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POST‑OPERATIVE SCAR CARE GUIDE

Evidence‑Based Advice from Dr Rica, Consultant Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Introduction

Surgical scars are a natural part of healing. Appropriate scar care during the first few months after surgery can significantly improve their appearance.​

Many patients ask which products are useful and which are unnecessary. This page summarizes the scar care principles commonly discussed with patients after surgery, including moisturizing newly healed skin and the use of medical‑grade silicone.​

The aim is to keep scar care simple, evidence‑based and practical.

Dr Rica's 5 Key Scar Care Principles

1. Start scar care only after the wound has fully healed
2. Keep newly healed skin well moisturized
3. Use medical‑grade silicone consistently
4. Protect scars from sun exposure
5. Seek early treatment if scars become raised

Understanding Scar Healing

All surgical wounds heal through several phases:

Inflammatory phase (0–2 weeks): The wound closes and early collagen formation begins.

Proliferative phase (2–6 weeks): New tissue forms and collagen production increases.

Remodeling phase (6 weeks–12 months): Collagen gradually reorganizes and the scar slowly matures.

During the early remodeling phase the scar is most responsive to treatments such as silicone therapy.

Why Moisturising Matters in Scar Management​

One of the most overlooked aspects of scar care is maintaining adequate skin hydration.

A healing scar is undergoing continuous remodelling for many months after surgery or injury. Dry skin can become uncomfortable, itchy, flaky and less tolerant of scar massage or pressure therapy.

Regular moisturisation can help:

* Improve skin hydration and comfort

* Reduce dryness and itching

* Facilitate scar massage

* Improve skin flexibility and suppleness

* Support the skin barrier during the healing process

For many patients, I recommend incorporating a simple moisturiser into their scar care routine, particularly when the scar becomes dry or itchy.

My Recommended Moisturiser

One option I frequently recommend is Horse Oil.

I prefer this particular formulation because it contains relatively few additional ingredients compared with many commercial moisturisers.

Horse oil has been used in Japan for generations as a skin-conditioning moisturiser. Its fatty acid composition shares similarities with the natural oils found in human skin, which may contribute to its ability to spread easily and absorb well.

A small amount is usually sufficient. In fact, I often suggest storing the jar in the refrigerator, where it becomes firmer and easier to use sparingly.

For scar patients, the goal is not to saturate the scar with large amounts of product, but rather to maintain comfortable skin hydration and facilitate scar massage when appropriate.

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* Pelembapan yang baik merupakan salah satu aspek penting dalam penjagaan parut, rawatan parut dan proses penyembuhan luka.

* Kulit yang kering boleh menyebabkan parut pembedahan, parut luka dan parut keloid menjadi gatal, tegang dan tidak selesa.

* Penggunaan pelembap secara berkala membantu mengekalkan kelembapan kulit serta menyokong proses pemulihan parut.

* Kulit yang lembap dan lembut memudahkan urut parut (scar massage) yang sering disyorkan sebagai sebahagian daripada program penjagaan parut.

* Sesuai digunakan untuk parut selepas pembedahan, parut kemalangan, parut luka, dan kulit yang kering semasa proses penyembuhan.

* Hokkaido Horse Oil merupakan pelembap yang saya gemari kerana formulanya yang ringkas dengan bahan tambahan yang minimum.

* Horse oil telah digunakan di Jepun selama bertahun-tahun untuk membantu mengekalkan kelembapan, kelembutan dan keselesaan kulit.

* Kandungan asid lemaknya mempunyai persamaan dengan minyak semula jadi pada kulit manusia, yang membantu ia diserap dengan baik dan mudah disapu.

* Saya biasanya mencadangkan penyimpanan di dalam peti sejuk supaya teksturnya lebih pejal dan jumlah penggunaan lebih mudah dikawal.

* Dalam penjagaan parut, matlamat utama bukan menggunakan produk dalam kuantiti yang banyak, tetapi memastikan kulit kekal lembap, selesa dan sesuai untuk urutan parut.

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* 良好的保湿是疤痕护理、疤痕治疗及伤口愈合过程中经常被忽略的重要环节。

* 干燥的皮肤可能导致手术疤痕、外伤疤痕及瘢痕疙瘩出现发痒、紧绷及不适感。

* 适当保湿有助于维持皮肤屏障功能,并支持疤痕修复及疤痕愈合过程。

* 保持皮肤柔软和滋润,有助于进行疤痕按摩(Scar Massage),这是常见的疤痕护理方法之一。

* 适用于术后疤痕护理、外伤后疤痕护理、疤痕修复及日常皮肤保养。

* 北海道马油是我经常推荐的保湿产品之一,因为其配方相对简单,添加成分较少。

* 马油在日本已有长期使用历史,常用于改善皮肤干燥及维持皮肤滋润。

* 其脂肪酸成分与人体天然皮脂有一定相似性,因此容易涂抹并较容易被皮肤吸收。

* 建议冷藏保存,使产品保持较为固态状态,更容易控制每次使用量。

* 在疤痕护理过程中,重点并非大量涂抹产品,而是维持适当保湿,使皮肤保持柔软舒适,并有利于疤痕按摩。

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Raised Scars & Keloids

Raised scars and keloids can be uncomfortable, itchy, and cosmetically distressing. Eclar Plaster is a specialised Japanese scar management dressing that is widely used in Japan for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids.

The plaster combines continuous scar coverage with a medicated anti-inflammatory ingredient, helping to reduce scar activity while providing gentle pressure over the affected area. It is particularly useful for scars that are raised, thickened, itchy, red, or continuing to grow.

Potential Benefits

* Helps flatten raised scars and keloids
* May reduce redness and inflammation
* Can help relieve itching and discomfort associated with active scars
* Easy to cut and customise to the exact size and shape of the scar
* Suitable for use on many areas of the body

Practical Tips From My Clinical Experience

* The plaster can be cut to match the exact size and shape of the scar, helping to minimise waste and improve comfort.

* Many patients can leave the plaster in place for several days at a time. Depending on the scar location, skin condition, and how well the plaster adheres, some patients may be able to leave it on for up to one week before changing.

* It is reasonable to gently lift one edge periodically to inspect the skin and ensure there is no excessive irritation, rash, or skin breakdown.

* If the adhesive becomes less effective but the plaster remains otherwise usable, an additional fixation dressing or plaster may sometimes be applied over the top to help keep it securely in place.

* Consistency is important. Scar improvement usually occurs gradually over weeks to months rather than days.

Important Note

Monitor the surrounding skin regularly. If significant redness, blistering, pain, rash, skin breakdown, or other concerns develop, discontinue use and seek medical advice. Individual responses vary and some scars may require additional treatments such as steroid injections, silicone therapy, laser treatment, or surgery.

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* Sesuai untuk membantu merawat keloid, parut timbul dan parut hipertrofik.

* Boleh membantu mengurangkan kegatalan parut, kemerahan dan ketebalan parut yang aktif.

* Digunakan secara meluas dalam rawatan keloid dan pengurusan parut selepas pembedahan.

* Mudah dipotong mengikut saiz dan bentuk parut pembedahan, parut kecederaan atau kawasan kulit yang terlibat.

* Boleh dipakai berterusan selama beberapa hari bagi membantu proses rawatan parut secara konsisten.

* Sesuai untuk individu yang mempunyai parut pembedahan, parut kemalangan, parut luka, atau keloid yang masih membesar.

* Boleh digunakan sebagai sebahagian daripada pelan rawatan parut keloid, bersama suntikan steroid, silikon atau rawatan laser apabila diperlukan.

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* 适用于瘢痕疙瘩(Keloid)、增生性疤痕及各种凸起性疤痕。

* 有助于减轻疤痕发红、发痒及疤痕增厚等问题。

* 常用于瘢痕疙瘩治疗及术后疤痕护理。

* 可根据疤痕大小自行裁剪,方便用于不同部位。

* 适合手术后、外伤后或伤口愈合后的疤痕护理。

* 持续使用有助于改善疤痕外观,并配合长期疤痕管理。

* 可作为综合疤痕治疗方案的一部分,并可配合硅胶、类固醇注射或激光治疗使用。

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Silicone Therapy for Scar Management

Medical‑grade silicone is widely used to help prevent and manage hypertrophic scars.

Silicone works by:
• Creating a protective occlusive layer
• Maintaining optimal hydration of the scar
• Modulating fibroblast activity
• Reducing excessive collagen production

With consistent use, scars may become flatter, softer and less noticeable.

Types of Silicone Products

Silicone Sheets
Best suited for flat linear scars such as caesarean section scars, breast surgery scars and abdominal surgery scars.

Silicone Gel
Useful for irregular areas such as facial scars or smaller scars where sheets are difficult to apply.

Silicone Scar Plasters
Combine adhesive dressings with silicone therapy and may be convenient for certain areas.

Scar Care Timeline

Week 0–2: Wound healing phase – keep wound clean and protected.

Week 2–3: Skin closure – once the wound surface is healed, gentle moisturising may begin.

Week 3–6: Early scar phase – silicone therapy can usually start.

Month 2–6: Scar maturation – continue consistent scar care.

Month 6–12: Long‑term maturation – scars continue to gradually improve.

Sun Protection for Healing Scars

New scars are particularly sensitive to sunlight. Excessive sun exposure can lead to persistent darkening or pigmentation.

During the first several months:
• Protect scars from direct sunlight
• Use SPF 30–50 sunscreen
• Cover the scar when possible

Common Questions

Do silicone sheets remove scars completely?
No treatment removes scars completely, but silicone therapy can help scars become flatter and softer.

When should silicone therapy start?
Only once the wound has fully healed.

How long should silicone be used?
Most patients benefit from 3–6 months of consistent use.

Disclaimer:

Important Note

The products featured on this website are provided as educational suggestions and convenience recommendations only. I do not receive compensation from manufacturers for recommending any specific product unless explicitly stated.

You are under no obligation to purchase through any of the links provided and are free to obtain the same or similar products from any retailer or supplier of your choice.

Where affiliate links are used, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the ongoing production of educational content and resources.

Penafian:

Nota Penting

Produk yang dipaparkan di laman web ini disediakan sebagai cadangan pendidikan dan saranan untuk kemudahan pengguna sahaja. Saya tidak menerima sebarang bayaran atau ganjaran daripada pengeluar kerana mengesyorkan mana-mana produk tertentu, kecuali jika dinyatakan dengan jelas.

Anda tidak mempunyai sebarang kewajipan untuk membeli melalui pautan yang disediakan dan bebas mendapatkan produk yang sama atau produk yang serupa daripada mana-mana peruncit atau pembekal pilihan anda.

Sekiranya pautan afiliasi digunakan, saya mungkin menerima komisen kecil tanpa sebarang kos tambahan kepada anda. Sokongan ini membantu mengekalkan penghasilan kandungan pendidikan serta sumber maklumat yang berterusan.

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