Best Way to Minimize Developing Scar?

Optimizing local tissue will help in the long and short term treatment of a scar on the face. I would error towards using the creams, rather than not. Raffy Karamanoukian Los Angeles

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.

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.

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 agree silicone is now recommended without a clear reason why in the healing phase to reduce scarring. The thought is possible dermal/epidermal hydration by sealing the wound.

Also if it is far enough away from the eye, sometimes IPL/KTP/PDL laser can reduce thickening that can occur down the road like 6 weeks to 3 months. Unfortunately, the younger you are the more scar response that occurs. if it truly gets thick i also at times use 5-FU (5-fluoruracil), a non-steroid based injection, to manage thickening along with laser.

Obviously, these are general guidelines, and you must follow your own doctor's advice since i have not seen her as a patient.

Just some thoughts.

Best,
sml

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 particularly recommend Vitamin E, although that seems to be a favorite of pharmacists. I have seen allergic reactions to that too. Studies have been mixed with Mederma which incidentally is derived from onion...though please do not add it to a casserole.