Don’t let the fear of getting scarred for life stop you from getting plastic surgery to achieve your dream body!
If you are concerned about how your scar will look after it heals, here are some tips to minimize its appearance and avoid bad surgical scars:
Practice good incision hygiene.
It doesn’t matter if your incision is from a lower body lift or large volume liposuction. You should keep your incision areas clean with soap and water until it has healed completely.
Don’t pick at or scratch your incision site!
Bacteria from your hands might get into the area where the stitches are placed, leading to bleeding and infection. Just let nature take its course and heal your incisions naturally.
Avoid smoking before and during recovery.
Nicotine constricts small blood vessels, causing them to become smaller than they usually would be. As a result, less oxygen gets delivered to damaged tissue, making it harder for wounds to heal correctly.
Keep your bandages dry.
Moisture encourages bacterial growth, so make sure that your dressing stays dry. Use plastic wrap instead of gauze when possible.
Massage your incision site.
Gently massage the affected areas using circular motions to encourage blood flow. Take care not to rub your incisions, as it causes friction between layers of skin, leading to more irritation and inflammation.
Wear loose-fitting clothing while recovering.
Tight clothes restrict movement and increase pressure over bony prominences such as knees and elbows. Loose-fitting garments also allow air circulation around your incision site, keeping it cooler and reducing swelling.
Wear sunscreen.
Exposing your new scar to the sun can make its appearance darker and more noticeable. Cover your incision scars with sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 35 when going out.
Apply silicone gel.
Silicone gels, creams, and sheets contain vitamins A and E that reduce the appearance of scars. These are available over-the-counter, or you can ask your surgeon to prescribe you medical-grade products for a more effective scar reduction.
Following your plastic surgeon’s instructions is a surefire way to ensure good scar healing. But if all else fails, you can explore laser therapy and scar revision surgery. Ask your surgeon about it!