How to Prevent Scarring – Find out how attending to your wound with the right dressing or plaster can prevent lasting damage to your skin - and even scars.

A fall down the stairs, a car accident or surgery: many of life‘s events leave their marks as small or large scars. Nearly everybody has one or even more scars to remind them of such situations. Scars cannot only cause considerable pain when near joints and hinder mobility, but can also reduce self-confidence particularly when located on visible parts of the body.

Scarring is a natural process that happens when the skin repairs itself, for example from a cut or graze.

They occur when the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis is cut and the injury extends to the dermis. The organism is not able to replace the destroyed, highly specialised tissue in the same way.

Instead, the wound is “repaired” with connective tissue: In order to heal this wound or injury, the body produces a larger quantity of collagen to repair the broken and damaged skin tissue. Collagen serves to ‘bind’ the broken skin together, helping to close and heal the area.

AS SOON AS YOU GET A
MINOR WOUND OR SCRAPE,
YOUR BODY WILL START
HEALING IT.

Even after the wound has healed, the body continues to direct collagen to the site resulting in changes to the size and shape over time. The resulting scar does not have good blood circulation, is sometimes uneven and is less elastic. 

Scars can sometimes be raised areas (hypertrophic scars) or have a sunken appearance, depending on the damage done to underlying layers of skin and tissue. Also, variations in colour are possible.

Leaving wounds uncovered or using standard plasters and bandages usually leads into formation of a scab which can lead to unsightly scars. Nowadays there is a lot can you do to ensure fast and speedy recovery if you have suffered from an impairment to your skin – all thanks to new technologies and medical insights. Be smart and make the most of these scientific insights.

Healing wounds the advanced way –
with moist wound healing
The best way to treat a wound is to keep it covered with a plaster that provides moist wound healing conditions at all times. Why is this better than letting your skin heal in dry air?

• It will speed up the repair of your skin.
• It will prevent scabs from forming. 
• Because it will keep your wound supple.
• Because it will reduce the risk of scarring and ensure beautiful healing.
• Because it is skin friendly.

Want to know more? Read “5 good reasons for moist wound healing” here.

Pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown that under moist conditions, wounds can heal faster and scab formation is prevented. This is because moist wound healing promotes cell growth and migration and ensures that essential proteins stay in the wound. Moist wound healing is based on this advanced technology permitting control of the moisture level and temperature of the wound.

Several studies have shown that moist wound healing helps to prevent scars and is an advanced technology used in hospitals worldwide, as it recreates the natural, moist wound-healing environment skin needs to repair itself.

• it provides a moist environment so that no scab forms, allowing cells to move and divide quicker
• it allows the wound to heal faster
• it improves the overall healing process, since it keeps the wound moist, the skin flexible and any movement pain free.
• it is proven to reduce the risk of scarring, leading to a better cosmetic result after small injuries (and even after minor operations or mole removals.)

Don‘t pick at scabs. Right after you get a cut or scrape your body starts healing the wound. White blood cells attack infection-causing bacteria. Red blood cells, fibrin, and platelets create a clot over your wound. And in no time, a scab forms. If you pick off the scab, you may not only reopen the wound and introduce bacteria, you could also create a larger scar.

Always see your doctor if the wound is deep, bleeding or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth.  

Also make sure to seek medical help if you are not able to clean the wound properly.
In case you have diabetes a proper wound care is of special importance. Always discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor and/or podiatrist, even for the care of minor wounds and skin cracks – especially on your feet.
 
Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products‘ packages. Important: consult a health professional in case of any uncertainty of treating your wound properly.
 
The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care or advice. If you have or suspect a health problem, you should consult your doctor. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website.

For further information regarding Elastoplast products, please contact us via email on anz.consumerservices@beiersdorf.com. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products' packages.