Open heart surgery, also known as cardiac or cardiovascular surgery, is a major invasive procedure that requires a surgeon to open the rib cage and operate on the heart. Numerous complications with the muscles, valves, and arteries of the heart can be corrected with open heart surgery. People with coronary heart disease or congenital heart disease, in addition to heart attack victims, are potential candidates for this procedure. Any kind of injury or trauma to the heart, if serious enough, may also require open heart surgery.

Notwithstanding modern medicine, post-operative care and recovery often present big challenges for some patients. One aspect of heart surgery recovery that receives little attention is the cosmetic appearance of a patient’s scar. If you are predisposed to keloid or hypertrophic scarring, continue reading to learn what you can do to promote fast recovery and prevent nasty scars.

Traditional heart surgeries left patients with scars over the sternum measuring 6 to 8 inches in length. These scars were unsightly and painful, and would often lead to keloid or hypertrophic scar formations. Fortunately, with modern advances in medicine and technology, minimally invasive procedures are much more common. It’s possible for a heart surgery patient today to leave the operating table with a scar 2 to 4 inches in length. Minimally invasive surgeries reduce scarring and the risk of infections, and usually lead to quicker recoveries.

Patients may experience different recovery rates after an open heart surgery, but as a general rule, one's health will stabilize after 8 to 12 weeks. If you want the best results for your scar during this recovery period, follow the four tips listed below.

For optimal recovery results after open heart surgery, it’s important to follow any instructions given by your surgeon in addition to these steps.

Scar care products can be found everywhere online and in stores. But many of these products contain ingredients that aren’t supported by clinical evidence and can even be harmful to your skin. Knowing which products to purchase and which to avoid is vital for improving the appearance of your scar.

Vitamin E found in many scar gels and ointments has no proven benefits for reducing the appearance of scars. In fact, in one study conducted by doctors Bauman and Spencer, vitamin E was shown to have no effect on the appearance of patients’ scars. In some cases, patients contracted contact dermatitis from vitamin E exposure and the appearance of their scars worsened. Onion extract found in Mederma has similarly poor results, and there is yet to be any conclusive evidence for its use as a scar treatment.

Silicone gel sheeting has been on the market for over 30 years, and numerous clinical studies support its efficacy as a prominent scar therapy solution. Through the mechanisms of hydration and collagen regulation, silicone sheeting is able to soften and flatten old and new scars. But not all gel sheets are made equal, and it’s important to do your research before buying. Silicone sheets found in the store only measure about 1 to 2 inches in length, so you would need multiple sheets to cover the size of your open heart surgery scar. Store-bought silicone gel sheets are flimsy and ineffective, and they aren’t meant for larger scars.

Biodermis emerged 30 years ago as a trusted leader in post-operative care and scar management. For scars 4 to 6 inches in length resulting from open heart surgery, Epi-Derm C-Strips are the perfect solution. Scars 7 to 11 inches in length can be effectively managed with Epiderm Long Strips. Silicone gel sheets can be cut to fit your scar size and reused for up to two weeks. As an alternative to traditional gel sheeting, Pro-Sil silicone scar sticks represent a unique and convenient treatment option for small and medium-size scars.