Scars are scary for kids, especially after experiencing an injury or surgical procedure. Handling scar treatment for kids will take a lot of explanation, patience, a calm demeanor, and persistence. It’s important to let kids know how important good wound management is in minimizing resulting scar appearance. But it’s a fine line between informing them and scaring them.
Scar Management Tips
Massage is a key component of getting a scar to heal well. Let’s say your child just got his stitches out after surgery or a deep cut. Once those sutures have been removed, your doctor will give you guidelines on how and when to begin scar massage – usually two to three weeks after any scabs have fallen off.
For the first couple of weeks to a month, gently rub the area for up to 10 minutes, twice a day. Rub in the direction of the incision, using enough pressure to change the color of the affected area from pink to pale. After a month, massage the scar using different motions and in all directions, from up and down to side to side, and even crisscross and circular.
It’s much easier to massage a scare when it’s soft, which is why you should use some type of lotion such as vitamin E, aloe vera gel, or Scarfade, which is a silicone micro-membrane scar gel that moisturizes and dries quickly but without a sticky residue. Best part is, you don’t need a prescription for it.
Plus, it comes in many forms, from gels to sheets. If your child has a scar that was caused by a burn, silicone sheets can be applied that are comfortable, easy to use, and don’t restrict movement.
No matter what you use to massage your child’s scar, stay away from scented lotions. Always put sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on your child when they go outside, especially on the scarred area. Make sure the product you choose protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Tips to Prevent Scars in Children
Here’s how to prevent significant scarring in your child.
- In the event your child sustains a small scrape or cut, wash the wound with soap and water to reduce the chance of infection. Then, apply antibacterial cream and cover with a bandage.
- Make sure your child wears protective gear such as helmets and pads while biking or skating to prevent significant injury.
- Avoid harsh sun rays, which can help prevent scars from intensifying.
- Don’t itch or poke at a healing scar, as it could get infected and fail to heal right.
Use Scarfade With Your Kids
Scarfade is safe to use on children of all ages! Check out our easy-to-use products for sale that you can use with your kids for effective scar management. Minimizing scar appearance after injury is not only possible, it’s easy to do every single day.