Scar Management (2024)

Avoid contact sports/vigorous activity/direct trauma to surgery site until released to activity by your team.
Your cut/incision will be as strong as it will get at six weeks.
The scar will then continue to change for several months.

Contact Information

Nursing Line

Weekdays 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
412-692-6845

Plastic Surgery On-Call

Emergency
Nights/Weekends
412-692-5325

Scar Process

It will take six to 18 months for the scar to have its final appearance.
Your scar should gradually soften and fade over these six to 18 months, but will look pink initially (photo B).
Some scars never fade. If your scar stays pink after 12 to 18 months please call to discuss options.
If your scar becomes raised and rubbery instead of flat, this could be an abnormal scar process (photo C). Please call if noticed.

Massage

Start scar massage with favorite moisturizer when approved by your team. You can do massage without moisturizer as well.
Massage often. Several times a day for several minutes is OK.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen should be used as soon as approved by your team. This will be once the cut/incision is healed.
Sunscreen will help protect the scar from permanent hyperpigmentation or "tattooing," a permanent darker color that can result from sun exposure and will not fade.
You should apply the sunscreen frequently and use a barrier (hat or clothes) to cover if anticipating prolonged, direct sun exposure.
This is most important while the scar is pink and changing.

Scar Products

SUNSCREEN!
If you are going to use a scar-management product, we prefer silicone-based materials. There are several different brands, such as ScarAway®, Mepiform®, and Biocorneum®.
You can use a silicone tape and massage directly over the tape.
You can also choose as silicone gel and do your massage with the gel.

Revisions

We try to wait 12 to 18 months before revision in order to see the final scar result.
We cannot 'remove' a scar but would be happy to assess to see if it could be improved.

Photo A: Signs of Infection

Photo B: Immature, normal scar

Photo C: Red Ropey Scar

Find a Doctor

MyCHP

Pay My Bill

Donate

Search by:

Last Name

Preferences

Gender

Male
Female

Language

Role

Locations & Directions

Children's Hospital's main campus is located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. Our main hospital address is:

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
One Children’s Hospital Way
4401 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Get directions to our main campus.

In addition to the main hospital, Children's has many convenient locations in other neighborhoods throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.

Search our locations.

For general information and inquiries, please call 412-692-5325.
To make an appointment, you can schedule online or call 412-692-7337 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday
Share a comment, compliment or concern.
Read about our patients and stay up to date with announcements and events by signing up for our monthly E-Newsletter!

MyCHP: Manage your child's health information online - on your time!

With MyCHP, you can request appointments, review test results, and more.

Log-In to MyCHP
Sign Up: Parents, legal guardians, and patients may sign-up online. Parents, legal guardians, and patients may also sign-up in person during a hospital stay, at a clinic appointment, or by visiting the UPMC Health Plan Connect Service and Sales Center at your local mall. Learn More.

Pay My Bill

Hospital Billing

For questions about a hospital bill call:

UPMC Patient Financial Services Center: 1-800-371-8359
UPMC Customer Service: 1-844-591-5949

Online Bill Payment

To pay your bill online, please visit UPMC's online bill payment system.

Donate

UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation

Interested in giving to Children's Hospital? Support the hospital by making a donation online, joining our Heroes in Healing monthly donor program, or visiting our site to learn about the other ways you can give back.