Scar Treatment

Managing Your C-Section Scar

After an operation, your body does everything it can to repair the damaged skin as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, damaged skin loses much more moisture than healthy skin. Your body reacts to this moisture loss with a ‘panic’ reaction. It creates more connective tissue to strengthen the damaged skin. In other words, it creates a scar. In many cases, the C-section scar may be visible, red and thickened (i.e. hypertrophic or keloid).

Common Scar Complaints After C-Section

• Redness of the scar
• Itchy or painful scar
• Raised (abnormal) scar formation
  
  

Caesarean sections can be done using two different types of incisions: horizontal and vertical. The majority of c-sections are performed using a horizontal incision. In rare and urgent cases, a vertical incision may be used as it is a quicker but less cosmetically favourable option. A vertical skin incision is often accompanied by a vertical uterine incision.

C-Section Scar Healing

After C-Section surgery, the body wants to close the skin as soon as possible. If this happens quickly, you’ll have few complaints and the scar will be hardly noticeable. Infections or other causes may delay wound closure. The risk of thickening of the scar is then greater. A scar can cause annoying complaints such as dryness, pulling, itching, redness and pain. Fortunately, a scar can be treated as long as it is active.

Taking care of your C-section scar properly can help prevent discomfort and reduce the risk of abnormal scarring. Our week-by-week recovery insights provide useful tips on healing, managing symptoms, and supporting your scar's recovery. Read about C-section recovery week by week.

Abnormal scars (hypertrophic or keloid) develop more often than you think. Complaints may worsen if you do nothing. So keep a close eye on your scar and start scar treatment in time.