Burns, dog bites, falls, and many other miserable incidents can leave behind a scar as a memory of the event. For simple injuries like a minor burn or skinned knee, you can help reduce the after effects by applying a moisturizing ointment like Aquaphor or Silvadene. After the skin is healed, apply a scar-diminishing balm, like Mederma, daily and protect it from sun exposure. For more severe cases, any ragged cut that would benefit from stitches, ask for the plastic surgeon on call. Be sure to make a follow up appointment with the surgeon to have the stitches removed. Waiting too long can result in one of those “railroad track” type of scars.
