There’s a song on the radio that goes something like this: “Our scars remind us that the past is real.” But if you don’t want those weird physical reminders of an old injury or surgery, there are ways to help your body heal quickly and seamlessly.
The number one thing you can do to help prevent ugly scars is act fast. If you can get a wound to close cleanly and quickly, you’ll be less likely to see a scar. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, you should see a doctor ASAP if the cut is bigger than an inch (or half an inch if it’s on your face) or has ragged edges.
If you’ll be treating your injury at home, the first thing to do is clean. Wash the area with warm water and a gentle soap. Sterile gauze can be used to brush away dirt or debris, but you may need a doctor’s help if you have something like gravel or glass embedded in your skin.
Don’t bother with the hydrogen peroxide, unless your doc recommends it. You don’t want to keep the wound open any longer than you have to.
As soon as the wound is clean, apply an antibiotic ointment. This will prevent infection and help keep the wound moist. Skin care experts believe that cells regenerate faster in a moist environment. Dry skin cells can become misshapen and promote scarring.
And keep that cut covered! A bandage keeps dirt out, helping to prevent infection. It also helps keep a scab from forming. When new cells grow around a cut, they start at the edges and meet in the middle. A scab can get in the way.
For quick wound treatment, keep this mantra in mind: Clean, Moist, and Covered.
(By the way, the song is “Scars” by Papa Roach.)