Post-Surgery Scar Care: Your 2025 Step-by-Step Guide

5 min read

Almost every surgical procedure leaves some form of scarring, but with proper aftercare and the right products, you can significantly reduce their appearance and support your skin's natural recovery process. Understanding how to properly care for post-surgical scars makes all the difference in your journey toward optimal results.

In this article:

Surgery Scars

A surgical incision in the skin creates a wound that your surgeon will close to promote optimal recovery with minimal scarring. Beyond the wound type, location, and closure technique, various factors influence your scar's final appearance—some within your control, others not.

Factors you can influence include sun exposure and lifestyle choices, while age, genetics, skin type, and ethnicity remain beyond your control.

Scars are part of your body's natural recovery process. Scar formation after surgery goes through three phases:

1. Wound closure. In the first phase, which starts immediately after wound closure by the surgeon and lasts for about 1 week, the body initiates wound closure by coagulation.

2. Scar formation. Over the next 1 to 2 weeks, fibrous tissue is formed by collagen and elastin synthesis, creating a scar that may be red and itchy.

3. Remodeling. During the final remodeling phase, the lower part of the scar undergoes a recovery and remodeling process which ideally replaces the initially disorganized deposited collagen with organized collagen, making the scar paler, softer, and less sensitive.

The scar usually takes on its final appearance after 1 to 2 years. Typical scars after surgery are:

• Hypertrophic scars, which start to develop during the inflammatory phase after which they rapidly gain volume within the limits of the incision, and

• Keloid scars, which start to appear about a year after surgery and are sometimes painful or itchy. They are voluminous beyond the surgical incision and commonly appear in areas with thick skin and on darker skin types.

Best Scar Removal Products for Post-Surgical Scars

Immediately after surgery for 1 to 3 weeks
Immediately after surgery, the wound is usually addressed with antibiotics and petroleum jelly to provide an ideal environment for the wound recovery process. Moisture protective dressings such as silicone gel sheeting can also be used to accelerate epithelialization and decrease collagen deposition.

After wound closure (about a week after surgery)
Silicone sheeting or gel is universally considered as the first-line prophylactic option for hypertrophic scars and keloids [1]. After the wound has closed, your doctor may recommend care with a topical scar product. This could be Nuvadermis® products or other similar formulations.

Nuvadermis Advanced Scar Gel

Comprehensive Scar Care Solution

A lightweight gel enriched with Retinol, Allantoin, and Vitamin E to support skin regeneration and visibly reduce the appearance of scars. Ideal for surgical, keloid, burn, and acne scars, this dermatologist-tested formula improves firmness, smoothness, and overall tone .

Key Benefits:

• Advanced scar care: Reduces the appearance of surgical, burn, hypertrophic, and keloid scars

• Retinol-infused formula: Supports skin renewal, firmness, and elasticity

• Targeted nourishment: Includes Allantoin, Vitamin E, Panthenol, and Betaine to soothe and repair

• Lightweight & fast-absorbing: Non-greasy texture for easy daily use on all skin types

Active Ingredients & Their Functions:

Retinol is one of the most popular skincare ingredients in the world, prized for its ability to encourage cell turnover for softer, smoother skin. Nuvadermis includes it in their scar gel to help ensure that your scars are as soft and flat as possible as your body repairs itself .

Allantoin is typically used in moisturizers to help soothe dry, itchy skin. As part of Nuvadermis Scar Gel, it hydrates the skin around your wound and reduces irritation so you can focus on your recovery .

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All Nuvadermis scar care products contain carefully selected premium ingredients. Nuvadermis advanced scar gel is made with premium-grade ingredients that are time-honored in minimizing the appearance of scars. The gel is also formulated to moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin so it feels radiant, soft, and refreshed [2].

The main objective of topical scar care products is to keep the freshly closed skin moist. Therefore, topical scar care products contain heavy moisturizing ingredients.

When returning to daily activities (about 2 to 3 weeks after surgery)
After the initial scar formation period, where a moist environment is most important for care, the incisional pain usually subsides, and patients return to normal activities. This means that the scar now needs extra protection against environmental factors, especially sunlight.

Exposing your scar to sunlight can make it care more slowly. It can also make the scar darker and more noticeable [3]. Fresh skin on scars is particularly sensitive to the sun, and it is highly recommended that you protect scars from the sun for around 18 months. This will help protect it from damage or maximize scar improvement during recovery [4]. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that's SPF 30 or higher [3].

Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E, protect the skin from photo damage, and a sunscreen protects the scar from sunlight.

Using Nuvadermis with Surgery Scars

You can enjoy 24 hour wear with soft, lightweight, and breathable sheets made with premium medical-grade silicone . Nuvadermis silicone products penetrate beneath the skin where they stimulate collagen production, support cell renewal, and lock in moisture. Studies report silicone gel produces 86% reduction in texture, 84% in color and 68% in height of scars [5].

All Nuvadermis scar care products contain hyaluronic acid or hydrolyzed collagen, and lecithin and/or glycerin. In addition to its water retention ability, hyaluronic acid has anti-oxidative properties and stimulates collagen production.

For scars exposed to the sun, there is Nuvadermis® Scar Gel with added skin protection, which, in addition to the advanced formula, helps prevent additional environmental damage.

Nuvadermis Silicone Scar Sheets: Professional-Grade Protection

Advanced Silicone Care Technology

Silicone gel products are an effective noninvasive approach to help prevent formation of pathologic scars and improve mature scars [6]. Topical silicone gel approaches seem to remain the first point of clinical recommendation in scar management [7].

Distinctive Features:

• Unlike most competitors who offer only universal clear or light-toned options, Nuvadermis provides different skin tones for better cosmetic matching

• Nuvadermis products are specifically designed to cut into long or short pieces of any shape to cover and protect your scar. They're not pre-cut so you can make them as long as you want, giving you complete customization for any scar size or location

• Sheets are reusable and can be re-used for up to 7 days

Clinical Support:

Silicone gel sheeting is a moisture-protective dressing thought to work by providing the wound with a damp environment conducive to faster epithelialization, while simultaneously decreasing collagen deposition. Studies have shown significant improvements in scar elasticity and appearance with the use of silicone sheets compared with untreated scars [8].

Step-by-Step Scar Care Timeline

Immediately After Surgery (1 to 3 weeks)

During these first crucial weeks, focus on following your surgeon's specific wound care instructions. It is of vital importance to keep the wound clean by washing the incision and performing routine dressing changes. Well-approximated surgical incisions epithelialize within 1 to 2 days, thus washing a wound may be safely started 48 hours postoperatively and should be done daily thereafter [9].

After Wound Closure (About 1 Week After Surgery)

Once your wound has closed, this is when the best scar care products can make a meaningful difference. Silicone scar approaches are effective at reducing the appearance of newer scars. Individuals who have undergone surgery may wish to use silicone creams, gels, or sheets as a healthcare professional directs [10].

Your Nuvadermis Care Protocol:

1. Clean and dry the scar area thoroughly

2. Apply a thin layer of Nuvadermis Advanced Scar Gel to the affected area and gently massage it into the skin until no shiny, wet or sticky feeling remains. Apply twice daily

3. Apply Nuvadermis Silicone Scar Sheets, customized to fit your specific scar

Returning to Daily Activities (2 to 3 Weeks After Surgery)

As you resume normal activities, scar maintenance such as sun block, scar massaging, scar gels, and silicone sheeting should be instituted to optimize outcome [9].

Long-Term Care Guidelines:

• Use Nuvadermis for as little as 8 weeks for new scars and for 3 to 6 months for old scars [11]

• Begin scar massage approximately 2 to 3 weeks postoperatively and perform twice daily 10-minute massages for a total duration of at least 6 weeks [9]

• Your scar will continue to recover for 12 to 18 months after your surgery [3]

Dermatologist Recommended Scar Care

U.S. News surveyed 134 dermatologists to rank the best scar removal products to find out which brands they most recommend [4]. Healthcare professionals consistently favor silicone-based products for their clinically-shown effectiveness.

Dr. Mohta recommends silicone gel sheets for older scars: "It's my most prescribed topical agent for any scar, whether fresh or old" [12].

Best Scar Care Products for Long-Term Results

For established scars that require effective scar care products for long term scars, Nuvadermis offers comprehensive solutions. Studies show that topical silicone gel is as effective as silicone gel sheet for helping prevent surgical scars and that it is also easier to use [13].

Mederma Alternatives: Science-Backed Options

When looking for dermatologist recommended scar care alternatives to traditional products, Nuvadermis provides clinically-effective formulations. Multiple well-done clinical studies have been done over the last 15 years that have confirmed effectiveness of silicone gel. Studies found that silicone gel significantly reduced multiple scar attributes including visual parameter pigmentation, vascularity, pliability, height, as well as symptoms of pain and itchiness compared with control wounds [14].

When Professional Care Makes Sense

If scars create textural changes to your skin, it is unlikely that an over-the-counter product will address them completely. In those cases, your skin will benefit most from medical intervention at your dermatologist's office. Still, medical and at-home approaches can help some scars blend into the skin and make them less noticeable [15].

Consider professional consultation when:

• For deeper or larger scars, OTC scar approaches may not provide desired results. In these cases, you may want to see a dermatologist for professional care, which can include lasers and prescription topicals [4]

• You notice unusual changes in your scar's appearance

Summary

Whatever post-surgery scar care needs you may have, there is an over-the-counter Nuvadermis® product for you, carefully formulated to target your specific needs, recommended by dermatologists and plastic surgeons, and designed to reduce the appearance of scars through clinically-shown results.

Researchers estimate that 50-80 million new scars are created each year because of surgeries. That number doesn't include scars from injuries, so it's safe to assume that most of us will deal with a scar at some point in our lives . With consistent use of science-backed products and proper aftercare, you can support optimal scar recovery outcomes.

Ready to begin your scar care journey? Explore Nuvadermis's complete scar care system and discover the difference that dermatologist-recommended, clinically-effective products can make in your recovery process.

References

1. Commander S, Chamata E, Cox J, Dickey R, Lee E. Update on Postsurgical Scar Management. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2016 Jul 26;30(03):122–8 [8].

2. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Keloids: Who Gets and Causes. 2020.

3. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Scars: Diagnosis and Care. 2020 [16].

4. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Proper Wound Care: How To Minimize A Scar. 2020.

5. Sidgwick GP, McGeorge D, Bayat A. A comprehensive evidence-based review on the role of topicals and dressings in the management of skin scarring. Arch Dermatol Res. 2015 Aug;307(6):461–77 [8].

6. Pan NC. Perspectives of microbial hyaluronic acid utilization in wound recovery.

7. Przylipiak A, Donejko M, Rysiak E, et al. Influence of caffeine and hyaluronic acid on collagen biosynthesis in human skin fibroblasts. DDDT. 2014 Oct:1923 [14].

8. Seattle Children. Scar Care.

9. NHS Hull University Teaching Hospitals. Scar Information – Caring For Your Scar.

10. Addor FAS. Antioxidants in dermatology. An Bras Dermatol. 2017 Jun;92(3):356–62 [4].

11. Murray JC, Burch JA, Streilein RD, et al. A topical antioxidant solution containing vitamins C and E stabilized by ferulic acid provides protection for human skin against damage caused by ultraviolet irradiation. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2008 Sep;59(3):418–25 [4].

12. What Are the Best Scar Creams? Healthline. 2020.

13. Best scar creams: For surgery, burns, acne, and more. MedicalNewsToday. 2020.

14. The 6 Best Scar Creams of 2020. VeryWellHealth. 2020 [4].