Looking after scarred skin

According to Cosmetic Cops, there’s an easy-to-follow plan to minimize scarring. Although there’s a lot of anecdotal information about specific ingredients (such as aloe and vitamin E) to reduce scars, most of it is not supported by research. In fact, using vitamin E on scars may be just a waste of time, time during which you could have used more effective remedies instead. Here’s how to care for a wound to minimize scar formation:

• Allow the wound to “breathe” as much as possible. Do not gunk up the area with creams, oils, or vitamin E from capsules because these substances have occlusive textures that can impede healing during the first stages when the skin is trying to repair itself. The fluid that is produced naturally around a wound (known as exudate) is fine by itself for the first few days.
• Don’t soak the wounded area in water or get it wet for extended periods; doing so breaks down the scab and impairs the formation of new skin below.
• Keep the damaged skin clean using a gentle cleanser, but don’t overclean or scrub it.
• After cleansing, cover the wound with a thin, light bandage that allows air to circulate.
• You may want to consider a specialty adhesive dressing such as Nexcare Tegaderm Transparent Dressing or Convatec Duoderm Extra Thin Dressing. These cost more than standard bandages, but are excellent at keeping the wound moist without letting it get wet.
• If there’s a risk of infection, consider using an over-the-counter antibacterial liquid such as Bactine Original First Aid Liquid or Band-Aid Antispectic Wash, Hurt-Free. If the redness increases or if the wound changes color, throbs, or swells, consult a doctor without delay.
• After a day or two, apply a thin layer of a lightweight gel moisturizer or serum loaded with antioxidants (which are brilliant for helping skin heal) and other skin-repairing ingredients.
• If possible, rather than applying sunscreen to the injured area, keep it out of direct sunlight altogether, which means seek shade or cover it up. Sun exposure makes scarring worse, so protecting the injured area from the sun (as you should be doing for your skin everyday even if you don’t have a wound) is important.
• At night, change the bandage; if the wound is dry or itchy, apply a very thin layer of a lightweight moisturizer or serum, as mentioned above. Keeping wounds moist (but not wet) encourages healing. Tip: A lightweight moisturizer also makes the scab less itchy as it forms, and still allows the skin to breathe!
• Once a scab forms, don’t pick at it or even touch it—ever! Any manipulation or removal is a serious impediment to the healing that is taking place underneath the scab, and can cause scarring that otherwise would not have occurred.
• Do not irritate the skin! The skin’s primary, natural reaction to a wound is inflammation, so anything you do to irritate skin further makes matters worse.
• Avoid soaps (they’re too drying), highly fragrant products (whether natural or synthetic, fragrance is a skin irritant), and alcohol, peppermint, menthol, citrus, eucalyptus, clove, camphor, or any type of mint, all of which increase irritation and make matters worse.

Babor Skinovage PX Advanced Biogen Intensive Repair Cream 50ml is a very rich, deeply regenerative cream, suitable for treating scars. This cream contains Biogen Plant Extract, which is exclusive to Babor, and is formulated with selected active herbal and plant-based ingredients. It helps promote cell renewal and refines the surface of the skin, leaving the complexion looking more even-toned, regenerated and smooth and supple.

• Refines the surface of the skin.
• Prevents the formation of scars or improves the appearance of scars.

How to use:
Apply to face, neck and décolleté, morning and/or evening, after cleansing.

Active ingredients:

• Biogen Plant Extract.
• Royal jelly – Queen bee food; promotes regeneration.
• Cocoa butter – softly nourishes.
• Sesame oil, corn seed oil.