How to treat a scar

Scars are normal after an injury or surgery.  It is how the body heals. Your hand surgeon or hand therapist may recommend a variety of scar treatments after your injury is healed, cut is healed, or stitches are removed. Here are some treatments that may help the look and feel of your scar:

• Massage: Gently massaging your scar can help reduce sensitivity and make it more smooth and movable.
• Rubbing with textures: Exposing your scar to different textures can also help reduce its sensitivity, making it more used to the normal forces of daily life. Desensitizing a scar can take up to four months. You should begin as soon as you are done healing.
• Exercise: An early exercise program can prevent stiffness of the joints near your scar.
• Silicone gel: This gel can be placed on your scar in the form of gel or sheets, often at night. Wrapping the scar can reduce swelling and tension.
• Injections or surgery: For special scar problems such as burns, an injection or surgery may be recommended by your surgeon.

Some scars take up to a year to complete the healing process, which is complete when the scar is light in color, smooth, and no longer sensitive to touch. During the healing process, be sure to protect your scar from the sun. Learn more about scar treatment at www.handcare.org.