Your face is your identity. It's your most unique feature, and it allows people to recognize you right away. If you have a cut, scrape, or minor surgery mark on your face, you probably want it to heal quickly and not scrape it, as this would permanently change its appearance. The chances of having long-term scarring are determined in part by genetic predisposition, but proper wound care is the best way to decrease the chance of permanent marks.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Taking Care of a Wound in the Immediate
Step 1. Stop any bleeding
If the cut is bleeding relentlessly, the first step is to stop the bleeding. Do this with good pressure on the area, use a clean cloth or gauze. Do not remove it until the bleeding has completely stopped.
- Facial wounds often bleed more than other parts of the body, so they can look more severe than they are.
- Crying makes bleeding worse, so try to stay calm and avoid it.
Step 2. Examine the wound
If the cut is very deep (for example, it's a puncture wound), you should go to the hospital right away. Rather deep wounds typically require stitches and professional cleaning. The more superficial ones can be treated at home.
Step 3. Wash your hands
Before touching the open wound in any way, be sure to thoroughly sanitize your hands with soap and warm water. Wash them both carefully, also focusing on your fingers and wrists; rinse with warm water and dry with a clean towel.
Washing your hands is a very important step to avoid the likelihood of the wound becoming infected
Step 4. Wash the wound completely
Clean it very gently with soap and water. Make sure you rinse the cleaner completely with water. Also, remove any visible dirt or earth particles from the affected area.
- Use cool or slightly warm water. Water that is too hot could cause the wound to bleed again.
- Be patient and take this step slowly. If there are traces of dirt in the wound, try using a soft cloth to make it easier to remove.
- If necessary, sterilize tweezers with isopropyl alcohol and use it to help remove dirt residue from the wound.
- Avoid using hydrogen peroxide or iodine tincture, which can irritate or damage skin tissue.
Step 5. Treat the wound with medication
An antibiotic ointment, such as bacitracin, polymycin B, and neomycin, is the best solution, but if you don't have it on hand, just some petroleum jelly is enough to do it. Expensive creams or treatments that promise to reduce the appearance of scars are generally not as helpful as they claim to be.
Step 6. Cover the wound with gauze
Place sterile gauze over the affected area. It may get in the way of your face, but it's important to make sure the area isn't prone to potential infections.
- Lay some gauze over the cut and use medical tape above and below the fabric to secure it to the area.
- If the wound continues to bleed, try to secure the gauze tightly over the area. If not, a softer cover is fine.
Step 7. Use a butterfly patch for larger wounds
A large, open cut should be closed by joining the flaps to promote healing and prevent ugly scarring. This patch can help bring the edges together and allow the skin to recover to its initial state. If it doesn't work, you probably need stitches, and you should go to the hospital.
Step 8. Reduce any swelling
If the affected area is swollen (for example, the cut was caused by a strong blow), it is important to take care of this as well. You can do this by applying ice to the area for 20 minutes at a time.
Part 2 of 4: Undergo Professional Treatment
Step 1. If you need stitches, go to the hospital
If the wound is large enough to prevent the skin from closing on its own, it must be stitched up. Tightly closing the cut immediately after the accident is essential to reduce scar formation and facilitate healing.
Step 2. Look for broken or fractured bones
If you've received a hard blow to the face, make sure you don't have any breaks or fractures under the skin. This is especially important if the cut was due to a car accident or a violent blow.
Step 3. Check for signs of infection
If the wound starts to swell, fills with pus, feels warm (or becomes more painful) to the touch, or you have a fever, see a doctor right away for treatment. An infected wound takes longer to heal, and the situation can worsen.
Step 4. If this is an extreme case, see a plastic surgeon
If the wound has scarred you, you should consult an expert to remedy the problem. In some cases, laser treatment or surgery may be done to reduce the texture of an ugly scar.
It is especially important to seek help when a scar that had faded turns red or the affected area is so tight that normal facial movements are reduced
Step 5. Go to the doctor for a tetanus shot
If you have not had this vaccination recently, it is necessary to do so, but this depends on the depth of the wound, the object that caused it, or the environmental circumstances.
Part 3 of 4: Continue Treatment
Step 1. Raise your head
Try to always keep your head raised above the rest of your body. This could involve using multiple pillows at night to support the upper body. Keeping the head elevated reduces swelling and pain in the area.
Step 2. Keep the affected area still
Excessive shaking or movement will make the wound worse and can delay healing, which will increase the formation of an ugly scar. Try to keep a neutral facial expression and avoid sudden movements.
Step 3. Keep the wound moisturized
Leaving ointment or petroleum jelly on the cut promotes healing and prevents it from causing you itching. It's important to refrain from scratching an itchy wound, as touching the scab causes more noticeable scars to appear.
Step 4. Change the gauze daily
If you're using gauze to cover the cut, be sure to replace it every day, or whenever it gets dirty or wet. Remember to use clean and sterile bandages.
Step 5. Expose the wound to air
Once it is no longer open, it is best to remove the gauze. Exposure to air promotes faster healing.
Step 6. Drink lots of water
Having good internal hydration helps the body function optimally, and allows the wound to be hydrated and heal from within. Avoid drinking alcohol, especially immediately after the accident that caused the injury, as it will cause it to expand and make bleeding and swelling worse.
Step 7. Eat a healthy diet
Certain foods are thought to help the body heal. Eating an adequate amount of healthy foods, and avoiding those rich in sugars and unhealthy fats, can allow the body to recover faster. Make sure you are getting enough of the following:
- Proteins (lean meats, dairy products, eggs, yogurt).
- Healthy fats (whole milk, yogurt, cheese, olive oil, coconut oil).
- Vitamin A (red fruit, eggs, dark leafy vegetables, fish).
- Healthy carbohydrates (rice, wholemeal pasta, wholemeal bread).
- Vitamin C (green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits).
- Zinc (meat proteins, fortified cereals).
Part 4 of 4: Reduce Scar Formation
Step 1. Be careful when cleaning and covering the wound with gauze, and do it regularly
The best way to avoid an ugly scar is to prevent infection. Adequate care in the first two weeks after the accident is the best approach to reduce this problem.
Step 2. Avoid teasing the scabs
It sure tempts you to touch them while healing. They often itch and are unsightly. However, it is much better to cover them with ointment and leave them hydrated. Scratching them will only make the scars much worse.
Step 3. Stay out of the sun
Direct sunlight coming into contact with sensitive skin and on the way to healing can darken the area and make scars worse. If the wound is completely closed, you can apply sunscreen to the area. Before it heals completely, you should avoid sunlight in other ways, such as wearing a hat, covering your skin, or staying indoors.
Step 4. Test the silicone gel sheets
These are thin and transparent pads that you can apply directly to the cut. They help the wound stay hydrated and clean, and encourage fast and healthy healing. You can easily find them in pharmacies or on the internet.
