By Lindsay Davis
I want to preface this article by stating that I find scars to be a beautiful thing that no one should be ashamed of. I wear mine proudly and think of them as warrior markings. When weve been through something so difficult, there’s no reason we should be embarrassed by something that marks us as survivors.
With that said, certain aspects of our healing are rarely talked about. Hospital stays and health problems can lead to role changes and how you feel about yourself. Focus understandably shifts to your health instead of previous passions, which creates a different sense of self. Youre in unfamiliar territory and anything that is unfamiliar can knock your confidence.
Over the years Ive received numerous questions on the topic of hospital beauty hacks.” These are tips for when you get out of the hospital and want to remove electrode adhesives spots or cover those bruises. You can follow these tips for quick ways to get a slice of your pre-hospital life back while adjusting to a new normal and taking care of yourself physically and mentally.
1) Adhesive Remover
These little pads do wonders. We can all attest to scrubbing our skin raw trying to remove tape and adhesives from our bodies during that first glorious shower once we get home. Most hospitals will just use alcohol as a remover. While that can be effective, you still have to scrub, which can be uncomfortable. These pads moisturize and break up the adhesive bond with very little rubbing to minimize skin trauma.
2) Bruises/Scar Conceal
For years, I used a yellow concealer under a regular thick concealer. The idea is the yellow balances out the purple undertones of bruises. I was never fully happy with the results. I learned from celebrity makeup artist Natalie Malchev (Instagram: @glambynatalie) that a good concealer and translucent powder is all you need. You can cover pretty much anything from bruises to scars.
I recently was in the hospital and had to be at a red carpet event two days later. Natalie used her artistry to return me to my pre-hospital stay state while I asked her for tips on how to achieve her results at home. She told me that she finds Kevyn Aucoins skin enhancer pots the best. Transformative results will be achieved in four steps.
- Apply Kevyn Aucoin skin enhancer using a small concealer brush to lay down the product onto the scar.
- Using a beauty blender, blend the product out so that you cant tell there is any product on your skin.
- Pat translucent powder using a velvet puff into the application area.
- If you feel the scar needs more coverage, repeat the above steps up to three times.
3) Minimizing Scars
We all scar differently, but how we scar is a fascinating process that just might make you rethink how you view your own. Scars result from our bodies biologic process of repairing skin and other tissue. An open wound would leave us susceptible to infection and danger, so our bodies institute a microscopic rapid response team to repair them as quickly as possible.
The first thing the body does when it is wounded, burned or injured is bleed. From there it forms blood clots. When the upper layers of the clot dry out, they form a scab, which shields the skin from other disturbances. Underneath that layer of protection, the lower layers of the clot become host to cells called fibroblasts, whose job is to replace the scab with scar tissue.
Most scars are flat and pale, but in cases where the body produces too much collagen, we form hypertrophic or keloid scars, which are raised. Some scars can be pitted. This occurs when underlying structures of skin such as fat or muscle are lost.
Ive found topical treatments to be the most effective for minimizing my scars. While healing, I use Kelo-Cote, which is a silicone scar gel. I received mine from my surgeon but it is widely available online. You can also use vitamin E or cocoa butter as topical alternatives. They all work to reduce the discoloration and itchiness that healing typically produces.
While you will improve physically after leaving the hospital, remember that there is no predetermined time allotted for emotional convalescence. Its important to realize that negative feelings very normal. Not only our bodies, but also our feelings go through a period of adjustment with a change in our health. Dont be concerned if your recovery period appears to differ from that of others. Keep in mind most of the limitations and feelings are temporary and things will get better.
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