What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
How to Prevent Facial Scarring
Although skin cells continuously regenerate, scars can form when skin is damaged. As unattractive as facial scars may appear, all scars play a role in the healing process. It’s the way the body responds to injury. The problem is the new tissue that replaces the damaged tissue is not the same; therefore, it may look different in color and texture from the rest of your skin.
Treat acne early. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, proper skin care is the best way to prevent scars 2. Cleanse the skin gently as scrubbing can make acne worse. Squeezing, popping, scratching or picking at pimples can cause scarring. Avoid doing anything to irritate the skin as inflammation is more likely to damage skin tissue and cause scars.
How to Prevent Scarring From Shingles
Learn More
Keep cuts and skin blemishes clean and free from infection. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your face with lukewarm water, which is best for cleaning dirt from the area. Apply an antibiotic ointment to wounds or open blemishes to reduce the risk of infection, which increases the likelihood that damaged skin will scar. Continue applications for about a week or until the area begins to heal.
Cover any open wounds with a bandage strip. A wound will dry out and scab over if you don’t cover it. The skin can heal faster if you prevent a scab from forming. Dr. David Leffell, professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine, points out that keeping a wound moist will help it heal twice as fast. Moisten the area with petroleum jelly and keep covered until you notice signs of healing.
How to Get Rid of Stitch Scars on the Face
Learn More
Massage the area a few times each day once it begins to heal. This can keep a scar from forming or make it less noticeable. Use your fingertips to massage in small, circular motions. Massage for about 30 seconds. Moisturizing the area with lotion before massaging will keep the wound from drying out.
Stay out of the sun. Ultraviolet rays slow the healing process and can discolor a scar. Apply a sunscreen with SPF higher than 15 before going outdoors.
Warnings
Do not use iodine or hydrogen peroxide to clean a wound as these destroy white blood cells, thereby slowing down the healing process.
Related Articles
References
- CBS News: Preventing Those Ugly Scars
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: What Is Acne?
- CBS Business Network: Prevent Lasting Scars
- Tanghetti EA. The role of inflammation in the pathology of acne. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013;6(9):27-35.
- Shi C, Zhu J, Yang D. The pivotal role of inflammation in scar/keloid formation after acne. Dermatoendocrinol. 2017;9(1):e1448327. doi:10.1080/19381980.2018.1448327
- Mari W, Alsabri SG, Tabal N, Younes S, Sherif A, Simman R. Novel insights on understanding of keloid scar: article review. J Am Coll Clin Wound Spec. 2015;7(1-3):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jccw.2016.10.001
- Gozali MV, Zhou B. Effective treatments of atrophic acne scars. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(5):33–40.
- Kwon SY, Park SD, Park K. Comparative effect of topical silicone gel and topical tretinoin cream for the prevention of hypertrophic scar and keloid formation and the improvement of scars. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2014;28(8):1025-33. doi:10.1111/jdv.12242
- Al-Kathiri L, Al-Najjar T. Severe nodulocystic acne not responding to isotretinoin therapy successfully treated with oral dapsone. Oman Med J. 2018;33(5):433-6. doi:10.5001/omj.2018.79
Writer Bio
Amber Keefer has more than 25 years of experience working in the fields of human services and health care administration. Writing professionally since 1997, she has written articles covering business and finance, health, fitness, parenting and senior living issues for both print and online publications. Keefer holds a B.A. from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. in health care management from Baker College.