I CARE FOR MY SCARS
After your treatment you may be left with scars on your face or body which can be a daily uninvited reminder of your battle with cancer. At La Roche-Posay we understand that scars can have real repercussions on your quality of life from an aesthetic, psychological, social, and professional standing.
EXPERT POINT OF VIEW
"It is very important to take care of your scar through self-massage and physiotherapy in order to avoid a bad evolution and to improve movement, comfort and aesthetics."
Jean-Marc Oviève
Physiotherapist, President of the College of Masso-Physiotherapy
Scarring can also be extremely uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and can make the surrounding skintight or itchy. But there are things you can do proactively to make living with them more bearable. When you feel you are ready, take some time to start a gentle massage routine, as advised by your healthcare professional, to improve the flexibility and comfort of your skin. Read on for the benefits of massage, and practical guides to help you get started.
Blending your scars into your skin can do a huge amount to improve your self-confidence after cancer. Even if you are not a regular make-up wearer, there are products that are easy to apply, and techniques that are simple to learn that will make a huge difference to masking your scars. Below are some professional tips to help you conceal your scars.
DID YOU KNOW?
YOUR SCAR MIGHT EVOLVE OVER 12 TO 18 MONTHS.
Source: www.college-mk.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/recommandations-CMK-automassage-2018-07.pdf
I BENEFIT FROM MASSAGE
Massage can increase the flexibility and elasticity of your scar, improve skin hydration, skin quality, and reduce pain and itching.
In addition to regularly cleaning the scar area with a washing gel or a soap-free cleanser, surgeons and physiotherapists recommend massaging the lesion twice a day as soon as it is dry, clean and well closed, and stitches or staples have been removed. Please note that it is very important to start the massage once the scar is closed.
We recommend moisturising the area with a repairing balm before performing the massage technique your doctor or physiotherapist has advised.
CAUTION
There are many different types of scars varying in severity, so it is essential to seek the advice of a healthcare professional before performing any massage, so as not to aggravate the condition of the existing scar.
Don’t hesitate to discuss it with your doctor, your referring nurse, a physiotherapist or a dermatologist, who can show you the correct self-massage techniques.
“AFTER MY MASTECTOMY, MY PHYSIOTHERAPIST SHOWED ME HOW TO MASSAGE MY SCAR AT HOME WITH A REPAIR CREAM. TO DO THE MOVEMENTS WELL, I FILMED IT AND REPLAYED THE VIDEO SEVERAL TIMES.’’
Celine, 50 years old.
PHOTO-PROTECTION
Protection from the sun is essential to the scarring process. Your scar needs to be protected for at least two years with SPF 50+ products to avoid your skin becoming darker in patches around the scar.
Ideally, your scar should flatten out, whitening until maturity and then progressively regaining its pigmentation over time.
People with brown or black skin should be even more careful to use photo-protection as their scarred skin will become very dark and spotted.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
Since 1975 it has been La Roche-Posay’s mission to support those who suffer from sensitive or weakened skin to improve their daily comfort and quality of life.
