What's the best aftercare to reduce the appearance of post-op scarring?

There are many scar therapies available that can improve the scarring. Topical therapy that contains silicone is a good option. Scar strips can be found online, Scarguard and Cimeosil are excellent products to apply on scars.Massage therapy is a good adjunct to topical therapy. Micro needling is another excellent option. All of these can be used and should be use for a year after your surgery. Good luck!

Everyone from dermatologists to plastic surgeons has an opinion on this, which leaves a lot of patients confused between the difference between just using cheap vaseline on their wounds or products that are upwards of $200 for a 1 month supply. There is no right answer, and some of the evidence for the efficacy of products is anecdotal. One agreed upon principle is keeping the scars and wounds moist as they heal and even after several months. It has been suggested that the mere act of putting anything on the scars is beneficial because you are massaging the scar tissue itself and softening it faster. You can ask your plastic surgeon what he/she would advise, but just be wary that more expensive products won't blow your mind. They may just fade your scars out faster and you'll end up at the same place you'd end up if you had just used vaseline on your incisions, you'll just be there in 5 months instead of 12.