Reduce your scars in 8 weeks

Scars occur in response to a wound that alters the normal arrangement of the skin. There are different types of scars, depending on the type of wound and the healing capacity of each person.

The evolution of a scar over time will depend, to a great extent, on how well we take care of the wound right from the beginning. The healing process is completed over several weeks: most of the superficial wounds can heal in about a month, while others will take more than a year.

First week

• Haemostasis and coagulation phase: The first few hours after getting a wound, determine the activation of the blood coagulation cascade, with proteins and platelets forming a fibrin mesh to close the wound.
• Inflammatory phase: It starts immediately after the above phase and sometimes in parallel. White blood cells and other defensive cells such as macrophages, travel to the wound to destroy bacteria and other harmful substances, cleaning the injury and preventing infection. They trigger the production of substances that facilitate the growth of new tissues and tissue repair. They also attract cells of the immune system that continue to control infections. It is common for this inflammatory response to be associated with pain, redness, and edema in the area.

During these first days, the most important thing will be antiseptic cures, which are indicated twice a day. If the wound is superficial and only affects the epidermis, the recovery will be complete. In the case of involvement of the dermis, a scar will be created.

Second and third weeks

Proliferation phase: This starts once the wound is "clean". The objective of this phase is to generate new tissue that fills the gap left by the destruction of fibres and cells. New fibres and new blood vessels are formed that initially give a reddish colour.

In these weeks, it may be necessary to maintain antiseptic treatments, such as creams. If the wound needed stitches, this is the time when the stitches or staples will be removed. You may still feel sensitivity if you touch the scar at this point. If the scab has already fallen off, you can start using scar reducing patches.

Fourth week

Ripening phase: In this phase there is the reorganization of the new skin fibres that interact with the surrounding healthy skin. It’s a phase that can last several weeks, even years. Over time, the scar changes colour, becoming pearly in colour and fine in appearance.

If you still feel discomfort such as a slight burning or itching, gently massage the scar. This helps the activation of the tissues, the organization of the fibres and can alleviate any discomfort. The patches from this moment on will be essential, as they help regeneration, protect from the sun's ultraviolet rays and help prevent new injuries in the same area.

From the fifth to the eighth week

The healing process is advanced from the fifth week, but we will still have a long road ahead. This period is very important for the prevention of keloids and hypertrophic scars since the wound maturation phase is still active.

You must continue with the care that was started in the previous week: massage and patching. The patches are very comfortable and can last about a week, and you can just relax and let the patches do their work.

The patches create a microclimate that is perfect for restructuring, they also help protect from the sun, which is essential for healing skin.

The patches should be used for around 2 months to take full advantage of all their properties. Beyond that time, it will differ from person to person. In large scars or keloid tendencies, it may be necessary to extend the use for up to 6 months. When in doubt about the time required for your scar, consult your doctor or pharmacist.