As a Montreal plastic surgeon, I know that surgery is not the easiest medical procedure to undergo, and there is often a recovery period as well as possible after effects to deal with. One of those after effects is scarring. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent, minimize, or fade scarring so nobody has to know you went under the knife by looking at your skin.

1. Clean the Wounds While They Are Still Fresh

It is advisable to clean fresh surgical wounds regularly so as to prevent bacterial infection. For small wounds, simply placing them under clean and cool running water is the best way to heal. You should actually avoid substances such as alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and iodine, as these may actually delay the healing process.

2. Ensure That Your Wound Remains Covered and Moist

Wounds should be concealed and kept moist, as this speeds up the healing process. Rather than bandages, you can use antibiotic cream or ointment. This will also help reduce the appearance of scars.

3. Avoid Touching the Scabs

As tempting as it might be to pick at a scab, they were formed for a good reason. Scabs form in order to protect the wound from outside infection. Picking at a scab can cause the wound to reopen resulting in a bigger scar.

4. Avoid Heavy Exercise

The chest, shoulders, and back are areas where scabs are prone to form. If you have wounds in any of these areas, then you should avoid strenuous exercise or lifting heavy objects until the wound fully heals.

5. Use Creams

You can use sunscreen not only for preventing sunburn but also for preventing scarring. Apply sunscreen near the wound to minimize the occurrence of scarring. Alternatively, you can use petroleum jelly or silicone gel. Bleaching creams can be used for dark scars, but consult your doctor before you use it. Finally, there are also inflammation creams that help fade scars.

6. Get Steroid Injections

Injecting steroids may help flatten scars that are swollen but may only be effective if used over the long term.

7. Get Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a procedure used to safely remove the surface of the skin using special equipment, which can reduce the appearance of scars.

8. Get Laser Treatments

Laser technology is also useful for removing scars. This treatment can be done in one of two ways – either the skin’s surface is removed, or the lasers are just focused on the collagen in the dermis leaving the upper layer of the skin in tact.

9. Eat Healthy

Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can produce the nutrients your body needs to facilitate a quick healing process and reduce scarring.

10. Apply Aloe Vera

The aloe vera plant is a time tested treatment for wounds. Rich in anti-inflammatory properties, it helps build new cells and facilitates the production of collagen.