Our Approach to Scar Care is as Simple As This:

"If We Support the Scar, the Scar will NOT need to support itself"

 

If a Scar is Well Supported:

1. It will NOT become Thicker

2. It will NOT become more red than the surrounding tissues.

3. It will NOT become Itchy or Irrittating

How do We support the Scar?:

• By taping the scar with unstretchable tape such as Micropore(3M)
   
  • Tape applied simply without tension (as you would place a postage stamp)
     
  • Place the tape in such a way that the scar is under the centre of the tape.
     
  • Ensure that the tape becomes firmly adherent (stuck) - this takes 2 hours of quiet behaviour, no exercise, no bathing,
     
  • Leave the tape in place long enough so that it starts to loosen by itself. This varies from 3 days on the central panel of the face to 3 weeks on the back.
     
  • Do NOT remove the tape too early, you will pull some skin off and damage the scar surface, possibly even causing infection.
     
  • Continue this taping process until the scar becomes pale. This takes anything from 4 months to a year (depending on age, area and skin type.)
     
  • Continue to check the scar after taping is completed and, if it becomes pinker, tape it again.
     
• By supporting the surrounding area as well as possible e.g. wearing a well fitting bra to support a breast scar.
   
  • Every possible way of supporting the scar will help
     
  • Remember that there are usually internal scars that cannot be supported by tape
     
  • We all know that a broken bone needs support by means of a splint or external cast and that, if such a cast allows too mych movement, the callus or "bone scar" will be much bigger while in a completely immobilised bone such as when plates and screws have been used, there is hardly any callus.
     
  • The same principle applies in soft tissue scarring.
     
• By decreasing tension on the scar in other ways e.g. using Botox in the area of a forehead scar
   
  • Any means of tension reduction and movement reduction around a scar will help to heal the scar in a softer and finer way.

How Long do We Need to Tape?

Until the scar has Matured (gone pale) - 4 to 12 months

 

How Often do We Need to Change the Tape?

Leave it on as long as it is stuck - this may vary from 3 days on the face to 3 Weeks on the Back

 

Problems

• Blistering & Redness of skin under tape
   
  • This is usually because the tape was applied under tension
     
  • Allergic reaction to the tape is MOST UNCOMMON
     
• Redness & stinging around taped area after removing tape
   
  • Tape removed too soon
     
• Scar thickening despite taping
   
  • Check the taping - there is not enough support, it should be widened or direction should be changed

get to where you were

or

Choose an Option

Services

Home