How to Keep From Scarring

Cuts and abrasions are a part of everyday life. They can be caused by anything from accidents in the kitchen to contact sports and, whilst they tend to be minor injuries, they can still have long-term side effects. The most important, and most noticeable, of these is scarring. If a wound isn't treated properly, it can leave a disfiguring scar.

Things You'll Need

• Antibiotic ointment
• Petroleum jelly
• Gauze
• Medical tape
• Cotton buds

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash the area around the wound, brushing any particulate matter away. Then wash the wound itself, being careful to make sure that nothing is left in the area. This speeds healing and also helps prevent infection.

• 2

  Place petroleum jelly on the wound, being careful to cover the whole area. This prevents scabbing, which will lower the chance of scarring as a scab prevents the skin from healing at its normal height. A scabbed wound also is far more likely to dry up; the lack of moisture in the skin further distorts it and makes scarring more likely.

• 3

  Cover the wound if you're going to be going out into direct sunlight. Cut a square of medical gauze that will cover the wound and tape it in place using a roll of surgical tape. This not only helps the wound to keep moist but prevents it from receiving direct sunlight, which can slow healing. Even after the wound has healed, to cover the area with sunblock to prevent scarring.