How to care for a child's post-surgery scars to minimize their visibility

For children undergoing procedures such as SEMLS, wound care and the management of subsequent scars are part of comprehensive postoperative care. At the Paley European Institute, treatment includes not only the surgery itself, but also family preparation, rehabilitation, and support at every stage of the child’s recovery.

Table of Contents

• How are wounds closed after orthopedic surgery?
• The Natural Scar Healing Process—What Can You Expect?
• How can you care for postoperative scars and reduce the risk of discoloration?
• Post-Surgery Hygiene—Why Does It Affect the Appearance of a Scar?
• When should you see a doctor about a scar?
• Is it possible to improve the appearance of a surgical scar?
• Regenerative Medicine and Modern Methods for Promoting Scar Healing at the Paley European Institute
• Postoperative Care at the Paley European Institute – Support for Children and Families
• Summary. How to Care for Postoperative Scars?

How are wounds closed after orthopedic surgery?

The method used to close the wound affects the appearance of the scar later on. In most cases, absorbable sutures are used after orthopedic surgeries; these gradually dissolve in the body and do not need to be removed later.

After the incision is closed, the wound is covered with a special dressing, often in the form of a transparent protective film (e.g., Tegaderm). This dressing protects the surgical site and usually falls off on its own after a few weeks—most often about 3–6 weeks after the procedure.

Parents should not remove dressings on their own or interfere with the surgical site unless the doctor has instructed them to do so. Proper protection of the wound during the initial period is crucial for proper healing.

The Natural Scar Healing Process—What Can You Expect?

Parents often worry that the initial appearance of a scar indicates improper healing. It’s important to know that the first few weeks and months are a natural phase of skin remodeling.

During the first eight weeks or so, postoperative scars may be:

• raised above the surface of the skin,
• hard to the touch,
• red or pink,
• more noticeable than expected.

These symptoms are usually part of the normal healing process. The body needs time to rebuild the newly formed tissue.

Over time, a scar usually:

• it becomes softer,
• turns pale,
• flattens out,
• It stands out less against healthy skin.

The final appearance of the scar can be assessed only after many months. It is generally accepted that about 9 months after the procedure, it is possible to determine more accurately what the mature scar will look like.

How can you care for postoperative scars and reduce the risk of discoloration?

One of the most important aspects of aftercare is protecting a fresh scar from sunlight. The skin in the surgical area is more prone to discoloration, so you should avoid exposing the scar to the sun for about a year after surgery.

In practice, this means:

• protecting the scar from the sun,
• using creams with a high SPF after the wound has healed,
• Avoid sun exposure to the surgical site.

UV radiation can cause a scar to darken permanently, making it more visible.

Post-Surgery Hygiene—Why Does It Affect the Appearance of a Scar?

Proper post-operative hygiene is important not only for the child’s safety but also for the final appearance of the scar. An infection at the surgical site can disrupt the healing process and make the scar more visible.

Until the wounds have fully healed, you should avoid:

• a bath,
• swimming pool,
• jacuzzi,
• swimming in a lake or other bodies of water.

Submerging a wound in water may increase the risk of infection. If a child is wearing a cast, showering is usually not possible until the cast is removed, typically about 3–6 weeks after surgery. For procedures that do not require a cast, whether the child can bathe depends on the condition of the wounds—in most cases, it is necessary to wait at least about 14 days.

When should you see a doctor about a scar?

Not every change in the appearance of a wound is a cause for concern. A scar that is healing may be pink, slightly firm, and raised. However, there are symptoms that should prompt parents to contact a doctor.

The following may be cause for concern:

• increasing redness around the wound,
• a noticeable warming of the skin,
• swelling,
• discharge or oozing from the surgical site,
• increasing pain,
• a persistent fever above approximately 38°C,
• enlarged and tender lymph nodes in the area around the surgical site.

It is important to monitor the surgical site daily, especially during the first few weeks after surgery.

Is it possible to improve the appearance of a surgical scar?

In most cases, scars become less noticeable over time without the need for additional treatment. However, if a scar remains very visible after the maturation process is complete, a doctor may consider methods to improve its appearance.

Such measures are taken only after a sufficient amount of time has passed—usually after about 9 months, when the scar has fully healed.

Possible methods for improving the appearance of scars include, among others:

• laser therapy,
• dermabrasion,
• surgical scar revision.

The decision to use a specific method always depends on the type of scar, its appearance, and the patient's individual situation.

Regenerative Medicine and Modern Methods for Promoting Scar Healing at the Paley European Institute

The healing process following orthopedic surgery is complex and depends on many factors—the type of procedure, the patient’s individual constitution, and properly managed postoperative care. At the Paley European Institute, our approach to patient care encompasses not only surgical treatment and rehabilitation but also modern methods that support tissue regeneration and improve the appearance of postoperative scars—as you can learn more about on our Facebook page.

Regenerative medicine employs individually tailored techniques designed to support the repair processes of the skin and soft tissues. The choice of a specific method depends on the type of scar, its maturity, and the patient’s needs.

The following, among others, can be used in scar treatment:

• monotherapy – the use of a single therapeutic method selected based on the nature of the scar;
• Botulinum toxin injections —a method used in specific cases, particularly when excessive tissue tension within the scar is a significant problem;
• treatments using amino acids and collagen —which support the skin’s regenerative processes and improve its quality;
• hyaluronic acid injections – used to improve the structure and appearance of tissues in specific cases;
• hybrid therapies – combining various injection methods to comprehensively address several aspects of the scar remodeling process;
• scar excision —a technique used for certain types of scars, particularly when the problem involves abnormal adhesions or depressions;
• Hyaluronic acid implants —solutions used to improve the aesthetics and structure of tissues in appropriately selected cases.

This approach allows us to view a scar not only as a mark left by a past procedure, but also as tissue that undergoes a remodeling process over many months. Appropriately selected methods can help improve its elasticity, appearance, and the function of the surrounding structures.

Among those responsible for the development of regenerative medicine at the Paley European Institute is Dr. Dana Pavlovschi, M.D., who specializes in modern methods of promoting tissue regeneration. Her work aligns with the center’s philosophy, under which patients receive comprehensive care that includes diagnostics, surgical treatment, rehabilitation, and support throughout the process of returning to full health.

Postoperative Care at the Paley European Institute – Support for Children and Families

A child’s orthopedic treatment does not end when they leave the operating room. In the case of complex procedures, such as SEMLS, proper postoperative care, rehabilitation, and preparing the family for daily care are of the utmost importance.

At the Paley European Institute, patients are cared for by a team of specialists who support the family through each stage of treatment. This includes both monitoring the healing process and ongoing efforts related to regaining mobility.

This comprehensive approach combines modern orthopedic surgery with rehabilitation and monitoring of treatment outcomes. Parents also receive information on daily care, wound monitoring, and postoperative care as part of the postoperative care plan.

Summary. How to Care for Postoperative Scars?

The question ofhow to care for postoperative scars is one of the most common questions asked after orthopedicsurgeries in children. The most important factors are patience, proper hygiene, protecting the scar from the sun, and following the medical team’s recommendations.

Scars from surgery do not disappear immediately—their appearance changes gradually over many months. Proper care and monitoring of the healing process help achieve the best possible aesthetic result while supporting the child’s safe return to normal activities.