No matter how good your plastic surgeon is, it is almost guaranteed that you will develop a scar after any surgical operation. When skin sustains damage or is subject to incisions, part of its recovery process is scarring. While the idea of scarring can be enough to make some people reconsider going under the knife to begin with, the good news is that there are a number of different options and lifestyle choices that can help reduce the appearance of scarring following a surgical procedure. Understanding the causes of scarring and how you can help your body to heal itself are crucial in long-term minimisation of scars.

What causes Scarring?

There are a number of different factors that will influence the development of scar tissue following surgery. These include:

The Incision: Your surgeon will factor in scarring before making even a single cut. The placement and size of the incision plays a large role in the final appearance of scars.

Your Age: As you age, production of collagen in your skin decreases, affecting skin elasticity and causing problems with wound healing.

Genetics: Some people are more likely to develop noticeable scarring due to genetic predisposition.

Lifestyle: Certain lifestyle choices such as diet, sun exposure, or drinking and smoking can increase the risk of scarring following a surgical procedure.

Minimising Scarring

Luckily, some of these factors can be controlled, and further steps can be taken to minimise scarring.

Your surgeon

When considering any plastic or cosmetic surgery procedure, research is key to finding a surgeon with whom you not only feel comfortable but also who has a high level of competence and experience in the procedure they are performing on you. This can make a big difference as to the level of scarring.

Proper wound care

As well as following your surgeon’s instructions to the “t” you are also wise to source topical products which protect and hydrate wounds and encourage skin healing. Industry-leading company Stratpharma offers a variety of advanced products purely to deal with scars. Some products are designed for long term use to visibly reduce scarring, while others such as Stratamed are designed for use immediately after surgery, allowing the process of skin healing to begin straight away.

Avoid infection

It’s important to monitor surgical incisions closely to identify and remedy infection, which can lead to increased scarring. Stratpharma products dry to a flexible film, protecting your incision from harmful bacteria and possible infection.

Lifestyle choices

Drinking causes dehydration to the skin and wounds need enough moisture for it to properly heal. For this reason, most practitioners recommend patients to stay away from alcohol or caffeinated beverages while the wound is healing. Similarly, smoking also increases the risk of scarring, leading many surgeons to delay procedures to allow the patient to stop smoking for at least two weeks before surgery. Most surgeons will advise against the use of tanning beds and direct sun exposure during recovery.

If you’d like to find out more about Stratpharma’s Stratamed and Strataderm check them out: Stratpharma Australia

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