How to Prevent and Reduce Scars

Scars are a sign of an external wound that has healed. The wound itself can be caused by an accident, surgery, disease, acne, or sharp objects being scratched. To prevent and reduce the appearance of scars, it is recommended to treat the wound well until the wound is fully healed. Naturally, the body will try to repair body tissue that has been injured. After tissue repair is complete and the wound has healed, another problem that can arise is the scar. Having a scar may not be a problem for some people, but others feel that the scar can interfere with physical appearance. Factors that affect the formation of scars are associated with how the wound is treated during the healing process. To prevent and reduce the appearance of scars, the following treatments can be done.

• Clean the wound

Clean the wound immediately using cold water. When cleaning the wound, also use sterilized tweezers to remove debris or gravel from the wound. Afterwards, wash around the wound area using soft soap and wash with a dry cloth.

• Pay attention to the cleaning agent used

Avoid cleaning wounds using hard soap, such as hydrogen peroxide, iodine, and alcohol. Because, these substances will only slow down the wound healing process. Hydrogen peroxide can even cause irritation to the wound and slow down the healing process.

• Apply the petroleum gel to the wound

To keep the wound moist, apply the petroleum gel to the wound. By applying petroleum gel, the formation of scabs can be avoided. In addition, the wound that has formed into sores will require a longer healing time.

• Protect the wound with a bandage

After the wound is cleaned and smeared with petroleum gel or other ointment, it is recommended to cover the wound with a bandage. Don't forget to change the bandage every day so that the wound remains clean during the healing process.

• Do not pry or peel off the scabs

If the wound has formed a scab, don't scrape or peel the scab using your hands or nails. This will only make the bacteria enter and make the wound expand.

• Avoid sun exposure

Avoid scars from sun exposure to reduce the risk of discoloration in the wound. It is recommended to use a sunscreen cream with SPF 30 to reduce the risk of discoloration while helping scars fade faster.

• Massage the wound using vitamin E

Massaging the wound using vitamin E can make the scars fade

Taking good care of open wounds is a way to prevent and reduce the appearance of scars. As a first preventive measure, do wound care using a special ointment to remove scars. Medical treatments such as steroid injections, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, silicidal press pads and lasers can also be an option. Consult this matter with a dermatologist first.