Scar Care and Getting Back to It
Returning to work, exercise and swimming, and looking after your scar over the first year.
Scar Care
Returning to work, exercise and swimming, and looking after your scar over the first year.
Your full aftercare guide
Everything on this page, plus wound care, pain relief, bleeding first aid and the ring-us list, is in the skin surgery aftercare guide. You can also download it as a leaflet there.
Open the skin surgery aftercare guideChecklist
- Sunscreen on the scar for the first year
- Gym, sport and heavy lifting once the wound has healed over and feels comfortable, usually two to four weeks
- No swimming or hot tubs for at least six weeks
What to Expect
- All skin surgery leaves a permanent scar. It stays red for three to six months, fades towards white, and keeps improving for about a year
- Wounds on the lower leg take a good deal longer to heal, which is normal and nothing to worry about
- Sunscreen on the scar for the first year makes a real difference to how it ends up
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I go back to the gym?
Once the wound has healed over and feels comfortable, usually two to four weeks; longer for the lower leg.
When can I swim?
Avoid swimming and hot tubs for at least six weeks.
Is there anything more I can do for the scar?
Sunscreen for the first year is the single most useful thing. The scar-care page in Patient Information has more on taping, massage and moisturising.
Next Steps
- Return to exercise once the wound has healed over and feels comfortable
- Keep the scar out of the sun or covered with sunscreen for the first year
- Ring us if anything about the scar or wound worries you; it is always better to ask
Need Help?
For the first days after your surgery or procedure, for advice only. Day surgery, closed overnight.