Scarring: Mastering massage and make-up techniques

I CARE
FOR MY SCARS

After your treatment you may be left with scars on your face or body which can be a daily uninvited reminder of your battle with cancer. At La Roche-Posay we understand that scars can have real repercussions on your quality of life from an aesthetic, psychological, social, and professional standing.

expert
point of view

It is very important to take care of your scar through self-massage and physiotherapy in order to avoid a bad evolution and to improve movement, comfort and aesthetics.

Jean-Marc Oviève Physiotherapist, president of the College of masso-physiotherapy

Scarring can also be extremely uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and can make the surrounding skin tight or itchy. But there are things you can do proactively to make living with them more bearable. When you feel you are ready, take some time to start a gentle massage routine, as advised by your healthcare professional, to improve the flexibility and comfort of your skin. Read on for the benefits of massage, and practical guides to help you get started.

Blending your scars into your skin can do a huge amount to improve your self-confidence after cancer. Even if you are not a regular make-up wearer, there are products that are easy to apply, and techniques that are simple to learn that will make a huge difference to masking your scars. Below are some professional tips to help you conceal your scars.

did you know

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Your scar might evolve
over 12 to 18 months.

Source: www.college-mk.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/recommandations-CMK-automassage-2018-07.pdf

I BENEFIT
FROM MASSAGE

Massage can increase the flexibility and elasticity of your scar, improve skin hydration, skin quality, and reduce pain and itching.

In addition to regularly cleaning the scar area with a washing gel or a soap-free cleanser, surgeons and physiotherapists recommend massaging the lesion twice a day as soon as it is dry, clean and well closed, and stitches or staples have been removed. Please note that it is very important to start the massage once the scar is closed.

We recommend moisturising the area with a repairing balm before performing the massage technique your doctor or physiotherapist has advised.

CAUTION

There are many different types of scars varying in severity, so it is essential to seek the advice of a healthcare professional before performing any massage, so as not to aggravate the condition of the existing scar.
Don’t hesitate to discuss it with your doctor, your referring nurse, a physiotherapist or a dermatologist, who can show you the correct self-massage techniques.

SELF-MASSAGING YOUR SCAR
HOW TO SELF MASSAGE

Let’s start the self-massage.

Let’s start the self-massage.
MAKE CIRCULAR MOVEMENTS. Start by placing your hand and making circular movements, MASSAGE HORIZONTALLY FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. Then slide the hand horizontally. If the scar is not painful, you can press a bit harder. Try not to slide the hand over the skin. You must try to lift up the skin.
MASSAGE VERTICALLY UP AND DOWN. Do the same thing from top to bottom. However it is painful, you can put your hand underneath. This will still move your scar.
PINCH THE SIDES TO LIFT THE SCAR. Next take the scar between your fingers and pinch the two sides together.
USE A SOOTHING REPAIRING BALM. To kneed and roll the scar, you can use CICAPLAST BAUME B5 which will help you to slide over the scar.
PINCH THE SIDES AND ROLL THE SCAR. So you pinch the two sides of the scar together. Then you knead and roll. It is best to massage it twice daily for at least 10 minutes.
In addition to massaging, moisturize several times a day to help you scar heal more quickly, improve its appearance and make it more supple.
LA ROCHE-POSAY LABORATOIRE DERMATOLOGIQUE

I BLEND
MY SCARS

It is a great idea to play around with cosmetics to make your scars less noticeable. This can improve your confidence and make you feel more like your old self again. But be cautious. Use make-up to improve your appearance, rather than aiming for perfection, as a thick layer of make-up will only draw attention to your scar, rather than blend it in.

Scars reach their maturity at around 18 months, so make a note to regularly check the shade of your corrective products to ensure they still reflect your skin tone. The appearance of your scar will change continually for a year and a half before it finally stabilizes. Raised or enlarged scars are harder to conceal but can still be blended to some degree with the right corrective products.

Pro Tips To Conceal Scars
For A Natural Look

Let's see how to cover your scar with make-up from La Roche-Posay.

To apply make-up to a scar, it must be closed, non-oozing not scabby and non-pathological.
First of all, seek advice from a health professional.
First, spray thermal spring water onto the skin, then apply Cicaplast Baume B5.
Apply sun protection as Anthelios to scars that are under 18 months old, to reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation.

Choose a corrective foundation that is a shade in between the shade of the healthy skin and the scar. Apply with a sponge or a brush in perpendicular lines. Next, blend the corrective foundation from the center of the scar outwards, then dab the center of the scar with the foundation to cover it.

Finally, set make-up with a mineral powder for scars on the face, neck and neckline, to give a mattifying effect. Spray Thermal Spring water onto body scars.

Before and after images,
Cancer support by La Roche-Posay