This article was co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD . Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology. This article has been viewed 1,024,081 times.

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To prevent scarring, keep the wound moist by applying petroleum jelly to it and covering it with a bandage.This prevents a scab from forming, which is when scarring begins to develop. While your wound is healing, massage the area in 15 to 30 second intervals throughout the day which can help prevent scar tissue by breaking down the formation of collagen. At the same time, try to minimize movement that could pull the skin around the wound, since this may cause the scar to widen. Another way to prevent scarring is to apply gentle and consistent pressure to the wound. Try to use products like hydrogel and silicone sheets, since they were designed to add constant pressure to wounds. For more advice from our Medical co-author, including how to use honey to speed up healing, keep reading!