Avenue Aesthetic Surgery have developed a comprehensive scar management program which includes immediate and long term care to minimise scarring from your operation.
The objective of our surgeons is to make your post-operative scar as inconspicuous as possible. This is done by hiding the scar in areas where it is difficult to notice and by meticulous suture technique.
We also have dressings nurses dedicated to your post-operative care. Our dressing nurses work closely with our surgeons to provide wound care for optimal recovery and aesthetic outcomes. For scar minimisation, it is very important that all patients follow the post-operative recommendations given by the surgeon and dressing nurses.
Factors that impact scarring
Whenever the skin sustains damage, such as that which occurs during surgery, there is the possibility of scarring. Some factors will affect the process of wound healing that are outside your surgeon’s control such as:
- Age: As we age, our skin becomes less elastic and becomes thinner. This is due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin and the thinning of the fat layer under the skin.
- Skin tone and complexion: Some skin colourations are more likely to scar than others. Those with specific skin tones are more likely to experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, hypertrophic and keloid scars.
- Size and depth of your incision: A large incision is much more likely to leave a scar than a small incision. The deeper and longer the incision, the more likely there will be scarring. A larger incision may also be exposed to more stress as the body moves which can cause slower healing.
- How quickly your skin heals: Genetics, existing medical conditions and medications can all impact the healing process.
- Lifestyle factors: Exposure to the sun, smoking, pollution and dietary intake can impact the healing capabilities of the skin.
Our scar management programme
Several immediate strategies can be undertaken to minimise the prominence of scars, including:
- Applying pressure/tape: Applying pressure on a wound is known to flatten it and prevent it from becoming raised. Pressure can be applied by taping the wound. Taping protects and supports the wound while also applying a small amount of pressure to the wound continuously.
We recommend keeping Micropore™ tape in place until it begins to fall off (7-10 days) and then replace it. Patients may shower 24 hours after surgery but should leave the Micropore™ tape intact. After showering, the tape should be patted dry or the cool setting on a hairdryer used to dry the tape. We recommend continuing to tape the scars for 3 months, replacing the Micropore™ tape only when necessary.
- Healite™ II LED Light Therapy: LED (Light Emitting Diode) Light Therapy is a gentle treatment that uses two clinically proven wavelengths of light (red: 633nm and near infrared: 830nm) to enhance cellular function. The treatment offers many benefits, such as:
- Assists with post-surgery wound healing
- Reduces pain, bruising, redness and swelling
- Offers protection against hypertrophic scar formation
- Achieves scar modification in young scars
- Reduces fine wrinkles and improves photodamaged skin
- Enhances skin tone and texture
- Improves post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (skin darkening)
- Improves dermatitis/eczema and psoriasis
- Silicone Gel: You will apply a silicone gel once a day for 3 months. The silicone gel is a rapidly drying, non-sticky, transparent formulation for the treatment of both old and new scars. It relieves the itching and discomfort associated with scars, reduces redness and discoloration and prevents abnormal and excessive scar formation.
- Massage with Rose Hip Vitamin A,C & E Oil: Massaging the scar is most effective when it is done often, for long periods of time and with firmness. The wound can be massaged after sutures are removed and the tenderness is settling down. We recommend massaging the scar twice a day with rose hip oil for 6 months. The rose hip oil contains vitamins A, C and E and other antioxidants and essential fatty acids and is clinically proven to assist with the healing of surgical scars, stretch marks, dry/flaking skin and pigmentation concerns. It also offers anti-ageing benefits.