When your skin is harmed, whether by accident or as a result of surgery, your body attempts to heal the wound. A scar may appear while your skin heals, as this is a normal part of the healing process.
The way a scar looks is often determined by how effectively the wound heals. While scars from surgery or over joints such as the knees and elbows are difficult to avoid, scars from minor cuts and scrapes can be reduced in appearance by treating the wound appropriately at home.
Here are some suggestions from dermatologists for decreasing the look of scars caused by traumas like skinned knees or deep scratches:
1. Always keep your cut, scrape or other skin injury clean. Gently wash the area with mild soap and water to keep out germs and remove debris.
2. 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. As long as the wound is cleaned daily, it is not necessary to use anti-bacterial ointments.
3. After cleaning the wound and applying petroleum jelly or a similar ointment, cover the skin with an adhesive bandage. For large scrapes, sores, burns or persistent redness, it may be helpful to use hydrogel or silicone gel sheets.
4. Change your bandage daily to keep the wound clean while it heals. If you have skin that is sensitive to adhesives, try a non-adhesive gauze pad with paper tape. If using silicone gel or hydrogel sheets, follow the instructions on the package for changing the sheets.
5. If your injury requires stitches, follow your doctor’s advice on how to care for the wound and when to get the stitches removed. This may help minimize the appearance of a scar.
6. Apply sunscreen to the wound after it has healed. Sun protection may help reduce red or brown discoloration and help the scar fade faster. Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply frequently.
If you have minor cuts or scrapes, carefully treating the injury at home can help to lessen the appearance of a scar. If your wound is deep and severe, or if your skin becomes infected, seek medical attention right once.