There’s a lot of information on the internet that seems to indicate massaging your wound or scar may aid in skin repair and recovery. Massaging certainly has some benefits, as it is known to reduce swelling and pain in affected areas, but many have exaggerated its effects on other aspects of recovery. It’s important to take a look at what exactly messaging does for the body to gain a better understanding for its clinical significance in skin health. It may be the case that massaging your scar, in combination with clinically-proven scar management products, can significantly reduce the appearance of your scar over time.

Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of massaging in relation to skin health and to discover clinically-proven scar management products that are safe and effective.

What does massaging do for the skin?

The practice of massaging the body has been around since ancient times, with records tracing back many years to China, India, Egypt, and Greece. Massaging is a powerful remedy for reducing stress and tension. It can help allay aches and pains in your muscles and joints, allowing your body to feel more limber and relaxed. If you are dealing with an area of skin that is dry or itchy, massaging with an oil or lotion can help relieve these skin-irritating symptoms. Massages are known to increase blood flow and circulation, which is beneficial for wound care along with a number of other health-related issues.

If your goal is to reduce the appearance of your scar, there are some things you may want to avoid when it comes to getting a massage. Some massages utilize hot oils and stones. If you have sensitive skin or are predisposed to keloids and hypertrophic scars, intense heat may make your scar worse. If you are getting a massage with oil, it’s important to know what kind of oil is being used. Some massage oils are comedogenic, meaning they tend to clog pores, causing acne and breakouts. Deep tissue massages may be too tough on scar tissue, and if enough force is applied, can even reopen your wound.

Because scar tissue is on average 20 percent weaker than normal tissue, there’s a lot to look out for when messaging your scar. There isn’t a whole lot of clinical evidence to support the beneficial effects of massaging your scar, but that isn’t to say it doesn’t help. Gently massaging your scar with the tips of only one or two fingers can help reduce scar itchiness and promote moisture and flexibility. If you’ve recently had invasive surgery, you may begin gently massaging your scar two weeks post-op, or when your sutures have been removed. You should stop massaging immediately if you notice any blood, pain, redness or heat at the scar site.

In combination with massaging your scar, using topical medical grade silicone for scars may help to reduce your scar significantly. Silicone gel technology has been the gold standard for scar management for over thirty years. Doctors can feel confident referring their patients for silicone scar therapy because it is backed by years of clinical evidence and high patient compliance.

Medical silicone works through the mechanisms of dermal hydration and collagen regulation to flatten and reduce the appearance of keloids and hypertrophic scars. Old and new scars can benefit from silicone treatments, and products are easily accessible to physicians and patients alike. Medical grade silicone in the form of gel sheets, silicone sticks, and ointments can be used two weeks post-op or as soon as the sutures have been removed from your incision.


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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