Wound Care Articles

I have a scar that is raised and bumpy. When is it safe to start using bio oil?

If your wound has healed then it should be safe to start massaging the scar with either bio oil, or an emollient of your choice, for two minutes twice daily. This can encourage collagen production and allow the scar to heal nicely.

The other thing to consider is whether a truly lumpy (keloid) scar is forming in that area. We would then consider treating the scar differently, for example with topical or intralesional steroids. If in doubt, seek advice from your surgical team, GP or a dermatologist.

Do you have any advice for flattening scars?

There is here good evidence for the use of silicone sheets/scar gels to flatten hypertrophic scars. For large scars, I would recommend seeing a plastic surgeon or dermatologist with an interest in scarring. They will be able to offer a range of treatments (e.g., steroid injections, steroid tapes, laser treatments, re-excision etc) depending on the characteristics of the scar.

Can you do anything before surgery to reduce scarring? 

It is important to remember that final scar appearance rests on several factors including the body site, surgical skills, postoperative complications and your own body's healing abilities. 

There isn’t much you can do pre-surgery however things that can help include following any post operative instructions on wound care carefully. Such as, massaging the scar twice daily for a couple of minutes per day once sutures or staples are removed and the scar has healed, and using good sun protection measures on the fresh scar especially in the first few months after your operation. 

Are silicone gels good for wound healing? 

Scars can take more than 12 months to settle and keeping them occluded and hydrated during the remodelling period can lead to favourable wound healing. There is good clinical evidence for the use of silicone gels and sheets for this purpose. They can be applied once the stitches have been removed or the wound has sealed. 

My scar tissue has attached itself to my ribs, what can I do? 

It sounds like the scar has an element of tethering, i.s it is stuck to the deeper layers under the skin. In general terms this may be amenable to scar physical therapy (delivered by a scar physiotherapist) or a procedure called subcision. This involves using a needle under anaesthetic to release the band holding the skin down, which needs to be performed by a plastic surgeon.

If you want to find out more about wound health, check out our wound care hub. Or, head to the clinic to read more Q&As.