We know that scars tell a story of overcoming that we should carry with pride, they are those injuries that occur after major - or minor - traumas that, in one way or another, have literally marked our skin, and that every time we look at that scar, we travel back in time to remember that specific moment that marked us.
However, after the healing process, we find ourselves immersed in an eagerness to find that cosmetic or derma-cosmetic procedure that helps us eliminate the scar, because despite feeling proud of having overcome that accident – major or minor – , or that severe picture of acne, make us miss the natural state of our skin.
The good news is that science has advanced to such an extent that looking for a cosmetic treatment or dermocosmetic procedure that helps us to visibly minimize them has become a simple task, as long as we know how to recognize certain factors that, together with the reaction time, in As far as treatment is concerned, it will help us minimize, or even eliminate them, making us feel more confident when showing off our skin.
The first thing we should know is that there are several types of scars and how it will look will depend on several factors. There are 5 general ways to describe them, however, a scar can have more than one of these characteristics:
- Well healed: they are those that heal correctly. They are the same color as the skin that surrounds them and do not present reliefs.
- Atrophic: are those that expand, looking larger and striated.
- Hypertrophic: are those that increase in thickness, beyond what is expected.
- Hyperpigmented: are those whose color is darker than that of the surrounding skin.
- Erythematous: are those that have a reddish color.
The cause, care and genetics are the main aspects that directly influence the appearance of scars. For example:
- Cause: A surgical excision that is closed in line with stitches will always sound better than a self-healing wound.
- Caution: Frequent stretching of the muscle under the scar, during the early stages of healing, can lead to stretched or thickened scars.
- Genetics: there are people whose healing process is wonderful, but there are many other people who tend to generate keloids (hypertrophic scar) in the process, and it is a hereditary characteristic.
Now, now that you know how to identify certain key factors about your scars, at OrglizLab we have created a powerful list for you to use as a reference and start taking care of your scar correctly. In this way, and with the perseverance that personal care routines deserve, we assure you that the appearance of your scar will improve so that you can show off your skin without discomfort.
- Protect with sunscreen, ALWAYS!
Healing tissue is prone to hyperpigmentation and can be constantly changing during the first year of healing, therefore it must be adequately protected. At Orgliz we recommend the use of sunscreen with a protection factor greater than 50 (SPF 50 or more).
However, wearing clothing that covers the wound area counts as double protection and is highly recommended, since we are talking about a recovering area that is in a very high state of sensitivity.
- Keep the wound covered.
The healing process is complex, in which several processes are involved. Although many people prefer to leave the wound exposed to ''breathe'', experts recommend covering it (insert link) during the first phase of healing, as this way they can ensure a better result in terms of time and appearance.
- Include Rosehip Oil in your routine
Rosehip oil has moisturizing and regenerating properties due to its high level of polyunsaturated, linoleic and linolenic essential fatty acids, which is why it has been used for years as a natural treatment for scars,
- soft massages
Gentle massages are an excellent option to prevent scars from pulling on the surrounding tissue. It is recommended to perform them daily with very gentle pressure for a few minutes.
- Minimize muscle movements in the area during the healing period.
Scars heal better if there is minimal stretching of the area, however, this does not mean that any type of exercise should not be performed, on the contrary, it is advisable to do low-impact exercises to activate the circulation of the areas contrary to the wound. For example, if it is on the shoulder, a 30-minute walk is a good option to activate your body's circulation.
- Use products that stimulate collagen production.
Some scars appear atrophic due to the lack of collagen and elastin, so using cosmetics with active ingredients that stimulate collagen production such as retinoids or glycolic acid in those, are a good option to obtain modest results in thin scars, but do not forget, you must be constant with its application, do not despair if you do not see immediate results, these results usually take at least 3 to 4 weeks to show.
- Derma-cosmetic procedures:
These procedures are applied only when the scar has completely formed. Among the best known are: tilio 1927, picosecond laser, CO2 laser, microneedles with or without radiofrequency, pulsed dye laser or laser genesis. The choice of this must be guided and applied by a professional in the area of derma-cosmetology.
- Weather
Scars continue to heal and repair for up to a year, however, the earlier treatment is started, the more effective the results will be. Do not wait for a year to start treating it with basic care: care and protection. Consult with your dermatologist from its initial stage.