My girlfriend had a birth control implant removed. The doctor didn’t do much to close the incision.
Trying to minimize scaring at this point. It’s been 5 days. The cut is ~10mm long and ~3-4mm at it’s widest. Is it worth trying this laceration kit to keep it closed longer? Should we move right to the silicon scare coverings?
no harm in trying. see if you can clean / scrub first to clear out any half-healed tissue and then apply the closure.
the scar stuff is for AFTER it’s healed and will actually keep a wound open longer if applied to open wounds. the instructions should indicate this? maybe there’s new scar stuff out that is meant to go on to open wounds?
Perfect, thanks for the advice.
The scare tape I bought said once the “wound is closed”. I don’t know what that means exactly. I scrubbed to the degree that my girlfriend felt comfortable with but the wound never bled. Is that closed? Is it closed once it’s completely scabbed over? Or once it’s like 90% healed?
In any case, we applied the laceration kit. Not perfect but if it can help the scare tissue structure form I think it’s going to look a lot better than if we left it alone.
I’ll update with more photos as appropriate.
i would try to go for more closederer but that’s me. this should be fine. i’d cover with a nice large padded nexacare or something to keep the grit out. give it 10 days. take a look.
10 days sounds good. I’ll update then for whomever cares.
Way ahead of you on the covering. You and @Satur9 taught me well 
Thanks again 
This is a great community. (My SO confirms)
Here’s a fun thing if you want to learn more. If you want to minimize scarring, keep the wound closed and keep it moist (but not wet or it will get macerated). Things like sutures and those wire closures are effective at closing wounds, but they do leave scars of their own and trigger a more severe immune response during the inflammation and proliferation stages. Usually I’m in the practice of making more pronounced scars, but when people want to minimize them I find that a non invasive breathable butterfly closure, a small dab of antiseptic ointment, and a standard bandaid is very adequate. If it’s large you can put an occlusive bandage over it while you shower, but I’ll often just remove the bandaid and shower and reapply it.
The silicone scar sheets and gel do actually work if it really matters to you, but you apply them during remodeling and would need to keep them on consistently for months
Certainly happy to learn more. Thanks! I do remember Amal being against antibontic ointments past a certain healing stage. Is there an alternative to keep the area moist that isn’t going to irritate the tissue?
I have so far had good luck with hydrocolloid bandages. I’m not qualified to really speak on how they work, but my understanding is they keep the wound moist in a safe pro-healing sort of way.
I’ve not had a chance to use them on an install post-stitches yet, but for scrapes and smaller tattoos they noticeably reduce itching and improve healing. They also; in a good way, reduce or prevent scabs which I think reduces scarring. Follow the instructions, you don’t change them like you would a bandage; unless they peel or you see an infection. They are intended to stay on for about a week or so.
Also I am currently trying bio-oil by day and silicone scar tape by night. It is slow, but noticeably reducing two of my scars. About a month into using them.
after the 4-6th day you no longer need to control moisture level, and applying antibiotic ointment once or maybe twice if you change the bandage in that time is more than enough moisture control. When it’s not a glow scar allowing it to dry out to a normal skin level during the proliferation phase is normal and healthy. You can just use water as well, but I would use sterile saline the first and second day. If you want to keep a wound moist for longer then you need an occlusive bandage like a tegaderm because they have small pores that don’t allow moisture in or out, just gas exchange.
Hydrocolloid bandages are comprised of a semipermeable membrane coated on one side with a polymer pad comprised of materials that promote healing and prevent infection. The polymers form a hydrogel from liquids like the wound exudate. The correct moisture level is maintained because the gel expands and opens up the pores on the membrane backing allowing more moisture out until it reaches a stable equilibrium. They’re a very advanced dressing that definitely promotes rapid healing and helps prevent scar formation to a degree. The only problems we’ve had with them is keeping the edges of the membrane adhered to the skin to keep the moisture in. It’s pretty common that one of the edges peels up and throws off the equilibrium. You can use adhesive strips to hold down the edges, but make sure the center of the dressing is exposed to the air or it won’t work. If it dries out the polymer pad has infiltrated the wound and can reopen it when you remove the bandage.
I was chatting with a doc about skin ulcers and other dermal wounds and they said the type of ointment matters. They suggested bacitracin vs something like neosporin because “antiseptic” ointments often contain multiple antibiotics that are overkill and actually attack tissues they are trying to “protect”. For example, bacitracin is just one component of neosporin, which also has neomycin and polymyxin B in it.
I don’t know if there is any credence to this or what, just sharing what I was told.
Based on what I’ve read and seen you’re probably right, but to what severity I’m unsure. I’m just generalized and practical about it cause if I get specific with my recommendations for aftercare products then some people will ignore them and some people will hyperfixate on them
