As a dual hip replacement recipient, I have two surgical scars...they are lengthy and very deep scars. Scar tissue is dense, fibrous, and tends to feel tight and itchy. There are no hair follicles and no sweat glands in scar tissue, which is why they appear and feel so different than the skin they replace. The appearance and texture of a scar can improve. In chapter 5 of my book, Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide for Hip Replacement Surgery, I refer to a therapeutic massage technique called "cross-fiber friction" and a scar care product that I have used for over 11 years. Here’s an excerpt from page 90…
"Per my doctor's recommendation, I used a product called Bio-Oil, massaging it into my scar morning and night using a technique called cross-fiber friction. Basically, you massage against the grain of the muscle in a circular motion helping to loosen, soften, and gently stretch the tissue. If you're a cook who prepares meat for the grill, you may have rubbed salt and spices into a roast or steak. The goal is to tenderize the meat by softening and stretching the tissue. Massaging your surgical scar is much the same, this technique can minimize the puckering and dimpled appearance as well. Even an older scar can benefit from this care. Our skin is living, breathing tissue made up of cells that regenerate daily. Massage sloughs off dead skin, brings blood and nutrients to the surface, and improves the health of our skin."
Want more health-related resources, tips, and advice? Check out the recovery tips in my resource guide, Butternut to Bionic - the methods I share apply to nearly any type of surgery. Also, be sure to visit the Anderson Therapeutics website for freebies and my author page on Amazon that highlights weekly blog posts.
Be Well! ~Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES
*This post first published June 28, 2018.
