• The most important thing is to follow the moist wound care instructions (apply ointment and nonstick bandaid, also, if possible) until sutures are removed or the skin heals over any open wound.
• It is normal for the skin to be red and firm the first few weeks after your procedure. It is possible for internal sutures to spit, instead of dissolve. If this occurs, sometimes you can get a pimple-like bump in the scar line. If you see a suture spit, you can leave alone, snip suture yourself, or return to the office for care.
• Exercise affecting the scar area is to be avoided for 2-3 weeks or more. Exercise pulls and stretches scars.
• Gently massaging scars for 5 minutes each night to decrease firmness and lumpiness is a good idea, but only on a scar older than one month old.
• Curad Scar Therapy, Bandaid Scar Healing Strips, or Neosporin Scar Solutions may be used after sutures are removed or after the skin heals over a wound. These often help scars improve faster and protect them from sunlight, which can darken scars, as well.
• Microdermabrasion or dermasanding (sanding the scar) can be done at 6-8 weeks after surgery to also improve scarring. Pulsed light treatments can be done to remove any tiny blood vessels that may have formed around the site. Fraxel Laser treatments can be done to dramatically improve scarring. Please call the office for evaluation.

If you have concerns regarding scar healing or repair, call MIMA Dermatology today for a consultation with your physician at 242-8790 in Viera or 674-9094, Melbourne.