Healing from electrocautery on small bump on nose

[zero444]

I had a small bump zapped on my nose about 3 weeks ago and have been keeping it moist with aquaphor while it heals. I've read up on how wounds heal and currently that bump is a lot smaller, but still there and very red. I assume this is the proliferation phase of the wound healing. Because this is a "scar" forming, i was wondering if it should be squishy? I massage it and when I push it, it feels like a empty sac almost. I'm wondering if this is a normal part of wound healing and if I should keep massaging it to help it. Also, I sometimes notice blackheads trying to form near the top. Do blackheads form in scars? Is that good or bad?

[jemma116]

Broken skin means just that.  A cut, a graze, an open wound.
So if your incision has closed up but has left a red scar, then that is fine and it means there is no broken skin.
If the cut has not closed up yet, then that is classed as broken skin.

The reason new scar tissue gets sunburned more easily is because it is "new" skin and not like the rest of the skin that has toughened up.

Hope that explains things for you.

Don't worry too much, you should be fine.

[zero444]

Oh I had another quick question. I know that new scars/wounds are really sensitive to sun as the skin healing is not nearly strong enough. However, I see a lot of sun screens warn not to put on "broken skin". I imagine this is skin that is still in the bleeding phase, not in the collagen/scar building phase? I'm wondering if sunscreen is harsh even though it seems pretty necessary to put on? I use Olay's sensitive SPF 30 currently which has zinc oxide.

[jemma116]

All medications come with side effects and if you know that this cream has not helped you in the past, then it is better not to use it.  You may be allergic to some of the ingredients.

Just leave the scar alone, cover it up when you go out in the sun.  New scar tissue usually gets sunburned quicker.

Just wash the area gently with water, no harsh or perfumed soaps and let time do the healing.

Best wishes.

[zero444]

Yea, unfortunately it is extremely irritating and drying. You're not suppose to put it on "healing" skin although up until recently I never understood how the body healed and how long it actually took. Unfortunately, I always think of questions after my appointment :p. Anyways, thanks for your input and help. I think this time I'm going to try to let my skin heal naturally and gently. I've used tazorac previous times and the bump just grew back. I believe irritating and drying out the skin leads to delayed healing which leads to a bump/scar so I'll see how this time goes. Thanks again!

[jemma116]

What I have read about Tazorac is that is it used to treat acne, wrinkles, psoriasis.  It contains Tazarotene which is a compound similar to vitamin A. The information on his states that It helps the skin to renew itself more quickly and may improve the appearance and texture of skin.

If the two consultants have told you to use that, then that's what you should do.  Just take care, because it can cause sensitivities to the sun and  can make you sunburn more easily.

If you have any queries about your "zapped bump", you should be clarifying these with the dermatologists.

Best wishes.

[zero444]

Yea... I've had this bump zapped from two separate dermatologists before and they both suggested to start up my tretinoin products a week or two afterwards...which this time I'm not doing because I feel like a harsh product like Tazorac would most definitely NOT help with wound healing right? I've been trying to do sea salt soaks which are supposedly gentle and keeping it moist. I'm finally reading up on the body's natural healing process although the whole moist vs dry thing is confusing to me. I feel like this time the bump has a little overgranulation but nothing too bad.

[jemma116]

If you pick scabs, that's when you end up with a scar.

3 weeks is only early days for the redness to completely go.  It is still healing.

You should really be talking to the medical people that zapped your bump for advice on taking care of things.  I am surprised they didn't tell you what to do.

Best wishes.

[zero444]

Hey, thanks for the answer! So I'm assuming since it's been 3 weeks, it's in the "proliferative phase" of healing. I've read that it's better to keep the wound moist so that the scar does not reopen and it has optimal healing? I've read that scabs lead to scars. I've also read massages help the scar when it's in this stage which is why I've been giving it light pressure.

[jemma116]

You should keep the wound dry and not apply any moisture to it.  And certainly stop poking about with it.  Wounds heal better when they are left to dry, a scab will form and when the skin is healed underneath, the scab will fall off.  

By messing about with it you are prolonging the healing process.