To get the best aesthetic scar after surgery, it's important to remember the following.
Follow Directions - Plastic Surgeons are trained to make scars look as nice as possible.
Listen carefully to instructions on how to care for your scars right after your procedure Allow your scar to form new skin - Right after surgery, scars heal and re-epithelizalize, which is a fancy term for growing new skin.
It may take 1-3 weeks for your scar to form completely new skin, but it's important to simply allow your body to do that before considering any scar enhancing products.
Antibiotic ointments such as Bacitracin or Neosporin may also be recommended during this phase.
Realize that scars mature over a long period of time - Scar undergo a maturation phase for 6-12 months after surgery.
Non surgical treatment is typically effective within the first 6-12 months after creation of the scar, and this is when non-surgical scar enhancers such as silicone gel bandages, hydrocortisone, cortisone injections, and protection from the sun will help with the long-term appearance of the scar.
Follow-up is very important - If your plastic surgeon doesn't know you're unhappy with your scar appearance, then he/ she will be unable to recommend any non-surgical enhancing product during the scar maturation phase which can help with your scar appearance.
Cortisone injections may be very helpful to make your scar appear more aesthetically pleasing, but this is essentially impossible to do on your own.
You'll need to see your plastic surgeon to get this done.
Realize that everyone's skin is different - Your skin and body may heal differently than your sister, brother, Mom, Dad, or your best friend.
Despite your best efforts, your scar may be unsightly.
Don't despair- non-surgical treatments will work within a specified time period after surgery.
If you wait too long, then you may need scar revision, a minor surgical procedure to actually cut out the scar and scar tissue.
Remember, everyone heals differently, so the best person to talk to is your local plastic surgeon.