However big or small your operation was, what you do in the weeks and months after surgery has a real effect on how your scar settles. This guide walks through how surgical scars heal, when to start scar massage and silicone, and how to protect a new scar from the sun — all based on current wound-care guidance.
How Surgical Scars Heal
Every surgical wound goes through the same broad healing process: an initial inflammatory stage, a rebuilding (proliferative) stage as new tissue forms, and a longer remodeling stage where the scar gradually matures. That final stage is a slow one — scars typically take 12 to 24 months to fully flatten and fade, and while you can’t make a scar disappear completely, good care during this window makes a genuine difference to the end result.
Right After Surgery
Follow your surgeon’s specific aftercare instructions closely — they’ll usually cover dressing changes, bathing, and activity limits for your particular procedure. Many surgeons recommend avoiding heavy lifting for several weeks, since everyday strain from lifting, cleaning, or other activity can occasionally cause an incision to separate. Getting help at home during this period, rather than pushing through, tends to lead to smoother healing.
When to Start Scar Massage and Silicone
Hold off on massage and silicone until the wound has fully closed and any stitches have been removed — using them too early, on skin that hasn’t healed, isn’t recommended and silicone in particular should never go on an open wound. Once your surgeon or nurse confirms you’re ready:
- Scar massage: Using a fragrance-free, water-based cream or oil, massage the scar in small circles, then up-and-down and side-to-side motions, with enough pressure to gently blanch the skin. Three to five minutes, three to five times a day, works well for most scars.
- Silicone: Apply silicone gel in a thin layer twice a day, or wear a silicone sheet for up to 23 hours a day on clean, dry skin. Silicone helps keep the scar hydrated, can ease itchiness, and tends to work especially well while a scar is still red or pink. Most people need several months of consistent use to see the benefit.
Many people combine the two — massaging in a silicone gel like our Rejuvasil Silicone Scar Gel, or using a silicone sheet from our Scar Fx Silicone Sheeting range between massage sessions. Consistency over weeks and months is what makes the difference, rather than any single application.
Sun Protection
New scar tissue is especially vulnerable to the sun, particularly in that first year of healing. Sun exposure can cause a scar to darken (hyperpigmentation), while sunburn can cause patchy lightening (hypopigmentation) — and either can become a lasting feature of the scar rather than a temporary one. Use a sunscreen of at least SPF30 on any visible scar, and where possible, keep it covered with clothing during peak sun hours.
If a Scar Becomes Thick, Raised, or Itchy
Most surgical scars gradually flatten and soften with time and consistent care. If instead your scar is thickening, spreading beyond the original incision, or becoming increasingly itchy or painful, it may be developing into a hypertrophic scar or a keloid — both covered in detail in our other scar guides, including what causes them and how they’re treated.
When Home Care Isn’t Enough
If massage and silicone aren’t giving you the results you’d hoped for after several months, there are further options worth discussing with your surgeon or a dermatologist: pressure garments, scar taping, corticosteroid injections, laser therapy, and — in some cases — surgical scar revision. These are generally considered once consistent home care hasn’t been enough on its own.
This page is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for personalised medical advice. Please follow your own surgeon’s specific aftercare instructions, and contact them if you have any concerns about how your wound or scar is healing.
References
- Great Ormond Street Hospital, “How Do I Take Care of My Scars After Surgery?”
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, “Worried About Surgery Scars? Here Are Some Tips.”
