When your skin experiences trauma, whether accidental or surgical, your body starts to heal the wound. Scar formation is a natural response during this recovery process.

Below are tips from dermatologists on how to lessen the appearance of scars from injuries like scraped knees or deep wounds.

1. Keep the wound clean.
Gently cleanse the wound with a mild soap and water to eliminate debris and ward off germs.

2. Maintain moisture in the wound.
To promote healing, apply petroleum jelly to prevent the wound from drying out and forming a scab.

3. Use wound dressing.
Protect the skin by covering it with an adhesive bandage that has a nonstick surface and change it regularly. For larger scrapes, wounds, burns, or ongoing redness, hydrogel or silicone gel sheets may be beneficial.

4. Leave the scabs alone.
Whether it is a current breakout or a new wound, picking at it often aggravates the situation. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), it can lead to more severe acne and increased scarring.

5. Apply sunscreen once the wound has healed.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply regularly to help minimize red or brown discoloration and speed up the fading of the scar.

6. Minimize movement.
When a new scar moves, it alters its formation and turns it into a thicker or wider scar. Do your best to stay still. Gently massage the scar to help break up tissue that could lead to thick scars.

7. Get stitches promptly if needed.
While wounds often heal without medical intervention, stitches may be beneficial depending on the severity of the injury. If too much time elapses, germs or bacteria may build up and a medical provider might choose not to stitch it due to the increased risk of infection.