If you are working to fade an existing scar, you likely have certain expectations with your scar treatment, how much your scar will fade, and how you can best manage it going forward. Those expectations may contrast a little bit from what can realistically happen. Here we will explore expectations vs. reality when it comes to the scar fading process.
1. Be Realistic
First off, it’s important to be realistic in your goals. No scar — at least a significant one – will ever completely fade away, even with rigorous at-home treatments and patience. Even with time, it may fade greatly but you may always be able to see a faint outline. Minor scars may fade nearly completely with the right treatment, but severe, deep scars will likely always leave you with a reminder.
However, all that being said, there are many reasons to be hopeful! You can fade virtually any scar in some way with dedication, patience, and at home treatments like tissue massage and Scarfade.
2. Care For the Wound Properly
Next, you have to make sure you treat the initial wound carefully. How well you treat it in the beginning can significantly alter how faded it will get later. Clean out the wound thoroughly and slather with an antibiotic ointment. Keep it covered for a few days till it scabs over. Once it starts to heal, apply silicone scar gel like Scarfade every day, massaging it gently into your skin. Don’t pick at forming scabs, as the healing process will have to start all over again, increasing the likelihood of scarring.
3. Massage the Scar With Scarfade
To make the scar more responsive to fading, you need to make it supple. This is where daily massage comes in. Massage therapy, even performed yourself, can lessen the appearance of a scar. This is actually quite an effective method if you want to decrease scar tissue buildup. Take note that massage therapy alone won’t work on older, more established scars. So start massaging those new scars and you’ll see results. After the scar is two years old or so, massage is less effective.
Put a dab of Scarfade on your fingers, then using firm, circular motions, rub the scarred area a couple of times a day. Not only will this motion prevent tightness, it will soften and flatten the scar while encouraging the growth of collagen. As a side bonus, you will find that your scar doesn’t itch quite as much as it did before, and you will also notice increased flexibility in the scar.
As a rule of thumb, use a pea-sized drop of Scarfade twice a day for between 12 and 16 weeks after injury. A large tube of Scarfade, as a reference point, will last about a year for scars less than two inches. For scars bigger than six inches, one large tube will last four months.
Check out our website for more product information, or give us a call to ask any questions you may have. We can help you balance your expectations of scar fading with reality.