What is the Best Way to Reduce Scarring after a C-Section?

After a c-section, you may look at your c-section incision and wonder what sort of scar it will leave. But don’t worry. There are simple things you can do during your c-section recovery to reduce c-section scars.

Scar gels and creams can promote scar healing by softening and smoothing scars, which causes them to blend in. Scar gels and creams are easy to apply, but in order for them to be effective, they have to be reapplied several times each day.

Silicone sheeting can also help improve the appearance of a c-section scar. It comes in pre-cut shapes, including a c-section scar shape, so you can just peel off the back and place it over the scar. It’s not as messy as scar gels and creams.

Although silicone sheeting will give you continuous scar treatment without frequent reapplication, it can wear off during exercise, so it may not be the best daytime option for people with extremely active lifestyles.

For best results, you might want to try a combination of scar gels and creams and silicone sheeting.

How does silicone sheeting help with healing?

Silicone sheeting is a soft, transparent adhesive membrane that can be applied directly to a wound once it has closed and sutures have been removed. While there is still plenty to learn about the reasons silicon sheeting is so effective in both scar management and the healing process, the results are conclusive and even dramatic.

Doctors believe that silicone sheets help healing in two distinct ways. First, silicone aids in the hydration of the wound, which can keep skin moist and pliant and much more likely to heal. The silicone sheeting, like a traditional dressing, also keeps the wound clean and free from bacteria. The sheet is just permeable enough, however, to let oxygen in.

Second, silicone sheeting aids with scar support. These sheets actually control the tension on the scar to reduce stretching and irritation.

There are some precautions to take if you’re going to use silicone sheeting in a scar management program. First of all, never use other ointments or gels underneath the sheet. Second, stop using the sheets immediately and contact your physician if a rash develops around the wound.

Proper application of Silicone Sheeting can help prevent unnecessary scarring

Silicone sheeting is often used after surgery to repair the top layer of skin over scar tissue. These thin, transparent sheets are generally easy to use as well as comfortable. An effective scar management program is all about timing, and you’ll need to know when to apply silicone sheeting for the best results.

Silicone sheeting is basically a preventative measure, and you’ll need to start treatments before the scar begins to develop. At the same time, you’ll need to wait until the wound has closed and the sutures have been removed before you can apply the silicone sheeting. Remember, the tension from improperly or prematurely applied silicone sheeting may re-open the wound.

Many doctors recommend that the silicone sheeting applications should start roughly one week after the wound has closed and has become dry. One strong indication that the scar is ready for the sheet is the appearance of a red and itchy streak directly on the mature wound. Once you start with this scar management program, you can use silicone sheeting over a period of weeks or even months depending upon the severity of the wound and the results you get.

Get all the information you need on post surgery recovery and products at ContourMD.com.

With scar creams and gels you can avoid unsightly scars.

At one time or another, most of us will have an accident of some sort that will leave an unwanted scar. As we grow older, many of us will also incur a surgical scar or two. Scar gels and creams can help to reduce the appearance of scars, even those that are several years old. Scar creams and gels both soften the scar and smooth its appearance, so it blends in with the surrounding skin.

To diminish the appearance of an old scar, available products include silicone sheeting, scar gels, or scar creams. Silicone sheeting comes in pre-cut shapes and can be worn for long periods of time. It provides continuous scar treatment throughout the day. It is also less messy than scar creams or gels.

On the other hand, scar gels and creams may be more convenient for people with active lifestyles because silicone sheeting can wear off during exertion. Scar creams and gels can easily be applied and reapplied multiple times each day.

For best results, you may want to use a combination of silicone sheeting and a scar gel or scar cream.

Everyone has scars. Whether your scars are due to injury or are a result of a surgical procedure, there’s no reason you have to live with them. There are products on the market today that can help you reduce the appearance of scars, whether they are old or new. This includes surgical scars, burn scars, keloids, hypertrophic scars, and most scars resulting from trauma. What these products do is soften and smooth the scar allowing it to blend with the surrounding skin. They also limit the growth of the scar, and reduce height, thickness, and discoloration.

For a completely healed scar, applying silicone sheeting is the best way to ensure that your scar will be as unnoticeable as possible. Silicone sheeting is also a convenient alternative to messy scar creams and gels. Adding to the convenience of silicone sheeting is that it comes in precut shapes to cover plastic surgery scars. Precut shapes are available for the following types of surgery:

• Breast augmentation
• Liposuction
• Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
• Arm lift (brachioplasty)
• Umbilicoplasty
• C-Section

Scar gels and creams can be used alone or in conjunction with silicone sheeting. The main benefit to using a scar cream over silicone sheeting is that it can be easily applied throughout the day.