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. See your GP to get the stitches removed at the right time and for follow-up care.
The healing process
They will fall off once the wound is healed or when the sutures are removed. A slight ooze may occur when the suturing is removed. This is normal. It is normal for the scar to be red in colour initially, but this will fade over the next few months.
Suture marks
Some scars have crossing lines from were stitches were inserted. These are more likely if the stitch material was thick (sometimes necessary for stitches on the back) or if the skin was stretched tightly to close the wound.
But even after stitching, sometimes the skin does not go back to its original state and leaves a scar. Also, not everyone's skin reacts in the same way to stitches. Some people get scars as a result of the healing process.
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.
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.
Steri-stips and scar pads help reduce tension on the scars and the occlusion/compression from the scar pad can help prevent the formation of a hypertrophic scar or keloid.
Most types should start to dissolve or fall out within a week or two, although it may be a few weeks before they disappear completely.
Once there is no more scab and the wound is visibly closed (which means that the skin has healed) you can start caring for your scar with topical creams or oils.
Steri-Strips are typically used for cuts or wounds that aren't too severe, or for minor surgery. They help seal wounds by pulling the two sides of the skin together without making any contact with the actual wound. This reduces the chance of introducing any bacteria or other substances into the cut.
Steri-Strips: You can wash or shower with Steri-Strips in place. Clean the area with mild soap and water and gently pat dry with a clean towel or cloth. Do not pull, tug or rub Steri-Strips. The Steri-Strips will fall off on their own within two weeks.
For new scars if applied after the wound is closed, Bepanthen Scar Treatment helps to prevent the formation of a red and raised scars. For older scars, that are already red and raised, Bepanthen Scar Treatment helps to smooth, soften and flatten existing scars and reduce the redness and itching.
We recommend applying Bio-Oil Skincare Oil to your scar as soon as the skin is fully healed. This is known as the 'maturation' or 'remodelling' phase of scar formation. Remember that for best results to be seen, Bio-Oil Skincare Oil should be applied twice daily for a minimum of three months.
While one cannot exclude the effects of some of the ingredients used in the products, several studies are reported in this review that demonstrates that moisturization is a key component to reducing the clinical signs and symptoms of scars and striae.
First, dissolvable sutures are more likely to cause scarring because they do not dissolve for 60 days, whereas nonabsorbable sutures can be removed within 14 days. In areas of the body where scarring is a concern, nonabsorable sutures can sometimes be removed in seven days.
Subcuticular sutures
Apposition of the wound edge is easily achieved using the subcuticular continuous suture. Minimal scarring occurs because external sutures are not used.
After 48 hours, surgical wounds can get wet without increasing the risk of infection. After this time, you can get your stitches wet briefly with a light spray (such as in the shower), but they should not be soaked (for example, in the bath). Make sure you pat the area dry afterwards.
Removing Steri-Strips early can cause wound dehiscence , a surgical complication where the edges of a wound no longer meet, causing unsightly scarring and increasing the risk of infection.
Keep your stitches or staples dry and covered with a bandage. Non-absorbable stitches and staples need to be kept dry for 1 to 2 days. Absorbable stitches sometimes need to be kept dry longer. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep your stitches dry.
Bio oil is a great way to help minimise the signs of scarring following surgery, but it's important to listen to your surgeon's advice on when to use it as this may vary depending on the procedure you've had.
[8,9] Silicon gel exerts several actions which may explain this benefit in scars: It increases hydration of stratum corneum and thereby facilitates regulation of fibroblast production and reduction in collagen production. It results into softer and flatter scar.
Because dissolvable stitches may create more scarring than nondissolvable ones do, they're most often used internally rather than externally. Dissolvable stitches are designed to disintegrate on their own, over a specific amount of time. They're made of ingredients that absorb readily into skin.