks. An active scar is typically red, raised, firm and thick. Sometimes this change can be confused with infection.
A keloid scar is when a scar keeps growing and becomes bigger than the original wound. It can happen if you have too much of a substance called collagen in your skin. It can happen after any sort of injury or damage to your skin such as a cut, burn, surgery, acne or a body piercing.
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.
What Do You Apply to a Wound Once The Stitches Have Been Removed? Daily, wash the wound with soap and water and pat it dries gently. Contamination-prone areas (such as hands) should be cleaned more often. For 5-7 days, cover regions prone to contamination or re-injury, such as the knees, elbows, hands, or chin.
These are the usual time periods: stitches on your head – you'll need to return after 3 to 5 days. stitches over joints, such as your knees or elbows – you'll need to return after 10 to 14 days. stitches on other parts of your body – you'll need to return after 7 to 10 days.
Wait until your wound has fully healed and allow 4 weeks after any stitches have been removed before you start to apply Bio-Oil. To apply, massage in a small amount until it has been fully absorbed. You need to be dedicated and ensure you regularly massage and moisturise your scar twice a day for at least 3 months.
Scars and skin creams
Vitamin E cream is sometimes recommended for managing scars, but there's no medical evidence to suggest it has an effect. But massaging a moisturiser like E45 into the scar will stop it becoming dry and help make it supple.
To help your scar mature it is recommended that you massage and moisturise your scar.
Adhesives have a lower risk of scarring. Sedation isn't needed when adhesives are used.
The presence of debris, bacteria or other impurities in open skin can trigger infection and extend the inflammation period. Hultman says prolonged inflammation enhances scar formation. That's why it's essential to clean the wound carefully, with professional help if necessary.
Keep the wound bandaged and dry for the first day. After the first day, wash around the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage.
What are the signs of a scar? When a scar first develops on lighter skin, it's usually pink or red. Over time, the pinkish color fades, and the scar becomes slightly darker or lighter than the color of the skin.
One tip for taking care of scars is to use a topical ointment. Cocoa butter cream and Vaseline are most often used to help reduce the appearance of scars. Applying the ointment daily will help heal scars but will not make them invisible.
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!