Can You Prevent Scarring?

From playground wipeouts and kitchen mishaps to surgical incisions, we all have scars with stories behind them. But most of us would rather our wounds heal without reminders of what went wrong.

So, what can you do to prevent or limit scarring when trouble leaves its mark? We asked dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, for some advice.

Tips to minimize scarring

Scars come from tearing a deeper layer of skin called the dermis. Your body produces collagen fibers to repair the area. While the fix is effective, it doesn’t quite restore your skin to its original state.

“It’s always going to be different from the original skin you had in that area,” says Dr. Khetarpal.

But the amount of difference can vary depending on what you do after the injury. Minimizing inflammation and guarding against additional trauma can lessen your chances of scarring.

Dr. Khetarpal shares these six tips to help your skin recover.

1. Clean the wound

Cleaning a wound with mild soap and water washes out bacteria. How does that relate to scarring? Well, bacteria can trigger inflammation that disrupts your skin’s normal healing process, resulting in thicker and more noticeable scars.

Infection can also delay wound closure and increase the risk of raised scars known as hypertrophic scars or keloids.

2. Keep wounds moist and covered

You might’ve grown up learning to keep cuts dry and open, but the opposite is actually true. Moisture prevents a wound from drying out and forming a hard scab that can lead to increased tissue damage and scarring.

Covering the wound protects it from infection and irritants that can cause inflammation and more pronounced scars.

“Keeping a wound moist and covered is best to prevent a scar,” confirms Dr. Khetarpal.

Something as simple as petroleum jelly (for moisture) and a basic bandage works well. Silicone gel sheets may also be effective, particularly in the early stages of recovery.

Antibacterial ointments can add moisture while also guarding against infection. A word of caution, though: Watch for allergic reactions, which can inflame the wound and increase the chance of scarring.

3. Leave scabs alone

Scabs serve as your skin’s natural bandages, so keep your fingers off them and let them do their thing. “Picking will only prolong your injury and keep it from healing,” emphasizes Dr. Khetarpal.

Think you’re picking at scabs in your sleep? Purchase a pair of cotton gloves to wear to bed.

4. Minimize movement

Keeping a wound stable allows skin tissue on either side of the opening to better align and heal. “Every time the scar moves, it has a chance to tear and widen, which can lead to a thicker scar,” explains Dr. Khetarpal.

Bottom line? Do your best not to overexert the injured area.

5. Limit sun exposure

Sunlight is notoriously rough on your skin — and that’s especially true if you have a potential scar forming.

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can darken scars by increasing pigmentation to make them more noticeable. UV rays can also damage collagen and slow the healing process to create more pronounced scars.

“Protecting scars from the sun’s damaging rays by using sunscreen or covering them can help minimize their appearance and promote better healing,” says Dr. Khetarpal.

6. Massage and moisturize

Massaging a moisturizing cream into a scarred area can have an enormous impact on healing, says Dr. Khetarpal. Any simple over-the-counter moisturizer will do, too. You don’t need special “scar” creams.

“Within the first year after an injury, you can see benefits from doing a gentle massage on your scar for a few minutes a day,” she adds. “It helps break up any scar tissue for ones that are getting thick.”

When to get medical help for scar prevention

If you have a wound that looks like it could leave a lasting mark, talk to a doctor as soon as possible about your options. Timing is important to minimize a scar’s appearance as your skin goes through its year-long remodeling process.

“If you’re concerned about scarring — like after a surgery or a major trauma — the earlier we intervene, the better,” advises Dr. Khetarpal. “We can actually influence how a scar heals versus waiting for it to heal and then trying to address it.”

You can explore scar-minimization options as early as a week after an injury (or once stitches are removed). In-office procedures such as lasering and microneedling — which trigger a controlled wound response — can reduce the appearance of scars by more than 50%.

“We can’t erase a scar,” notes Dr. Khetarpal, “but we can improve it.”