Ask a doctor on the topic of Plastic surgery

Scar healing

July 2, 2012 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ive Dr. Schaaf

Due to a collapse, I fell headfirst to the ground on the 27th of June, shortly before midnight, and received a laceration below my chin. The wound is approximately 2.5 cm long. It was treated with steri strips at the hospital. My personal doctor then removed the strips on the 30th of June (they were already loose due to my beard), cleaned the wound with a disinfectant pad, and applied fresh strips. The same procedure was repeated today on the 2nd of July. He believes that the scar will become smaller and more even this way, while another doctor suggests letting the wound rest, at most dabbing it but not rubbing it.

The question now is, what is better for wound healing in terms of reducing scarring: continuing to clean and reapply the strips twice a day, or simply letting it rest?

Dr. med. Ive Dr. Schaaf

Good evening,

It is crucial that the edges of the wound do not stand under tension. This can be achieved with Steri-strips or even a regular bandage, the key is the adhesive technique. You must start on one side, then press the wound edges together, and then stick on the other side.
In the face, everything heals very quickly, so after 5 days it is probably already "all clear", but if you want to be on the safe side, a staple bandage may be a good idea. How often it is renewed is secondary. The important thing is that the effect described above is achieved.

Everything understood? Everything answered? If not, please ask.

All the best,
Dr. Schaaf