The steps you take in the first few weeks after getting stitches have the biggest impact on your final scar. Scars go through a remodeling process that lasts up to a full year, so you have a long window to influence the outcome. The basics: keep the wound moist, protect it from the sun, and start scar massage once the skin has fully closed.
Keep the Wound Moist While Stitches Are In
The single most important thing you can do during the first stage is prevent the wound from drying out and forming a thick scab. A moist wound environment allows skin cells to migrate across the surface more efficiently, which leads to a thinner, flatter scar. Apply a thin layer of plain petroleum jelly (like Vaseline or Aquaphor) over the stitches and cover with a nonstick gauze pad or adhesive bandage. Clean the area daily with a gentle solution recommended by your provider, reapply the ointment, and change the dressing.
Skip the vitamin E oil. A double-blinded study of patients who had skin cancer removal surgery found that topical vitamin E provided no cosmetic benefit to scars compared to plain moisturizer. In 90% of cases, vitamin E either had no effect or actually worsened the scar’s appearance, and a third of patients developed contact dermatitis from it. Plain petroleum jelly is cheaper, safer, and more effective.
Get Stitches Removed on Time
Leaving stitches in too long creates “track marks,” those small perpendicular scars on either side of the main line. These are caused by the suture material pressing into the skin long enough to damage tissue. Stitches left in place for more than seven days significantly increase the risk of permanent track marks.
The ideal removal time depends on location. Facial stitches typically come out at 5 to 7 days because the face has excellent blood supply and heals quickly. Scalp sutures usually stay in for 7 to 10 days. On the chest or back, removal between 7 and 14 days is standard, though these areas are particularly prone to stitch marks even within that window. Your surgeon will give you a specific timeline. Don’t skip that follow-up appointment, and don’t leave stitches in longer than recommended just because the wound “looks fine.”
Start Silicone Gel After the Wound Closes
Once stitches are out and the skin edges are fully sealed with no gaps or drainage, silicone-based products become your best tool. Silicone gel sheets or topical silicone gel are the most studied scar treatments available. They work by increasing hydration in the top layer of skin, which signals the cells underneath to slow down collagen production. Overproduction of collagen is what makes scars raised, thick, and stiff.
The results are substantial. Silicone gel has been reported to reduce scar texture by 86%, improve color by 84%, and decrease scar height by 68%. It also reduces the itching and discomfort that come with healing scars. You can find silicone sheets (like ScarAway or Mepiform) or silicone gel tubes at most pharmacies. Apply daily for several months for the best results.
Protect the Scar From Sunlight
New scars are extremely vulnerable to UV radiation. The fresh skin lacks the normal pigment distribution of mature tissue, so sun exposure can cause permanent darkening (hyperpigmentation) or reddening that won’t fade. This is true for all skin tones, though the type of discoloration varies.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on the scar every time it will be exposed. If you have lighter skin, SPF 50 or higher offers better protection. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating. Physical barriers like clothing or adhesive bandages also work well. Keep this up for at least a full year while the scar matures. Many people stop sun protection after a few weeks, then wonder why their scar turned dark during a summer vacation months later.
Massage the Scar Daily
Once the wound is fully healed, with closed edges and no scabbing or drainage, begin massaging the scar. Scar massage breaks up the dense collagen fibers that form during healing, making the tissue softer, flatter, and more flexible. It also helps the scar blend with surrounding skin over time.
Use firm, circular pressure directly on the scar for about 5 minutes, two to three times a day. You can use a plain moisturizer, petroleum jelly, or silicone gel as lubrication. Continue this routine for 6 months to a year after surgery. It takes consistency to see results, but the cumulative effect of daily massage over months is significant, especially for scars that feel tight or raised.
Eat Enough Protein and Calories
Wound healing is an energy-intensive process. Your body needs roughly 30 to 35 calories per kilogram of body weight per day during active healing, and protein needs can increase dramatically because your body is building new tissue. This doesn’t mean you need supplements or a special diet in most cases. It means eating enough overall, and making sure you’re getting adequate protein from foods like eggs, meat, fish, beans, or dairy. Skipping meals or restricting calories during the healing period can visibly slow recovery and worsen scarring.
Staying well-hydrated matters too. The general recommendation during wound healing is about 1 milliliter of fluid per calorie consumed per day, which works out to roughly 8 to 10 cups for most adults.
Understand the Scar’s Timeline
A scar’s final appearance takes time to reveal itself. Wound healing moves through four overlapping phases: clotting (first few hours), inflammation (days 1 to 3), new tissue growth (days 4 to 21), and remodeling (day 21 through roughly one year). During the remodeling phase, the body gradually replaces the initial quick-fix collagen with stronger, more organized collagen fibers. This is why scars often look their worst at the 1- to 3-month mark, then slowly fade and flatten over the following months.
Even after a full year, healed skin only recovers about 80% of its original strength, and some structures like hair follicles and sweat glands won’t regenerate. But the cosmetic appearance continues to improve throughout that remodeling window, especially if you’re using silicone, sun protection, and massage consistently.
When Professional Treatment Helps
If your scar becomes noticeably raised, thick, red, or ropy despite home care, professional treatments can make a meaningful difference. Laser therapy is one of the most effective options. A combination approach using pulsed-dye laser (which targets redness) followed by fractional laser (which resurfaces texture) has shown strong results for surgical scars, with treatment starting as early as 2 to 4 weeks after surgery for facial scars. Your dermatologist or surgeon can assess whether your scar would benefit from laser sessions, steroid injections, or other interventions.
Signs Your Wound Needs Attention
An infected wound heals poorly and scars worse. Watch for pus or unusual drainage, a bad smell, increasing redness or warmth around the stitches, fever or chills, or pain that’s getting worse instead of better. If any of these develop, contact your surgeon’s office promptly. Catching an infection early keeps it from turning a clean surgical scar into something much harder to manage.