Gardening, food preparation, sports and leisure activities, and life in general can result in occasional minor skin injuries. You can take steps to avoid ending up with a permanent reminder of your mishap — if you know what to do. Proper treatment of all skin injuries is essential to avoiding scars, says Scott Hultman, M.
But scrapes and burns can leave scars as well. Scars are more likely in injuries where the skin is not just cut but also crushed or otherwise damaged. When you get a cut, scrape or burn, your body immediately responds with a series of steps to heal itself:. There are many different types of scars and scar revision treatments. Scar revision may improve the appearance of a scar or restore function to a part of the body that may have been restricted by the scar.
For minor injuries, Hultman stresses the importance of keeping them clean and protected. Use antibacterial cream or ointment and cover the area with a bandage, which can speed healing. The presence of debris, bacteria or other impurities in open skin can trigger infection and extend the inflammation period. Hultman says prolonged inflammation enhances scar formation. Healing wounds may itch, but you should avoid the temptation to scratch them.
He says you should check in with urgent care for these types of skin injuries:. Deep puncture wounds. Animal and human bites can carry some nasty kinds of bacteria. Bite wounds that break the skin should be washed out and treated by a professional. Unlike a keloid scar, it does not grow outside the injured area. Hypertrophic scars are commonly darker than other skin in the area.
Keloid scars are the result of aggressive healing and an overproduction of tissue. They are characterized by a raised, thick, puffy appearance. They are typically darker than the surrounding skin. Unlike a hypertrophic scar, keloid scars can grow beyond the injured area. Contracture scars result from large areas of skin being lost or damaged, typically from burns. They are characterized by tight, shiny skin that can restrict movement.
That being said, advocates of natural healing believe that there are remedies that can speed up the lightening process and make a scar less noticeable. Here are some of the remedies that have been effective for some people. Buy vitamin oil now. Buy honey now. Buy coconut oil now. Buy apple cider vinegar now. Shop for lavender essential oil. Before trying any of the remedies above, thoroughly wash and dry the scar and the area around it.
Also, only use these remedies on scars — not open wounds. Should any of these remedies cause any irritation, stop use immediately. As your skin heals, a scar may form, as this is a natural part of the healing process.
Whenever your skin is injured—whether by accident or from surgery—your body works to repair the wound. The appearance of a scar often depends on how well the wound heals. While scars from surgery or over joints like the knees and elbows are hard to avoid, scars caused by minor cuts and scrapes can become less noticeable by properly treating the wound at home. Always keep your cut, scrape or other skin injury clean. Gently wash the area with mild soap and water to keep out germs and remove debris.
To help the injured skin heal, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist. Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy. As long as the wound is cleaned daily, it is not necessary to use anti-bacterial ointments. After cleaning the wound and applying petroleum jelly or a similar ointment, cover the skin with an adhesive bandage. For large scrapes, sores, burns or persistent redness, it may be helpful to use hydrogel or silicone gel sheets.
Change your bandage daily to keep the wound clean while it heals. If you have skin that is sensitive to adhesives, try a non-adhesive gauze pad with paper tape. If using silicone gel or hydrogel sheets, follow the instructions on the package for changing the sheets.
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