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Best Way to Minimize Developing Scar?

asked 2 years ago by Annie1234 in WI
Latest answer by Stephen Mandy, MD
Question viewed 3,262 times
Tags: age 17 or under, eyebrows, female, scar

My 3-year-old daughter has had her third facial laceration on her left eye, above her eyebrow. The first doctor told us to apply neosporin on the stitches to reduce scarring and this morning, another doctor instructed us not to use anything. What is the best way to minimize the scar that will develop?

4 answers to Best Way to Minimize Developing Scar?

+1

Early scar treatment

I agree that aquaphor is a good post injury ointment to promote healing, and as soon as the laceration has sealed (usually 5-7 days in that area) once a day application of 1% hydrocortisone cream once a day for a week or so will likely prevent a thickened scar.  After that a silicone cream may be helpful.
Stephen Mandy, MD

Miami Dermatologist
+1

Scar on the face

Unfortunately anytime the skin is cut, there will be a permanent scar if it is a full thickness cut. I find that paper tape or steri-strips that are left on for at least 6 weeks often lead to the best scars. I prefer a good sun screen afte everything has healed to both moisturize the skin and protect it fromt he sun.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar reduction

I agree that neosporin can have about a 10% chance of an allergic reaction. Aquaphor is much better. In rare cases when Aquaphor causes allergy (especially after peels), I use crisco. I only use this for the first 7 days until sutures come out because it can macerate the wound over the long run. In the short run, the moisture provides better epidermal healing. Studies from about 2 years ago have shown that vitamin e could actually worsen scar healing so i have stopped using it. Also, I... more
Samuel Lam, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Not Neosporin

I can almost guarantee that the first physician was not a dermatologist. We have seen way to many allergic reactions to Neosporin, especially if used on traumatized, or eczematous skin. I would use either Aquaphor or ScarGuard MD. There are other good silicone products on the market such as Curacare, Neosporin Scar Solution ( which does NOT contain the allergy producing Neomycin) Curad Scar Therapy. There are a number of other products in development to improve scarring. I would not... more
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist

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