Every scar, whether on the face or body, is ultimately the result of a dynamic wound healing process with several distinct stages. Each stage is crucial for proper wound healing, so it’s important to be mindful of your wound before it becomes a scar that everyone sees. Scars on the face are particularly irritating because a person’s face is often the first thing people observe when they meet you for the first time. Some facial scars caused by acne, injury, or surgery may be unavoidable, but there are steps you can take to reduce their appearance so you can remain confident in your own skin.

Continue reading to learn more about proper wound care so you can avoid excessive scarring on the face or another exposed area.

How to help facial scars heal

While it might be tempting, you should never cover a facial wound with makeup because it can slow and complicate the healing process. Wounds on the face should be kept moist with an antibacterial ointment and covered with gauze or bandage. Makeup can clog your pores and dry out your wound, stunting new tissue growth and the migration of new, healthy cells to the wound site. Keeping your wound covered can also protect it from UV rays from the sun, which is known to contribute to hyperpigmentation and discolored scar types.

Keeping your wound make-up free may be difficult, especially if makeup is part of your daily routine before work. However, to avoid any abnormal scarring down the road, it’s best to follow this simple wound care practice.

Avoid touching your face

Wound infection is one of the surest ways to increase the risk of scarring later on. This is because infection delays the wound healing process and can even cause excess damage to the surrounding tissue. You should never touch your face with dirty hands, especially if you have a facial wound. Your hands are loaded with germs from touching various objects throughout the day, including door handles, lights switches, and your cell phone. If you have to touch your face for whatever reason, make sure you wash your hands first.

You can determine if your wound is infected by several indications: Is it painful? Is it swollen and red? Is there yellow or green drainage? If you observe any of these signs, there’s a good chance your wound is infected. If so, you should immediately wash your wound with a mild cleanser and warm water. Once your wound is clean and patted dry, applying an antibacterial ointment can help prevent further infection.

Some scars are unavoidable. If you sustain a wound that penetrates the second layer of skin (dermis) or deeper, it’s likely a scar will result. However, there are clinically-proven ways to help your scars blend in with the surrounding tissue, rendering them less noticeable. This is especially important for scars on the face or some other exposed area.

Silicone-based products, like the Pro-Sil Silicone Scar Stick, are perfect for treating old and new scars on the face and body. Unlike other scar therapy products on the market that claim to diminish your scars, Pro-Sil uses the proven power of silicone to achieve optimal results. Topical silicone for scars helps to flatten and diminish unsightly scars like keloids and hypertrophic scars through dermal hydration and collagen regulation. Silicone-based products are safe and effective for all skin types and can be readily purchased online or through some physicians.

Biodermis is an innovative market leader with 30 years of expertise in the medical silicone industry. Visit Biodermis.com today to explore a complete range of scar management and post-operative care solutions.
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