Don’t Be Haunted By Surgery Scars

Tips for a Healthy Recovery

This Halloween season, don’t be haunted by your surgery scars! Heal up from your procedures and minimize scarring with these tips.

First, it’s important to note that there are some factors that increase the risk of scarring that are out of your control. Some of these factors include:

• Your age
  • The older you get, the less elasticity your skin has. Aging paired with sun exposure, smoking, exposure to the environment and other lifestyle issues make it harder for the skin to heal as you age.
• Your race
  • Your race may determine whether you scar more than other people. Fair-skinned people tend to find their scars more noticeable than those with darker complexions.
• Genetic Tendency To Scar
  • If members of your family tend to scar, you’re also more likely to scar.
• Size and Depth of Your Incision
  • Larger, deeper incisions take longer to heal and are more likely to have a lasting scar.
• How Quickly Your Skin Heals
  • You may just be someone whose skin heals quickly and easily leaving minimal scarring.

Keep in mind that these factors are already at play and may slow down your healing process. With that being said, there are steps you can take to prevent scarring when possible. Other than following your doctor’s orders to the letter, here are other suggestions to consider:

• Don’t smoke
  • Besides all of the other health risks associated with smoking, smoking also slows down your healing. Smoking is such a significant risk factor that many plastic surgeons will not operate on a patient if they’ve smoked within two weeks before your surgery.
• Don’t drink
  • Alcohol dehydrates your body and skin, which decreases your overall state of health. While you’re recovering from surgery, it’s advised not to drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
• Up your protein intake but also eat a balanced diet
  • Protein makes up the building blocks of healing skin, so it is essential to provide your body with adequate protein for optimal skin healing.
• Stay hydrated
  • Dehydration happens when you are not taking in enough fluids. In severe cases, this can cause electrolyte imbalances and heart issues. In less severe cases, you will feel thirsty and your overall health will be diminished. Stay well hydrated—you will know if you are well-hydrated because your urine will be almost colorless or light in color.
• Take good care of your incisions to prevent infection.
  • Don’t take medication that isn’t prescribed or use ointments without consulting your doctor. Check on your healing and treat infections quickly if they occur.
• Get plenty of rest.
  • Follow your doctor’s orders but also listen to your body. Take it easy and rest.
• Don’t put stress on your incision.
  • Avoid lifting, bending, stretching, or anything that adds stress to that area.
• Avoid sunlight as much as possible.
  • If you can’t cover the incision because it’s on your face, make sure you’re wearing plenty of sunscreen.

As always, if you have any questions about your healing or aftercare instructions, don’t hesitate to give us a call, 908-879-2222.

Posted in Plastic Surgery Guide, Scar Revision on October 15th, 2019

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