If you are considering getting plastic surgery, you may be concerned about the scars. Often, scars remain in place for the rest of your life. The good news is that there are ways that you can prevent or at least minimize your risk of having scars.
 

Before Your Surgery

Whenever your skin is damaged, it may become scarred. For example, children who skin their knees may have scars for the rest of their lives. This is true even for cosmetic surgery. Cutting through the layers of the skin may leave scars, no matter where the surgery is.
 

If your surgery is performed by a surgeon with lesser skills, you may have more scars. However, the surgeon’s skill is not the only reason you might have scars. The surgeon cannot control all of your risk factors. The right care for your incision can help reduce your risk.
 

After Surgery

You will want to focus on the factors that you can control after the surgery. It is always important to follow your surgeon’s instructions after a procedure. Smoking can slow your healing process, increasing your risk for scars. It is important to stop smoking at least two weeks before the surgery and during healing.
 

Alcohol can dehydrate your skin, which can decrease your health. You will want to avoid both caffeine and alcohol while you are healing. Instead, focus on eating healthy, nutritious foods. Eat more protein while you are healing. This can help your skin heal better. Meat, legumes, dairy, and soy products all contain lean protein. Choose meats such as chicken and fish.
 

Hydration is always important, but it becomes even more so when you are recovering from surgery. If you are dehydrated, you may have heart issues or electrolyte imbalances in severe cases. In cases that are not as severe, you may simply feel thirsty and have diminished health. Your urine should be either light in color or completely clear. If not, you should drink some more water.
 

If you are overweight, then you may be more likely to develop scars. The excess fat under your skin can prevent your surgeon from properly closing your incision all the way.
 

Proper Incision Care

No matter what your weight is, you will need to follow your surgeon’s instructions for caring for your incision. This will help you avoid both infections and scarring. You will want to avoid using any ointments that might irritate the skin in the area.
 

Even with the right care, there is a possibility that your incision will become infected. You will want to be able to identify the signs of infection as early as possible. That way, you can stop it before it gets any worse.
 

You should also avoid placing stress on the incision. This means refraining from excessive movement or strain. Your surgeon will help you decide when to resume physical activity.
 

For more information on preventing scarring after cosmetic surgery, please give Alan Matarasso, MD, in New York, NY, a call. Our team will be happy to help you.