It is possible to intervene at each stage of healing to promote healing and minimize sequelae, according to our partner
The Conversation
.
The use of weakly antiseptic solutions, containing for example silver, would be able to have a positive influence on the formation of scars.
This analysis was conducted by
Michael Freeman
, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Bond University (Gold Coast, Australia).
Removal of a skin tumor on the face or body, accident or injury that required stitches, surgery... Cuts leave marks on our epidermis, and we generally want these scars to heal quickly and be as invisible as possible.
The majority of scars form within the first six months following an injury.
If we want to minimize the consequences, we must first take an interest in scarring.
This complex process has three main phases: inflammation, proliferation and remodeling.
They are orchestrated by specific chemical substances, which act on the different layers of the skin.
It is possible to intervene at each stage of healing to promote healing and minimize sequelae.
But how ?
The inflammation phase
This phase occurs immediately after an injury.
It eliminates bacteria and improves blood flow to the wound.
Eliminating bacteria is also the primary goal of cleaning and disinfecting a wound.
Indeed, if microbes penetrate inside the body, the quality of the healing can be altered.
It is in particular to eliminate bacteria (and their spores) that the patient's skin is disinfected before surgery.
But not all wounds are "programmed".
What to do if you accidentally hurt yourself?
In this case, the cleaning must be carried out within two hours of the accident.
This step is essential for good healing.
After a fall on the ground, for example, it is important not to leave dirt inside the wound, even if this means rubbing it with soap and water.
An application of povidone iodine (a water-soluble chemical complex of iodine and polyvinylpyrrolidone, sold under the trade name Betadine ®) will also help reduce the risk of bacterial spore activation.
In case of injury, our body naturally produces a substance with antiseptic properties, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).
Unfortunately, external application of hydrogen peroxide can slow wound healing.
Only the use of weakly antiseptic solutions, containing for example silver, is able to have a positive influence on the formation of scars.
Do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on this subject.
The proliferation phase
During this phase, there is a multiplication of blood vessel cells, epidermal cells and fibroblasts (collagen-producing cells residing in connective tissues, which act as a “support” for other tissues).
These cause a contraction of the scar which can “wrinkle” the skin.
Collagen also plays a role in the appearance of scars.
This protein, the most abundant in the body, contributes in particular to the solidity of the skin.
It is constantly produced and degraded by our body.
This can affect the appearance of the wound for at least six months after scar formation.
Once the redness subsides, the scars tend to be white and somewhat shiny.
The remodeling phase
The formation of hypertrophic scars (which rise above the level of the skin, but regress slowly) or keloid scars (which extend beyond the site of injury and do not subsequently regress) is often genetically determined.
In people who develop these scars during the remodeling phase, the signal to stop collagen production within the wound is disrupted.
The occurrence of this type of scarring is also partly related to the type of injury suffered, and the care provided.
Hydrogel and dressing
For clean, uninfected wounds, applying a hydrogel (a polymer that retains moisture and does not dissolve) can speed healing.
Indeed, when the wound is kept moist, the proliferation of surface skin cells is promoted.
On the other hand, under a hard crust, their growth is slowed down.
Wound gels that contain antiseptics and preservatives should be avoided, not only in case of allergy, but also because antiseptics can impede healing.
For example, it is better to use a hydrogel suitable for application to the eye.
You should also know that there is an intimate relationship between the blood vessels and the fibroblasts that produce collagen.
As a result, scars that look red (therefore very irrigated by blood vessels) and that itch are likely to get bigger, and therefore leave larger marks.
In such a situation, keeping the scar covered, to improve hydration, can make a big difference.
This is why it is advisable to cover the scar with a silicone dressing and a hydrogel for as many hours as possible.
If you are prone to scarring, consult your pharmacist, who can advise you on hydrogel formulations that you can use daily, once a day, alternating weeks with application and weeks without application.
Use this product under a silicone dressing to help reduce the scar.
Your doctor may also suggest a bleaching cream.
Finally, a dermatologist equipped with a vascular laser (a tool that targets abnormal blood vessels in the skin to reduce redness) can also help you, especially during the early stages of the scar.
A few more tips
Keeping the scar moist using oils is more difficult than using a silicone dressing, but it helps reduce excess scarring, sometimes called “scar scarring”.
Finally, it is important to avoid overexposing the scar to sunlight.
It happens that the scars become much darker than the rest of the skin, and ultraviolet rays are the main avoidable factor concerning this risk.
OUR “HEALTH” FILE
Wound healing is a complex process.
However, do not hesitate to seek advice from your doctor, your pharmacist or your dermatologist: they will be able to provide you with the advice best suited to the specificity of your injury!
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