Ways to Reduce Surgical Scarring

Posted on November 18, 2020

As premier South Florida plastic surgeons, Dr. David Rankin and Dr. Dev Vibhakar are skilled in choosing the particular surgical technique that will minimize scarring for your cosmetic procedure. Key to that is carefully planning how many incisions will need to be made, and where they will be located. The process requires artistry, experience and precision.

Home Care

Drs. Rankin and Vibhakar will work closely with you to understand your preferences for placement and number of incisions. Once the surgery is over, there are things you yourself can do to speed the healing and ensure that any scars will be minimal in appearance. Your doctor will prescribe a topical medication that you will apply at home that will promote successful healing by keeping the area free of bacteria. The less energy your body devotes to defending against microbes, the more it can focus on healing.

Avoiding physical activity during recovery is another way you can help your body heal without stress or distraction. Vigorous exercise, reaching, lifting and straining can all pull at the skin and result in an irregular healing pattern. Your doctor will advise you when you may return to light activity such as walking, which is good for both your circulation and mood.

Lifestyle Choices

Smoking may seem like the type of behavior that, although damaging to your long-term health, wouldn’t have much of an effect on healing. In reality, smoking interferes with your body’s ability to supply ample oxygen to the cells, and oxygen is vital to the healing process. It is important not to smoke before your surgery and during recovery.

Finally, it is important that you minimize exposure to the sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays. It’s good advice on any day, but especially during the time your skin is working hard to close an incision. Sun exposure in the days after surgery can actually result in scars that are thicker and darker — and much more noticeable.

To find out more about surgical procedures, please contact Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling our Jupiter office at (561) 776-2830 or our Ft. Lauderdale office at (954) 564-3832.