Should vaseline be applied after dermabrasion?

Question

I just had dermabrasion on my scars and I let it scab for the first 24 hours and it came off when I put Vaseline on it. It scabbed over again even while using Vaseline, but this morning the scab slid off while I was reapplying. Will I scar? Should I have applied vaseline at all or let the scab dry and fall of itself? Thanks in advance.

Navin K. Singh, MD · Answer

After dermabrasion, vaseline or another occlusive dressing or ointment is used to help optimize wound healing.  Wounds heal best in a moist environment.  Ideally, you could have prevented scabs from drying up in the first place.  However, just because you formed a scab doesn't necessarily mean you will get bad scarring.Moving forward, consult with your physician, but keeping it moist is likely the best route.  (Occluding for too long also has some  mild risks -- like developing milia, or getting a fungal infection -- like a diaper rash).I would return to your surgeon for his/her input for sure.

Should vaseline be applied after dermabrasion?

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