With your daily life getting hectic, it’s unavoidable to experience some minor accidents. This could lead to injuries, cuts, and a few blisters here and there. Whatever activity you’re doing, whether you’re slicing proteins, riding the bicycle, or running to catch up with your toddler, there will be possibilities for you to hurt your skin. Hence, such instances trigger the appearance of scars. Although, there’s no need to worry as there are viable ways to decrease their degree of permanence.
The appearance of scars on the skin is part of the healing process. Therefore, it’s an unavoidable recurrence every time you experience cuts and blisters. Depending on how deep or grave these cuts are, some wounds take longer to heal, leading to scars that are harder to remove.
Read on to learn more crucial ways to prevent scars.
Consult Your Doctor
Approaching your doctor might be the best option if you experience more extensive wounds and more prominent scars. They could better evaluate and assess the severity of your skin condition and find more effective treatments. If you have deeper scars, there are several options available. Your dermatologist might recommend one of the following:
- Light Therapy: Commonly compared with laser or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapies, Red Light Therapy (RLT) retains its unique characteristic compared to the former treatment. While lasers work to damage the skin’s outer surface so it can induce tissue repair. On the other hand, red light therapy doesn’t have that step and jumps right into focusing on the skin’s regeneration. Nearly 5 millimeters of light are transmitted through the skin by RLT.
- Dermabrasion: This reduces the mark of the scars by exfoliating the skin. Wire brushes or diamond wheels are used by dermatologists to remove the top layer of skin over scars. You could see definite effective results once your skin has been treated. However, this procedure might not be suitable for sensitive skin.
- Laser Treatment: The laser treatment removes the outer layer of your skin using concentrated beams of light. A scar can’t be removed entirely, but its appearance could be lessened. You need to ask your doctor about this treatment to ensure it’s the most fitting for your scar.
Treat Injuries As Soon As Possible
Your body repairs the damage when your skin is injured, whether through an accident or an operation. A scar’s appearance is often influenced by the speed at which the wound heals. Some scars fade quickly because the injuries are lighter and shallow on your skin. However, some need a longer time to heal and recover.
You should treat a cut immediately with basic first aid to prevent scarring. If a wound is severe, stitches may be necessary, and medical attention is often needed. Whether you or your children get injured in minor accidents, here are some tips you could follow:
- Keep your skin injury clean at all times, so wash it with water and mild soap, but don’t let the soap directly contact the wound.
- Apply some scarring cream or ointment to help prevent scars, and cover the wound with a bandage.
- Ensure to clean your wound at all times and renew the bandage daily.
- Your doctor will advise you when to remove the stitches and how to care for the wound if your injury requires further stitches.
Use Silicone Gel Sheets
Gel sheets made of silicone are solid and soft at the same time. Sheets contain an adhesive on one side, making it easy to attach them to the skin. These sheets are breathable and can pass oxygen and moisture. Scars are treated with the sheet to reduce collagen production.
There are many benefits to using them until there is no remaining scab. With this application, the scar tissue is prevented from growing excessively. Gel sheets are also known for flattening and softening scars, reducing redness, increasing skin flexibility, reducing itching and pain, and minimizing scar size.
Furthermore, silicone gel sheeting is effective at healing scars because it transfers tension from the wound edges to the silicone gel sheets. When this tension is reduced gently, normal scarring can occur, and the risk of abnormal scarring and keloid formation can be reduced substantially.
Also, silicone adhesives are your best protection from cloth and outer bacteria that can attach to the wound’s moist surface. Because of its adhesive side, it could work as a band-aid too. They stick longer to be comfortable and relaxed, knowing your blisters are well-covered.
Conclusion
Scarring is a natural part of the healing process after an injury. Eventually, scars fade, but they never disappear entirely. If you treat your wound with first aid, you have the best chance of preventing scars. You must go to the doctor as soon as possible if you’ve sustained a deep wound that requires stitches. Also, consult which treatment is most suitable for your skin type.