Caring For Your Scar
An Important Step in Recovery
By Berfin Mahmut, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, OnCS
Scar tissue is a normal and expected part of the body’s healing process after surgery or injury. When the skin heals from a cut, burn, sore, or surgical incision, the body forms fibrous tissue to repair and protect the area. This tissue becomes what we know as a scar.
While scars are a natural part of healing, excessive or untreated scar tissue can sometimes lead to discomfort, including pain, tenderness, sensitivity, or itching around the scar. Because scar tissue lacks the elasticity of healthy skin, it may also cause tightness, restricted movement, or contractures, especially if the scar is large or located near a joint. Scars can also have visual and emotional impacts. For these reasons, scar management is an important, but often overlooked, part of recovery for many cancer survivors.
Why scar management matters
The goal of physical scar management is to support healthy healing and help prevent abnormal or restrictive scar formation. One of the most effective and accessible ways to begin caring for a scar is scar tissue massage, which can help soften the scar, improve scar mobility, and decrease sensitivity over time.
Before starting scar massage:
- Make sure the wound is fully closed and healed
- The skin does not appear fragile or open
- There are no signs infections or irritations
- Always check with your physician or surgical team to ensure it is safe to begin
How to perform scar massage
When massaging a scar, it is important to use a high-quality moisturizer and apply an adequate amount to reduce friction and prevent skin irritation. Scar massage may be performed using either the index finger alone or the index and middle fingers together. Moderate pressure should be applied to effectively mobilize and soften the scar tissue, while remaining within a tolerable range. Pressure that is too light may be ineffective, whereas excessive pressure that causes significant pain should be avoided. Mild discomfort can be expected, and pressure should be adjusted based on individual tolerance.
There are three primary scar massage techniques that may be utilized.
- Horizontal scar massage involves massaging the scar by moving the fingers side to side across the scar.
- Vertical scar massage is performed by moving the fingers up and down vertically along the length of the scar.
- Circular scar massage consists of applying small, circular motions over and around the scar tissue.
One or a combination of these techniques may be used depending on the scar’s location and individual comfort. Scar massage may be performed for a few minutes at a time and repeated a few times throughout the day.
Additional scar care options
In addition to scar massage, silicone-based scar tape or topical silicone ointments may be used to support scar healing and improve scar pliability and comfort. Your surgeon or healthcare team can recommend specific products based on individual needs.
If conservative interventions such as scar massage and silicone treatments do not provide sufficient improvement, additional therapeutic options may be considered. These can include acupuncture, laser therapy, or injection-based treatments aimed at improving scar characteristics. Patients are encouraged to discuss these options with their healthcare team to determine the most appropriate course of care.
Berfin Mahmut is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a certified lymphedema therapist, and a cancer exercise specialist who specializes in cancer rehabilitation at Mount Sinai in New York, NY.
