When to Start Using Scar Cream After Surgery - A Comprehensive Guide

Treating surgical scars should begin as soon as possible. The earlier you begin treating the appearance of your scars, the better chance you have of promoting an ideal scar appearance long term. However, you cannot start scar treatments immediately after surgery, though there are precautions you can take. Here is your comprehensive guide to understanding scar cream after surgery.

Immediately After Surgery

In the days and weeks right after surgery, the incision needs to close and heal. To minimize scarring, your surgeon may take certain steps during and after surgery. This could include specialized suturing techniques, the use of protective coverings, and surgical tape. Depending on the surgery, your surgeon may also avoid closures such as staples which may produce more noticeable scarring in patients prone to certain forms of scars.

As a patient, your surgeon will provide instructions for after surgery, many of which are geared toward minimizing future scarring. Precautions that may help reduce scarring include:

• Limiting and avoiding stress on the incisions
• Keeping the scars out of the sun, especially in the early stages of healing
• Massage the area if instructed
• Avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting
• Prevent the area from getting wet
• Wear loose, comfortable, and breathable clothing over the scarred area

Based on your procedure and medical history, your surgeon may also provide other instructions. Following up regularly and attending post-operative appointments also allows your surgeon to examine the scar and address any concerns early.

Using Scar Cream After Surgery

Any scar cream—including our Scar Protocol—should not be used immediately after the surgery. Depending on the procedure, area, healing progression, and other factors, patients may begin applying scar cream anywhere from between one week and six months post-surgery.

In most cases, the initial wound or incision should be completely healed over. This usually means that any sutures or medical closings have been removed or dissolved. You may still be experience minor inflammation, bruising, and swelling. However, if these side effects remain severe, your surgeon may advise that you wait until the side effects have improved before beginning scar care.

While some professionals do not recommend treating scars until one to two years after the initial surgery, this tends not to provide the best cosmetic result. It is true that scar treatment cannot begin until a specific stage of healing, but this can commence as soon as one to three weeks after surgery, depending on the patient.

The exact right time to start treating scarring varies between people. For those who tend to heal normal scars and with an average healing time, scar cream treatment may begin as soon as one to two weeks post-treatment. Others who are prone to hypertrophic or keloid scars may need to alter their treatment regimen, including when they start treatment based on this history. Your provider can help guide you on the ideal scar treatment for your situation.

Using Scar Protocol For Surgical Scars

Scar Protocol is a five-phase scar treatment meant to help improve the cosmetic appearance of surgical scars. Beginning within six months post-surgery and commencing for one year, Scar Protocol uses ingredients such as silicone, Vitamin E, and retinol to help promote less visible scarring. The system also makes use of high-quality skin ingredients including snail mucin which do offer other cosmetic benefits too.