Caring for your scar

Any cut through the full thickness of the skin heals with a scar. This includes excisions, biopsies with stitches, and other skin surgery. How a scar looks depends on its site, your skin type, your age and your genes, as well as on how it is cared for.

What is normal

• At first, a scar is often pink or red, slightly raised, and firm.
• It may feel itchy, tight or numb. Numbness can take months to improve.
• Scars slowly flatten, soften and fade over 12 to 18 months.
• Scars on the chest, shoulders, upper back and upper arms are more likely to stretch or thicken.

Start once the wound has closed

Begin when the stitches are out and there is no scab or open area. This is usually 1 to 3 weeks after surgery.

1. Protect it from the sun

New scars darken easily in the sun.

• Cover the scar with clothing or a hat, or apply SPF 50+ sunscreen every day.
• Keep this up for at least 12 months.

2. Silicone gel or silicone sheets

Silicone keeps the scar hydrated and can help it stay flat and soft.

• Use silicone gel (a thin layer, once or twice a day) or silicone sheets (worn for as long as you can, ideally 12 hours a day or more).
• Use it for at least 2 to 3 months.
• You can buy these from a pharmacy without a prescription.

3. Paper tape for scars under tension

For scars on the back, chest or shoulders, wearing paper tape (such as Micropore) along the scar can reduce stretching.

• Apply it across the scar and change it once or twice a week, or when it falls off.
• Wear it for about 6 to 12 weeks.

4. Massage

• From about 4 weeks after surgery, gently massage the scar with a plain moisturiser for a few minutes, once or twice a day.
• Use firm, slow circles. It should not be painful.

5. Go easy on stretching

Avoid heavy lifting and stretching the area for the first 6 weeks, especially for scars on the back and shoulders.

Things to avoid

• Vitamin E creams and many “scar creams” have little evidence behind them, and some can irritate the skin.
• Do not pick or scratch the scar.

When to talk to us

• The scar keeps getting thicker, raised or wider after the first few months.
• It spreads beyond the edges of the original wound (this can be a keloid).
• It is very itchy or painful.
• It feels tight and limits movement, for example over a joint.
• You notice a lump, a sore that does not heal, or a new spot in or near the scar.

There are treatments for thick or troublesome scars. Please book an appointment to discuss them.