Topical treatments, such as vitamin E, cocoa butter cream, silicone gel,onion extract products, and several commercial skin care products like Vaseline and Aquaphor that are sold over the counter may be somewhat effective in helping to heal scars.
Regularly applying moisturizer to an external scar and massaging it in the direction of the tissue can keep the scar softer and more flexible and it may decrease tissue sensitivity. There are also silicone gel patches that adhere to the skin and can help promote tissue healing.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a well-known natural remedy for healing scar tissue. There are many lotions, oils, and capsules on the market that contain concentrated amounts of Vitamin E. To use this product, simply apply it to the affected area.
One of the most effective methods is called instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM). This technique makes use of metal tools. The tools are designed to fit specific areas of the body, and they allow therapists to apply therapeutic pressure. It's this pressure that helps break up adhesions.
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.
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.
Stretching and pulling the area helps the remodeling process. This stretching allows the collagen to align and return to normal. Remodeling is essential to ensure that your injured tissue regains normal range of motion, strength, and mobility.
Scar massage is a great way to help remodel scar tissue, and is a frequent treatment as part of physical therapy after injury or surgery. Also known as scar mobilization, scar massage can help lessen the appearance of any scar, but it has to be done with a high level of consistency.
During a massage an increase in blood flow occurs, rising the temperature of muscles and tissues. A rise in temperature decreases tissue inelasticity of tissues decreasing restriction and allows the scar tissue to be broken down more easily.
Massage can help to soften and flatten the scar tissue. Scar tissue may stick to the underlying muscles, tendons, blood vessels, nerves and bones. Massage can prevent this from happening and helps to keep the scar tissue flexible. Scars may feel sensitive, tingle or hurt when touched.
Treatments can reduce a scar's size or appearance, but the scar will never completely go away. Some treatments prevent a scar from forming as a wound heals. Scar treatments include: Dermabrasion: A common acne scar treatment, dermabrasion removes the top layer of skin by gently “sanding” the skin.
It is never too late to receive a scar tissue release massage. You may just need a couple of sessions to feel confident and comfortable to do this on yourself at home.
Put the flat part of your fingers on the scar. Move the skin and tissue under the scar back and forth, holding for a few seconds. Make sure you press enough to feel the scar “move” under your fingertips. Move your fingers along to the next section of scar, and repeat until you've massaged all along the scar.
Scars can take up to 1 year to mature fully and go through four stages of healing. This slow process may explain why some people do not experience scar tissue pain immediately. Initially, the scarring may look minimal, but over 4–6 weeks, the scar may get bigger or become raised, firm, and thick.
Every patient and surgery is different but it typically takes about 6-8 weeks for scar tissue to heal. How do you break down scar tissue? To break down scar tissue we first lubricate the affected area with baby oil, lotion, or vitamin E oil.
Heat helps to soften up the scar tissue that exists as a result of an old injury or a previous surgery. Scar tissue is formed in random, criss-crossing patterns, has poor circulation, and contracts when you sleep. Stiff, old scar tissue is not your friend.
Your physical therapist can use various techniques, like massage, taping, or stretching, to decrease scar tissue adhesions and formations so you can restore normal functional mobility.
Be extra careful near sensitive areas such as joints or bony prominences - they may contain more delicate tissue than other places on your body. In addition, avoid overstretching or pressing too deeply into the scar area since this can cause damage to the skin instead of helping it heal properly.
If a patient massages their scar prematurely it could cause the wound to tear or reopen, risking an infection. It's therefore important to advise them to not begin massaging until the wound is fully healed.
Stretching and flexibility exercises are other common ways to help scar tissue repair. It can aid in the lengthening of wounded tissues as well as their general mobility. Your physical therapist is likely to include scar massage and stretches in your rehabilitation regimen if you've had an accident or surgery.
Another great treatment that we have is rapid release technologies vibration therapy. What this does, this vibrates at certain frequency, and helps break up scar tissue adhesions.
Excessive pulling or tension across a healing wound is increasingly implicated as a factor which may increase inflammation and scar formation. An environmental factor that clearly has an effect on the appearance on skin scarring is sunlight exposure.
Massaging your scar(s) twice a day can help to stimulate the repair process and help you connect with the scar emotionally. Wait until your wound has fully healed and allow 4 weeks after any stitches have been removed before you start to apply Bio-Oil.