The information below applies whether you just had a Cesarean surgery or it’s been over a year. It is best to start immediately with a new scar, but it is NEVER to late to help heal and reduce the appearance of one.
1.) Nutrition nutrition! The cells in your body can only heal and be as healthy as you allow them with the food and nutrition you intake in your body. For any surgery and any wound healing, collagen is essential.
The easiest way to make sure you get enough collagen is to take its vitamin precursor, which is vitamin C, and make sure you are getting ample high quality protein such as bone broth, wild fish, organic meats, free range chicken, lentils, and beans.
I recommend to my patients at least 5,000 mg a day of vitamin C until at least 12 weeks post op. This helps reduce the chance of infection, helps the skin smooth, and helps the wound heal faster. If you are further than a few months after your surgery, try this protocol as it is still helpful!
2.) Silicone sheets! These are so helpful at reducing the chance of keloids and trapping moisture into the skin to help the scar from raising and becoming larger in appearance. Especially for mamas who have had their surgery a while ago because these can cause a definite difference. They really do work but only with consistency. Do NOT use until 6 weeks post op. You can cut a thin piece as long as the size of your C-section scar and place it over for up to 24 hours. Follow directions accordingly. I’ve included a good brand below.
3.) Vitamin E
Save yourself the money and weak concentration of Vitamin E included in most scar creams. Pure, unadulterated vitamin E is the most potent and effective. The oil should not be brown as this means it has oxidized and no longer potent but rather a golden color. You can pierce a capsule and apply it directly to the scar. Massage in one direction and then massage counterclockwise in the other direction as this best breaks up the scar tissue and smooths it out. I recommend starting the vitamin E after full use of a silicone scar package or whenever your silicone sheet is not on your scar.
4.) Scar tissue massage
There are many ways you can do this. I recommend starting laying on your back with your knees bent. Using vitamin E oil, gently massage it into your scar. Does this hurt? Do you feel more bumps and adhesions on one side of your scar more than the other? Focusing on the “bumpy” areas and if there is no pain present, gently pluck your skin with your fingertips and roll the scar tissue between your fingertips. This breaks down adhesions in the scar tissue and allows the skin more mobility so it does not become trapped in tight areas around the scar. Massage clockwise in one direction and then counterclockwise in the other direction. The reason for this is because scar tissue builds up in a messy explosive pattern almost like tendrils and massaging in opposite directions allows the scar tissue to thin and become more organized and smooth.
If you have any questions or concerns or don’t know where to start with massaging and working on your scar tissue, let’s chat and get you started on helping heal yourself! At our clinic we use medical grade tools to thin out the scar and decrease adhesions. Get started!
-Dr.Sarah
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