- Treatment options
- 1. In the first 7 days
- 2. Between the 2nd to the 3rd week
- 3. After 20 days
- 4. After 90 days
- When it is necessary to resort to plastic surgery
To decrease the thickness of the cesarean scar and make it as uniform as possible, massages and treatments using ice, such as cryotherapy, and based on friction, laser or vacuum, depending on the indication of a dermatologist, can be used. It may also be recommended to apply corticosteroid injection directly to the cesarean scar, depending on the size of the scar on the skin.
In general, treatment can be started 3 days after surgery, if the scar is not open or infected. In an initial phase, massage directly on the properly closed scar helps to remove adhesions and remove possible nodules that leave the scar site hard. See how to loosen the pasted scar.
When the scar is very different in color from the person's skin tone, or if it is hard, tall or very wide, it can be a sign of a keloid of the cesarean scar and, in these cases, a treatment for acids can be performed. specific that are applied by the dermatologist or physical therapist.
Treatment options
In order for the cesarean scar to close faster and be more disguised, with only a small thin and discreet line on the lower part of the belly, it is recommended to take some precautions according to the time of surgery, such as:
1. In the first 7 days
In the first 7 days after the surgery, it is recommended to do nothing, just resting and avoid touching the scar for infection or opening of the stitches. However, if after that period the scar is not very red, swollen, or leaking liquid, it is already possible to start to pass a healing cream around the scar, with gentle movements, so that the product is absorbed by the skin. Check some types of ointments to pass the scar.
It is also possible to use oil or moisturizing gel, sleep on your back, support your legs well with a pillow on your knees and, if the obstetrician doctor authorizes, you can do manual lymphatic drainage in the legs, groin and abdominal region and use a brace to compress the abdominal region, which also helps to protect the scar of the cesarean section.
2. Between the 2nd to the 3rd week
After 7 days of cesarean section, treatment to decrease the scar may also include lymphatic drainage to decrease pain and swelling. To help drain excess liquid, it is possible to use a small silicone cup to gently suck the skin, respecting the locations of the vessels and lymph nodes. Better understand how lymphatic drainage is done.
If the cesarean scar is tightly closed and dry, the person can begin to massage exactly on top of the scar with circular movements, up and down, from side to side so that the scar is not stuck and pulling the skin in return. If this happens, in addition to hampering physiological drainage, it may even make it difficult to stretch the entire belly area.
3. After 20 days
After this period, any changes can be treated with equipment such as laser, endermology or radiofrequency. If the cesarean scar has fibrosis, which is when the site is hardened, it is possible to remove it with radiofrequency equipment at the functional dermatological physiotherapy clinics. Usually 20 sessions are sufficient to remove much of this tissue, releasing the scar.
4. After 90 days
After 90 days, in addition to the resources indicated, it is also possible to use acid treatment that must be applied directly to the scar. These remain for a few seconds on the skin and must be removed completely and are very effective in removing the most superficial layer of the skin, renewing all of this tissue.
The acids must be applied by a dermatologist or by a qualified functional dermatologist, requiring 1 session per week or every 15 days for 2 or 3 months.
When it is necessary to resort to plastic surgery
When the scar is more than 6 months old and is more bulky than the rest of the skin around it, when it is very tight, if there is a keloid or if the appearance is not very uniform and if the person wants immediate treatment, it is more appropriate to do plastic surgery to correct the scar.
However, in any case, aesthetic physiotherapy is indicated for treatments that improve the appearance and decrease the thickness of the cesarean scar, in addition to improving the mobility of the tissues around it, increasing the woman's quality of life and self-esteem. However, in these situations, instead of 20 or 30 sessions, a longer treatment time may be necessary.
See below a video about essential care to facilitate healing and prevent the scar from sticking together:
