Scar massage

This leaflet will provide you information about scars and how to perform scar massage

What is a scar?

A scar is part of the normal wound healing process. Scar tissue fills up injured areas to close the wound. Scar tissue can continue to develop over many weeks and months and well after the initial wound is healed.

What are the reasons of scars problems?

Scars can be a problem for different reasons such as:

• Appearance (darker, lighter, bigger then original injury)
• Itchy
• Stopping the body from moving properly (thickened, raised or stuck to tissue underneath skin)

What is the process of maturation of a scar?

• Immature scar:
  After wound healing a scar is usually red or purple (depending on skin colour) in appearance
• Maturation process:
  The appearance of the scar will change during the process of “maturation” and can start to thicken, raise up, or grow outside the area of the original scar.  Also, the scar can change color and feeling.
• Mature scar:
  It can take up to 2 years for a scar to mature and become closer to normal skin

How can occupational therapy help with scar care?

Every scar is different and needs to be assessed by a therapist. Your therapist will then provide you with methods that will help. This may include:

• Massage
• Contact media such as silicone gel, silicone sheeting, and silicone molds
• Compression – garments or bandaging
• Stretching and positioning –using exercises, splints or taping

It is important that you let your therapist know if you have any problems or if you scar changes

Scar Massage:

Why do it?

• Massage is done to lessen scar tissue build-up and help with movement
• Massage will help soften a new, red scar. It will not help soften an old scar
• Do the massage as directed by your therapist

How to do it?

• Use non perfumed moisturizing lotion (e.g. Nivea)
• Use the pads or soft tips of your fingers or thumb to massage the scar and tissue around the scar
• Press firmly but do you push until you have too much pain. Use:
  • Light pressure
  • Medium pressure
  • Deep pressure

Circles:
Use two fingers of thumb to make small circles over the length of the scar and to the skin around the scar (press for 2-3 seconds at a time)

Criss-cross:
Use two fingers from one hand, pull then push your fingers across the length of the scar

Rolling:
Pinch a small amount of the scar tissue between your thumb and first two fingers. To roll the scar, walk your first two fingers forward and then slide your thumb forward to keep the “hill” in the scar. Do this along the length of the scar.

When to seek medical advice?

Stop the massage and check with your doctor/therapist if you notice:

• Any redness that does not go away after massage (longer than half hour post massage)
• Bleeding
• Moisture or ooze from the scar
• The scar feels warmer then the tissue around it (for longer than half hour after massage)
• More pain at the scar

Please contact your therapist if you have any questions

Therapist:_________________________  Phone number: _____________________