You didn’t realize the pan was hot; your hand slipped while cutting onions; you took a tumble from your bike. Skin injuries, such as burns, cuts and punctures, are hard to avoid. They can also be hard to forget if the wound leaves a scar.
While skin typically heals itself, the process can leave the skin raised, puckered or discolored. Whether you form a scar and how it looks depends on the wound itself and how it heals. However, with proper care, you may be able to reduce the scar's size and color.
How do scars form?
The healing process for skin happens in stages:
- Immune response: Immediately after the injury happens, your immune system starts protecting the wound from infection. Swelling, redness and clear, oozing fluid are all signs that your immune system is working. If your wound bled, the clot that forms to stop the bleeding may become a scab. The scab protects the injury below it, but not all wounds form a scab.
- Tissue growth and rebuilding: If your injury goes deeper than the surface, your body makes thick tissue, called collagen. The new tissue fills in the wound, making a foundation for the thinner skin tissue that grows over it.
- Strengthening: Your skin tissue becomes stronger over time. It may not look the same or be as strong as it once was. The strengthening process can take years.
The new, thicker tissue beneath the surface often becomes a scar. Most scars are flat and may look wrinkled. However, if your body makes too much tissue, the scar may be raised or bigger than the original wound.
New scars tend to be pink or red before turning either lighter or darker than your skin.
5 wound care tips to reduce scarring and discoloration
Surgical wounds and injuries in awkward spots, such as knees and elbows, are more likely to leave a scar. However, proper wound care can help you avoid scarring from most minor cuts and burns:
1. Clean your wound daily
Keep the wound clean so it doesn't get infected. You don’t need to use anti-bacterial ointment if you clean it every day with mild soap and water. If your injury requires stitches, follow your doctor's instructions for wound cleaning and care.
Remember to wash your hands before and after wound care to avoid transferring bacteria. Be gentle when removing the bandages, cleaning the area and patting (not rubbing) the wound dry so you don't tear or irritate the skin.
2. Moisturize your wound
According to experts, dry wounds are more likely to form scabs, which can delay healing. If you don't have a scab yet, apply petroleum jelly (or a doctor-recommended ointment) and a protective bandage to moisturize the wound.
Don't worry if a scab has already formed on your wound. Do not pull it off. Keep the scab moist with petroleum jelly — the healing process for a moist scab will be quicker than leaving a scabbed wound dry.
3. Protect your wound while healing
Covering a skin injury with a bandage helps keep dirt and germs out. Change the bandage daily when you clean the wound. If your wound is large or taking a while to heal, try silicone gel sheets, which you can buy at a pharmacy. They can improve the size and look of scars.
To protect the healing process, avoid removing scabs and any activity that might pull on or open the wound. Every time the tissue is pulled, it disrupts healing and increases the risk of scarring. Wear looser clothing over a scab so it doesn't get caught on the fabric.
4. Shield your healed wound from the sun
Even when the wound looks closed, it’s still not totally healed. If you don't shield the new and delicate skin, the sun's rays can worsen the look of your scar.
Protecting your new skin may reduce a scar's red or brown discoloration and help the scar fade faster. Use sunscreen labeled SPF 30 or higher and reapply often.
5. Make healthy lifestyle choices
A healthy lifestyle can help wounds heal faster, meaning less scarring. To help your body recover:
- Eat a healthy diet filled with vitamins and minerals that support a healthy immune system. Reach for whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Manage chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, that can cause poor healing.
- Don’t smoke because nicotine can slow the healing process.
When to call a doctor for wound care
Monitor your wound and scar daily for signs that suggest infection. Consult a doctor if you notice:
- Drainage coming from the wound that is thick, smells bad or is green or yellow
- Fever of 100.5° F or higher
- Increasing redness, pain, swelling or bleeding at the wound site
- No signs of healing after a few days, especially if you have diabetes or another preexisting condition that affects healing
Your body has the amazing ability to heal itself. However, some wounds require medical attention. When in doubt, have a doctor or medical professional check your wound. MLK Community Healthcare's Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Center offers advanced care for wounds that are not healing.
Contact us
If you need help with a wound, find a doctor at MLK Community Healthcare or call (424) 529-6755 today to make an appointment.