My face scar journey: 1-year-old face scar!

Exactly on this day a year ago I got robbed and unfortunately endured skin laceration on half of my face. I even got glasses went into my skin (from my spectacles). Thankfully although it was first day of Raya there was this plastic surgeon on-call and I’m telling you, it was long 3 hours of small sutures (to make the scar less obvious). They are still visible now. But there are ways on how to make it less visible and heal nicely.

1. Contrary to eating ‘kicap’ will make them dark (food doesn’t darkens your skin!). Do not expose them under the sunlight because this actually darkens them. Apply sunscreen if you’re going out. My mum made me cover my face for about a month everytime I’m going out so I stayed home most of the time.

2. Use scar treatment gel. I’m using Dermatix Advance because it’s not oily, it dries up pretty fast so you can layer on your make up afterwards. But any other brands will work I suppose.

3. I use coconut oil to massage everyday. This helps break up excess collagen from causing scar tissue build up and make it less noticeable. You will press the skin and massage with your fingers gently but still firm enough. Only massage after you remove the sutures!

4. Drink lots of water and eat your vitamin C! (Citrus fruit like orange and lemon, guava, papaya, broccoli, mango) I like taking hot honey lemon before I sleep. Your skin needs to stay hydrated and vitamin C will helps in skin repair.

5. There are optional treatments like skin grafting, laser treatment and steroid injections. But I didn’t need them because my scar was healing quite fast and well. Next appointment on coming August 1st.

Here's before and after pictures. Mind you the first picture may appear gruesome to you. It was a quite bad deep wound.

Picture 1: Fresh cut after the unfortunate incident

Picture 2: Few days after suturing (less than a week)

Picture 3: After suture removal (exactly 1 week after the incident)

Picture 4: About 1 month after. 

The wounds are still healing. They still appear red and bumpy. 

Picture 5: Approximately 1 month - with makeup.

The scars are still quite visible.

Picture 6: 1 year after without anything on my face. 

Some parts we're almost invisible. They starts to flattens but there are few red area as well which shows that they are still healing. It was a very deep cut but grateful that it was not severe enough ti cause any nerve damage. 

Picture 7: Here is an unfiltered picture of me with makeup on.

I know it doesn't look like heavy makeup but with the right products and technique you can achieve this natural look. Here the scars are way less visible. I still regularly put on my scar treatment gel, SPF 50 when I go out and makeup.

Scars are permanent. The only way is to properly take care of them to make them less visible.

Any other tips I think it’s better to ask your plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Best is to keep a positive mind while you are through it. Focus on taking care of them. You’ll be fine.