Your face is your identity, as well as your most unique characteristic and the way people recognize you. If you have cuts, scrapes or minor surgery on your face, you want the wound to heal quickly and not to leave scars, which could permanently change the appearance of your face. The likelihood of developing long-term scars is half determined by genetic predisposition, but proper wound care is the best way to reduce the chances of permanent scarring.
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Part 1 of 4: Treating Wounds Immediately
Step 1. Stop the bleeding
If the wound is bleeding, the first step is to stop the bleeding. Perform this step by applying pressure to the injured area, using a clean cloth or medical bandage. Do not remove the cloth until the bleeding has completely stopped.
- Wounds on the face often bleed more than other parts of the body, so they may look more severe than they really are.
- Crying makes the bleeding profuse, so try to stay calm and stop crying.
Step 2. Check for the injury
If the wound is very deep, especially if it has a stab wound, you may need to go to the hospital immediately. A large, open wound or a deep cut will likely require stitches and professional cleaning. More superficial wounds can be treated at home.
Step 3. Wash your hands
Before touching an open wound in any way, be sure to thoroughly clean your hands with soap and hot water. Wash your hands, between your fingers and wrists thoroughly, rinse with hot water then dry with a clean towel.
Washing hands is the most important way to avoid the possibility of infection on the face
Step 4. Wash the wound thoroughly
Clean the wound very gently with soap and water. Don't forget to rinse off all the soap from the wound with water. Make sure you remove any visible dust or dirt from the injured area.
- Use cold or slightly warm water. Water that is too hot can cause the wound to start bleeding again.
- Be patient and do this step slowly. If there is any residue on the wound, try using a soft cloth to help clean it.
- If necessary, sterilize the clamp with alcohol and use it to help remove debris from the wound.
- Avoid using hydrogen peroxide or iodine, which can damage or irritate wound tissue.
Step 5. Apply the medicine to the wound
Antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin or Polisprorin are the best choices. But in the absence of both, a simple petroleum jelly like Vaseline can help. Expensive creams or medications that claim to reduce scars are usually not as effective as advertised.
Step 6. Bandage the wound
Place a sterile bandage over the injured area. This bandage can be a little difficult to apply to your face, but it's important to keep the wound area free of possible infection.
- Place a bandage over the wound and apply a bandage over and under it to keep the bandage in place.
- If the wound is still bleeding, try to tighten the bandage over the wound area. If it doesn't bleed, a looser bandage will suffice.
Step 7. Use butterfly tape for wide cuts
Wide open wounds should be clamped together to aid healing and reduce scarring. Butterfly plaster can help pull the skin together and allow it to heal. If this doesn't work, you may need stitches and need to go to the hospital.
Step 8. Reduce the swelling that occurs
If the affected area is swollen (for example, if the wound was the result of a strong impact), it is important that you relieve the swelling in the area. This can be done by placing an ice cube on the injured area for 20 minutes.
Part 2 of 4: Seeking Professional Treatment
Step 1. Go to the hospital if you need stitches
If the wound is wide enough that your skin won't close on its own, it may need stitches. Closing the wound tightly as soon as the injury occurs is an important step in reducing scar formation and facilitating the healing process.
If your wound is large and clearly visible on your face, you may need to visit a plastic surgeon to have it repaired. The plastic surgeon can stitch the wound carefully so that the results look better
Step 2. Check for broken or cracked bones
If you receive a hard blow to the face, make sure you don't break or fracture the bone under the skin. This is especially important when an injury is caused by a car accident or other hard impact.
Step 3. Watch for signs of infection
If the wound starts to swell, fills with pus, feels hot to the touch, gets worse or if you have a fever, seek medical attention immediately. Infected wounds will take longer to heal and serious infections can occur.
Step 4. Consult a plastic surgeon for extreme cases
For extreme scars, you may need to consult a plastic surgeon about the injured area. In some cases, laser or surgical treatment may be performed to reduce the effects of severe scar formation.
It's important to seek medical attention if a faded scar turns red or tightness in the injured area prevents normal movement of the face
Step 5. Go to the doctor for a tetanus shot
If you haven't had a tetanus shot recently, you may have to; depending on the depth of the wound, the object causing the wound or your environmental conditions.
Part 3 of 4: Continuing Your Treatment
Step 1. Lift your head
Try to keep your head above the rest of your body at all times. This can be done by using an extra pillow at night to support your upper half. Keeping your head up will reduce swelling and pain in the injured area.
Step 2. Keep the injured area still
Excessive shaking or movement will irritate the wound and may slow healing which can increase scar formation. Try to maintain a neutral facial expression and avoid excessive movement.
Step 3. Keep the wound moist
Continuing to apply ointment or petroleum jelly to the wound will help the healing process and keep it from itching. This step is important to prevent you from scratching an itchy wound because scraping a dry wound will exacerbate scar formation.
Step 4. Change the bandage daily
If you use a bandage to cover the wound, remember to change it once a day or whenever the bandage gets dirty or wet. Be sure to use a clean, sterile bandage.
Step 5. Aerate the wound
Once the wound is no longer "gaping", it is better to remove the bandage. Exposure to air will help speed up the healing process.
Step 6. Drink plenty of water
Staying hydrated will help your body work properly and help keep your wound moisturised and heal from within. Avoid drinking alcohol, especially when the wound is just forming, as it can enlarge the wound and make bleeding and swelling worse.
Step 7. Eat a healthy diet
Certain foods are thought to help the body's healing process. Eating enough healing foods while avoiding foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats can help your body heal faster. Don't forget to eat a lot of the following food ingredients:
- Protein (lean meat, milk, eggs, yogurt)
- Healthy fats (whole milk, yogurt, cheese, olive oil, coconut oil)
- Vitamin A (red fruits, eggs, dark green vegetables, fish)
- Healthy carbs (rice, whole grain pasta, whole wheat bread)
- Vitamin C (leaf vegetables, citrus fruits)
- Zinc (meat protein, zinc-fortified cereals)
Part 4 of 4: Reducing Scars
Step 1. Always be on hand to clean and cover the wound
The best way to avoid wound formation is to prevent infection. Proper care in the first two weeks after the wound has formed is the best treatment to reduce wound formation.
Step 2. Avoid scraping dry wounds
Peeling off the scabs as the sores begin to heal can be very tempting. Dry sores are often itchy and unsightly. It's still much better to cover it with a medicated ointment and keep it moist. Scraping the scar will make the scar worse.
Step 3. Avoid the sun
Direct sunlight on sensitive areas of wounds that are still healing can darken the area and make scars worse. If the wound is completely covered, you can apply sunscreen to the area. Before the wound is completely closed, you should avoid the sun in other ways such as wearing a hat, covering the injured area or staying indoors.
Step 4. Try silicone gel sheets
Silicone gel sheets are thin, transparent sheets that you apply directly to the wound. These sheets will help keep the wound moist and clean and promote a fast and healthy healing process. You can buy it at most medical supply stores.
