How to Care for a Surgical Scar to Minimise Its Appearance

Surgeons do their part with careful technique, but how a scar finally looks also depends on what happens in the months afterwards — and much of that is in your hands. Here is an evidence-informed, practical routine.

Phase 1: while the wound is closing (first ~2 weeks)

• Keep it clean and follow your dressing instructions. Don't pick at scabs or peel tape early.
• Avoid tension. Limit stretching, heavy lifting, or vigorous exercise that pulls on the incision. Tension is a leading cause of wide scars.
• Watch for infection — increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge — and report it promptly.

Phase 2: once fully healed (from ~2–3 weeks)

When the wound is completely closed with no scabs or open areas, active scar care begins:

• Silicone. Start silicone gel or sheets daily. This is the best-supported at-home measure for keeping a scar flat and pale. Use consistently for at least 8–12 weeks.
• Massage. Once cleared by your surgeon, gently massage the scar for a few minutes, once or twice a day. This helps soften the tissue and prevent tethering.
• Sun protection. New scars burn and darken easily, and sun exposure can leave permanent discolouration. Keep the scar covered or use a high-SPF sunscreen for at least 12 months.

Phase 3: the long game (up to 12–24 months)

A scar keeps maturing for a year or more. Keep protecting it from the sun, and continue silicone and massage as advised until it has flattened and faded. Consistency over months matters more than any single product.

What to avoid

• Applying products to an open or scabbed wound.
• Sun exposure without protection.
• Vitamin E or "miracle" creams as a substitute for silicone — evidence for them is weak.
• Judging the scar too soon; give it the full maturing window.

If, after the scar has matured, it is still wide, raised, or tethered despite good care, that is the point to ask about scar revision.