A cleft lip is a form of lip malformation that occurs very early in pregnancy, when the baby’s facial features are just beginning to develop. The tissues that create the top lip do not come together and fuse normally. This results in an abnormal slit, or “cleft”, in the upper lip. The nostrils and tip of the nose are also usually affected.
Cleft lip deformities can affect one or both sides of the upper lip. They can also occur in conjunction with a cleft in the roof of the mouth. This is known as a cleft palate. Cleft palates can also occur in isolation.
Surgery can correct a cleft lip, but leaves behind a facial scar on the top lip and around the base of the nose that can be quite visible. Most parents are understandably very eager to fade and minimize their child’s scar after cleft lip surgery.
The fresh scar is usually red, which is normal. As any wound begins to heal, the body creates new tiny blood vessels to bring extra blood to the area to help healing. This extra blood flow can make new scars appear quite red. Unfortunately, in some cases, the scar redness continues beyond this initial healing phase. The new scar may also become raised and firm.
It can take several months before the scar begins to soften, flatten, and fade. However, with proper care, the scar can eventually become much lighter, thinner and softer.
When Will the Scar Go Away?
Unfortunately, most surgical scars are permanent so there is no way to get rid of a cleft lip scar completely. It can take a year or longer for the scar to fade, soften and look it’s best.
Some scars don’t mature well and develop into more prominent scars over time. The other issue with children is that they grow. As they grow, their facial features (and facial scars) grow too. While the amount of scarring in proportion to the facial features stays the same, the absolute size of the scar gets bigger, and potentially more visible, as children grow into adults.
Will Vitamin E Help?
Many parents prefer to use a “natural” scar treatment and choose vitamin E. However, vitamin E has not actually been shown to reliably improve scars, and may even cause skin irritation in as many as 1/3rd of users. Aloe vera is a much safer “natural” choice.
Topical silicone is the gold standard in scar care; a product that combines silicone with natural ingredients like aloe vera is the most logical (and effective) choice for most parents.
The preferred scar therapy can be started as soon as the initial wound has healed, often within just a couple of weeks after surgery, as long as this is cleared by the surgeon ahead of time.
What Can I Do to Maximize the Results?
As you wait for your scar therapy to work, there are several things you can do to ensure the best results. First and foremost, a healthy diet is essential for normal healing, something you’ll already be providing for your little one!
Keep your child’s scar out of the sun as much as possible. Sun exposure increases scar pigmentation and can make scars permanently dark or red. Use a good tear-free sunscreen every time your child goes outside. Just be sure to put the sunscreen on after the scar therapy; the scar therapy should be applied directly to the skin.
Scar massage can also really help soften firm scars but this can be very tough to do in children. Try to apply pressure to the upper lip in a circular motion for as long as your child tolerates. This helps break up scar tissue and softens firm scars. One technique is to grasp the upper lip between the thumb and index finger and then lightly squeeze the scar in a circular motion.
We encourage parents to choose a scar treatment with a proven safety profile - InviCible Scars, for instance, not only contains proven ingredients but has also won the Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center.
Have a question about your scar? Leave a comment and we’ll be happy to answer.
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Image credit: Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
