Scar Removal Do's and Dont's

DO gently massage the skin once the wound is completely healed.
"Massage helps break down the dense bands of collagen that attach to underlying tissue—a common reaction to cesarean sections, appendectomies or hand wounds," according to Robert Bernard, M.D., a plastic surgeon based in White Plains, New York, and president-elect of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

DO cover a wound. Allowing a fresh wound to breathe and dry out will actually delay healing by as much as 50 percent.
"Moisture prevents the formation of a hard scab, which acts as a barrier to the development of new tissue," says dermatologist Bruce Katz, M.D., an associate clinical professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and director of Juva Skin and Laser Center in New York City. He advises treating the affected area daily with an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin (which will prevent infection, another hindrance to healing)

I use Manuka honey myself on minor wounds and cuts. Considering the extraordinary benefits of active Manuka honey and the fact that this natural product has no skin irritating side effects that many regular skin and scar creams do have.

Do use silicone scar sheets as soon as the wound is closed. Silicone patches are a proven effective scar removal product which has shown to inhibit the formation of collagen.



Don't use Vitamin E on your scar. Despite what you read on many reviews and other places this is not a good scar treatment.
In a University of Miami study vitamin E has been shown in to impair wound healing. (In addition, 30% of the patients tested also developed an allergic reaction.)

Don't expose new scars to the sun. The sun's ultraviolet radiation slows the healing process and can cause dark discoloration. Always use a sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) when you are out in the sun.

Don't decide to use invasive scar treatments like laser treatment or steroid injections too soon. There are risks involved and these treatments can better be considered as a last resort.

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Treating wounds with honey | a Natural remedy with many benefits

Nature's Antibiotic | How to heal wounds faster
Until now I have only talked on this blog about things I know from experience. I'll make an exception because of the fact that it concerns a natural treatment which has some pretty convincing characteristics speaking on its behalf. I'm talking about treating wounds with honey.

Most modern medications have ambivalent traits. Antibiotics for example are known to kill bacteria but on the other hand have negative consequences. This is not only true for antibiotics but many other medications and even some creams. Some if not most of the creams have the habit of healing but at the same time deteriorating tissue.

Honey can not only heal wounds but also improve overall health.
If you ever watch TV programs like ASPCA Animal Cops you might have seen the vet applying honey on animals infected wounds. Well this treatment can also be very beneficiary for human wounds.

How to heal open wounds faster | Applying honey to wounds speeds up the healing and reduces chance on infection.
A Nigerian study among 59 patients showed that apart from one patient honey turned out to be a very effective way of sterilizing infected wounds and keeping them clean. This logically results in faster healing of wounds and less scar tissue. "Honey provides a moist healing environment yet prevents bacterial growth even when wounds are heavily infected," according to Dr. Peter Molan of the University of Waikato's Honey Research Unit in New Zealand.

Note: It is important to follow the doctor's / surgeon's advice and not try any home remedies without consulting a professional first.

More evidence for honey promoting wound healing.

How to apply honey on a wound

Which honey is best for wound treatment

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Which honey for treating wounds

The ancient Egyptians already used honey as an efficient wound treatment. Nowadays the use of honey for treating wounds gains popularity. The Waikato Honey Research Unit in New Zealand has done much research on this subject.

Different types of honey exhibit different amounts of antibacterial activity. The Waikato Honey Research Unit have studied honey from different types of sources. A few of them having particularly high antibacterial activity. Manuka honey gathered from the Manuka tree is such a honey with exceptionally high antibacterial activity.

From the Waikato Honey Research Unit website: To be sure of getting the true “Active Manuka Honey” consumers should look for a statement that the antibacterial activity claimed is in fact due to the Unique Manuka Factor, or that it is stated that it is “non-peroxide activity”.
Certified UMF® Manuka Honey is the recommended by The Waikato Unit for wound care. Many products claim to be the real deal but are not. One must pay attention to make sure that the product is certified Manuka honey.

Why Manuka honey is particularly good for wound care.


More info about the medical benefits of honey

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How to apply honey on a wound

Important:The information in this post does not constitute medical advice. Wounds that are not healing should be seen by a professional medical practitioner.

For centuries now honey has been used as an effective remedy for wounds, burns and ulcers. In recent years there has been renewed interest in the medicinal properties of honey. Much of this research is being carried out by a team of people working at the Waikato Honey Research Unit, New Zealand.

Honey dressings are used as a topical antibacterial agent to treat wound infections. In cases where antibiotics and antiseptics are ineffective wounds respond well to honey. Honey benefits the healing process, resulting in minimal scarring.

• 1. Make sure the wound is clean
• 2. The easiest option is to apply the honey on a sterile dressing. Slightly warming the honey makes it more fluid.
• 3. Cover with a clean gauze or bandage
• 4. The honey dressing should be changed at least once a day depending on the seriousness of the infection.

There are pads pre-impregnated with honey on the market for a more convenient alternative. if pre-impregnated dressings are not available, spreading the honey on the dressing is preferred. Instead of on the wound.

Which honey should I use?

"Honey is one of the oldest foods in existence and was an ancient remedy for wound healing. It was found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun and was still edible as it never spoils."

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