Following a C-section, most incisions are closed with suture beneath the skin, that takes four to six weeks to dissolve. To protect and take tension off the incision, your surgeon will apply Steri-Strips or skin glue to your incision that can be removed/peeled off 1-2 weeks post operative.
Postpartum Recovery and Care Timeline:
Incision Check: An incision check appointment typically occurs 1-2 weeks postpartum, to ensure proper healing.
Hydrocolloid Strips: After being cleared by your healthcare team, you can begin applying hydrocolloid strips, to your incision. You can apply each strip for up to 12 hours a day and are provided with 12 strips, for 12 days of consecutive use.
Soothing Body & Scar Oil: Our Soothing Body & Scar Oil can be applied to the skin on your abdomen and gently applied onto the incision itself, along with use of the hydrocolloid strips in the first 4 weeks of recovery, to keep the incision clean and moist.
Massage (4 Weeks): Four weeks post c-section delivery, you may begin gentle massage above and below the incision, but avoid direct massage of the scar itself. Use gentle pressure with your fingers to move the skin over the underlying tissue. Massage movements can include up-and-down, side-to-side, and circular motions. If an area is uncomfortable or too sensitive, stop and try again on another day.
Silicone Strips (6 Weeks): Once you're six weeks post delivery by c-section, you can start using silicone strips on your scar. These can be applied to your scar for up to 12 hours a day, and each strip can be reused up to 4 times each. When a silicone scar strip is not applied to the scar, the incision can be left to open air.
Advanced Scar Massage (6 Weeks): Also 6 weeks postpartum after your c-sectkon, you can begin purposeful massage directly on the your scar using the same techniques used previously (up-and-down, side-to-side, and circular motions). Start superficially before working deeper across the incision.
Using a combination of Luna Azzurra's Hydrocolloid Strips, Silicone Strips, and Soothing Body & Scar Oil can improve the healing of your incision and lead to best aesthetic results for your scar.