Best Scar treatment regimen for your face

Your face is special

Yes, your face is special, and not only because it communicates your emotions or other reasons you might be thinking of. In terms of skin features, your face is different from the rest of your body. Your facial skin is one of the most, if not the most, exposed part of your body.

Despite the fact that it is exposed to harmful elements, such as sunlight, pollution and humidity, the face skin is thinner and composed of smaller cells than the skin on the rest of your body ^[1]. In addition, it contains more oil glands and hair follicles than your average skin ^[2,3]. For these reasons, you should always take care of your face and pay special attention to it compared to other parts of your body, whether under normal circumstances or after an injury.

How can facial skin care reduce scarring?

Following this advice is likely to keep your face healthy. Keep in mind that a healthy skin is one of the levers to help you reduce the likelihood of post injury/surgery scar formation.

Once an injury has occurred, on your face or any other part of your body, act fast and care for your wound. Some face injuries may require of you to wear a dressing that may feel unpleasant or uncomfortable but are effective to protect the healing skin, thereby limiting scar formation.

Are facial scars different from other scars?

Simply put, no. Facial scars are like any other type of scar and occur the exact same way as scars on other parts of your body. There are three main types of scars: hypertrophic, keloid and atrophic scars. The first two are due to excessive collagen production and are usually caused by surgery or burns, and the last type is the result of a lack of collagen production and is typical of acne scars (but not only).

However, facial scars are different from other scars because they tend to be more visible than scars located elsewhere on your body. There are various reasons for this.

Firstly, your face is usually the last thing you cover and protect from the environment, thereby rendering it more sensitive. This is especially true for men as scar tissue, and more specifically keloid or hypertrophic scar tissue is void of hair follicles ^[4], sometimes resulting in a very stark contrast compared to the neighboring hairy skin. If you have a darker or fairer skin tone, you are also more likely to develop noticeable scars since scars tend to get hypo- or hyper-pigmented ^[5]. Since they are hard to conceal, once formed, facial scars may become permanent reminders of past traumas or injuries and, therefore, may have damaging psychological effects ^[6]. But, if you treat it well, you will be able to fade it.

What can you do reduce the appearance of scars?

Keeping your skin well hydrated and protected by using the correct kind and amount of skin protectant after wound healing is important as scars tend to develop when the skin is not hydrated enough. Choose the right protection for you, which includes a moisturizing agent and apply it regularly once the wound has healed. During application, don’t hesitate to thoroughly massage your scar since massaging it will help the scar fade, but don’t do it earlier than two weeks after complete healing ^[7].

In terms of which product to use, Mederma® Scar products are excellent options as they all include a triple action skin protectant formula and are part of the No. 1 brand of scar reduction treatments, recommended by doctors, and pharmacists, according to a 2020 survey*.

Also keep in mind that scars do not tan, they burn, so, if your lifestyle involves you being outside a lot, it is better to go for a scar treatment with SPF or a sunscreen compatible product. If you want a higher SPF, every Mederma® Scar product can be combined with an SPF lotion or cream.

*IQVIA ProVoice Survey, February 2020

Summary

As your face is exposed, there is a higher risk of scar formation from any injury. The best approach is to start wound care and scar prevention fast. Massaging your skin and keeping it hydrated, along with using sunscreen, could help aid wound healing and reduce the appearance of scars.

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