Best Scar Care Regimen For Your Face

Your face is one of the most essential components of your body image. It is an important part of your personality and the first thing people see when they meet you. Consequently, a facial injury resulting in a scar or acne scars may greatly influence your perception of yourself and negatively affect self-esteem.

The face is one of the most exposed parts of your body, so you may find it hard to protect it at all times after an injury, thereby increasing the risk of scar formation. Read on to discover how you can care for your facial skin to help prevent and improve the appearance of scars.

• Facial scars are not generally different from other scars
• They can be more visible than other scars
• Look after them as you would most scars

In this article, we’ll ask:

• What makes your face special?
• Are facial scars different from other scars?
• How can you keep your facial skin healthy?
• What can you do to improve the appearance of scars?

What makes your face special?

Your face is special because it communicates your emotions and your personality. In terms of skin features, your face is also different from the rest of your body. Your facial skin is one of the most, if not the most, exposed parts of your body.

Despite the fact it is exposed to harmful elements, such as sunlight, pollution and humidity, your facial skin is thinner and composed of smaller cells than the skin on the rest of your body ^[1]. In addition, it contains more oil glands and hair follicles than your average skin area ^[2,3].

For these reasons, you should always take care of your face and pay special attention to it – whether under normal circumstances or after an injury.

Are facial scars different from other scars?

Facial scars are not generally different from other scars. They are like any other type of scar and can occur in the same way as those on other parts of your body. There are three main types of scars: hypertrophic, keloid and atrophic.

The first two are created by excessive collagen production and are usually caused by surgery or burns. The latter type is the result of a lack of collagen production and is typical of acne scars (but not exclusive to them).

Often we’re more self-conscious of facial scars because they tend to be more visible to others and when we look in the mirror. For the most part this is because the majority of people tend not to cover their face on a day-to-day basis; there are, of course, exceptions.

Coupled with the fact that scar tissue, and more specifically keloid or hypertrophic tissue, lacks hair follicles ^[6], this can sometimes result in a stark contrast compared to surrounding hairier skin.

Moreover, if you have a darker or fairer skin tone, you are also more likely to develop noticeable scars, since they tend to get hypo- or hyper-pigmented ^[7].

Since they are harder and less likely to be concealed, facial scars can be an ongoing reminder of past traumas or injuries, which in turn can lead to damaging psychological effects.

It’s therefore important to take care of your skin and deal with any scars early.

How can you keep your face healthy?

The following tips can help to keep your facial skin healthy:

Having healthy skin is one of the ways to help reduce the chances of post-injury/surgery scar formation. Once an injury has occurred, on your face or any other part of your body, try to act fast if you can to care for the wound. Some face injuries may require you to wear a dressing. This might feel unpleasant or uncomfortable but will be effective in protecting the healing skin, therefore limiting scar formation.

As part of your facial regimen, you might want to:

Massage your scar
Scar massage is one method that can help to soften and flatten scars. It can also help promote the production of collagen, reduce itchiness and provides moisture and flexibility to the scar tissue area.

Moisturise
Use a moisturising lotion that will keep your skin soft and supple. Be mindful not to use anything too perfumed.

Try a specialist scar care product
Mederma’s unique formula with triple benefits hydrates and conditions the skin, improves skin texture and visibly reduces the redness of scars.

Avoid the sun
While your scars are healing, you should avoid sun exposure. You should use sunblock with an SPF of 35 or greater and wear protective clothing at all times.

What can you do to reduce the appearance of scars?

Keeping your skin well hydrated and protected after wound healing, with the right type and amount of skin protectant can help reduce the appearance of scars. That’s because scars tend to develop when the skin is not hydrated enough. Choose a product that includes a moisturising agent – and apply it regularly once the wound has healed.

During application, don’t hesitate to thoroughly massage your scar, as this might help it fade. But don’t try it until two weeks after complete healing.

Mederma’s unique formula with triple benefits hydrates & conditions the skin, improves skin texture and visibly reduces the redness of scars. Our products include Mederma® Advanced Scar Gel, Mederma® PM Intensive Overnight Scar Cream and Mederma® for Kids.

Summary

Your face is fundamental to your appearance, so it’s perfectly understandable if you’re worried about scars. But keeping your skin healthy and hydrated can help reduce the risks of scars forming in the first place. A range of skincare products are also available to soften the scar if an injury strikes.

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