Scars may form after surgery, injury or a skin problem such as acne.

The following advice can be followed to assist the skin in good wound healing:

• Don’t soak the wound in water or get it wet for extended periods; doing so breaks down the scab and impairs the formation of new skin below.
• Keep the damaged skin clean using a gentle cleanser, but don’t over clean or scrub it. This can be done with detol or savlon mixed in cooled down boiled water or by using hibitane in water that can be bought from a pharmacy.
• If there is a risk of infection , apply antibiotic ointment on the suture line until the suture line has sealed itself.
• While the sutures are still in the skin, massage the area lightly. This will encourage the blood flow to the area, which will help the healing process.
• You may also apply steri-strips to the wound edges to relieve tension form the wound edges, since any tension of a wound causes widening of the scar due to more scar tissue formation.
• Once the sutures are removed, start massaging the scars lightly, and as the scars heal you will need to begin massaging more vigorously. You may use any aqueous cream or scar treatment cream.
• Scar treatment creams are available in this practice (may be included for specific operations)
• Apply sun block over the suture line for the first 6 months to prevent the scars from becoming too dark or light.

If you have any queries please phone Dr Greyvensteyn’s rooms on 064 411 3928.