Every surgical incision becomes a scar. How that scar looks at twelve months has very little to do with luck and a great deal to do with the routine you follow in the weeks and months after surgery. This guide walks through what your scar is doing at each stage of healing, when to start active scar care, and the in-clinic protocol that A/Prof Bish Soliman’s dermal therapist uses with patients after body, breast, and reconstructive procedures.

Why scar care matters more than most patients realise

Scars are an unavoidable consequence of any surgery, but their final appearance is heavily influenced by how the wound is managed in the first twelve months. Genetics play a real role; the daily routine plays a bigger one than most patients expect. The goal of structured scar care is simple: a flat, pale, soft, narrow scar that fades into the background of the surrounding skin.

A surgical scar continues to mature for twelve to eighteen months after the operation. The earlier you start a structured aftercare routine (once your wound is ready), the greater the impact on the final result. Waiting six months to “see how it looks” is the most common mistake patients make.

The four stages of surgical scar healing

Every scar passes through the same four phases. Knowing which stage you are in tells you what to expect from the scar and what you should be doing about it.

Stage	When	What the scar looks like	What you do
Haemostasis	0 to 48 hours	Wound is closed, clot is forming, dressings are in place	Leave dressings intact, follow discharge instructions
Inflammation	Day 2 to week 2	Red, swollen, tender, possibly bruised	Keep clean and dry, no products on the wound itself
Proliferation	Week 2 to around week 6	Tight, raised, angry-looking; collagen is laying down	Most patients begin tape and balm in this window, once cleared
Remodelling	Week 6 to month 18	Gradually pales, softens, and flattens	Consistency of scar care here determines the final result

The remodelling stage is the longest, and it is where patient effort matters most. The scar you have at six weeks is not the scar you will have at twelve months, provided you stay consistent with your routine.

When can you start treating a surgical scar?

Roughly six weeks after surgery is when we’ll usually start you on active scar therapy. Sometimes a bit sooner, sometimes a bit later. It depends on the wound. By then the incision should have closed up, the crusts will be gone, and your surgical team will have given you the green light. Go too soon and the new skin can’t handle it. You risk tearing fragile tissue, sparking irritation, or giving bacteria a way in.

A/Prof Bish Soliman’s dermal therapist reviews every patient individually before clearing them to begin active scar care. The exact start point depends on the procedure, the location of the incision, and how your wound has healed. A long abdominoplasty incision is not always ready at the same time as a small earlobe wound.

The Nokori scar care protocol used in our clinic

A/Prof Bish Soliman’s dermal therapist uses the Nokori range, specifically the medical-grade silicone Scar Tape and the plant-based Scar Balm, as the in-clinic post-operative scar management routine. Patients are issued their products and shown how to use them at their first post-op review, once cleared.

Two complementary products do two different jobs. The tape provides continuous protection and gentle compression. The balm conditions the skin and provides slip for daily scar massage.

Nokori Scar Tape

The Scar Tape is a thin, atraumatic, reusable dressing made from one hundred per cent medical-grade silicone. It forms a breathable barrier over the scar that hydrates the tissue, applies gentle compression, and helps regulate collagen production through the remodelling stage. Silicone is considered the gold standard for topical scar management in plastic surgery.

Used consistently, the tape can help reduce the risk of hypertrophic and keloid scarring. The recommended use is a minimum of twelve weeks, and up to twelve months for the best aesthetic outcome.

Nokori Scar Balm

The Scar Balm is a solid, oil-based balm formulated with bio-active plant extracts. It is designed specifically for scar massage. The balm melts on contact with skin so it glides over the scar without dragging or pulling on the tissue beneath. It conditions the skin and keeps the area supple while you massage.

The balm is free from parabens, mineral oils, and synthetic fragrance, which makes it suitable for sensitive post-surgical skin.

How the two products work together

Most patients alternate between the two products. A common routine is tape during the day and balm at night, or several days on tape followed by several days on balm and massage. The balm must absorb fully (at least six hours) before tape is applied, otherwise the tape will not stick. Your dermal therapist will tailor the routine to your scar and your lifestyle.

How to massage a surgical scar

Scar massage breaks down internal collagen build-up and helps the scar mature flat. It is one of the most underrated parts of scar care. Once cleared (usually at six weeks), massage twice daily for five to ten minutes per session.

The technique is straightforward:

Apply a small amount of Nokori Scar Balm to the scar.
Use the pads of two or three fingers.
Move in slow, firm circles across the scar, then along the scar, then across again.
Press hard enough to make the skin go pale, but stop short of sharp pain.
Keep this up for at least three to six months. If the scar is still pink, stick with it for longer.

Pain is your stop signal. Mild tightness or discomfort is normal in the early weeks; sharp pain is not. If anything feels wrong, pause the massage and check in with the clinic.

Sun protection: the easiest scar mistake to make

A new scar exposed to UV will pigment permanently. SPF 50+ over the scar (or under clothing) is non-negotiable for the first twelve months. This is true even on overcast days, and especially through a Sydney summer.

In those first weeks, try to keep clothing over the scar whenever you can, even in the car. Once your wound has fully closed and you’ve been cleared to use sunscreen, our dermal therapist tends to reach for zinc-based mineral sunscreens. They’re kind to freshly healed skin and give you solid broad-spectrum protection.

Pigmentation from UV damage in the first year is one of the few scar changes that does not improve on its own. Prevention is much easier than correction.

Signs your scar isn’t healing normally

Most scars settle uneventfully. A small number do not, and the sooner you flag a problem, the more options you have. Contact the clinic if you notice any of the following:

The scar becoming raised, rubbery, and itchy beyond six weeks (possible hypertrophic scarring)
The scar growing beyond the boundary of the original incision (possible keloid)
Persistent redness past twelve months
Sudden pain, discharge, warmth, or fever (this is an infection concern, not a scarring concern, and needs prompt review)

Hypertrophic scars often respond well to intralesional steroid injections, fractional or vascular laser, or surgical scar revision. Early review changes outcomes; a young, active scar is much more responsive to treatment than a mature one.

A realistic 12-month scar timeline

Use this as your quick reference:

Weeks 0 to 6. Just protect the wound. Don’t put anything on the scar yet. Leave your dressings alone unless your team tells you otherwise, and turn up to every post-op review.
Weeks 6 to 12. Now you can start with the tape and balm. Massage twice a day, and slap SPF 50+ over the scar any time it’s out in the open.
Months 3 to 6. Stick with it every day. Don’t slack on sun protection. Around now the scar should start to pale and flatten out.
Months 6 to 12. Your scar should keep fading and softening. Some patients drop the tape and balm back to every second day, depending on what the clinic recommends.
Month 12 review. If bits of the scar are still pink, raised, or giving you grief, book in for a review. We can talk through revision or laser options from there.

Showing up matters a lot more than going all out. A quick routine you stick with every day will get you further than something elaborate you give up on by week three.

Why choose A/Prof Bish Soliman for plastic and reconstructive surgery in Sydney

A/Prof Bish Soliman is a Sydney-based, award-winning Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. He performs aesthetic, reconstructive, and microsurgical procedures across nine Sydney hospitals and is supported by a dedicated dermal therapist who manages every patient’s scar care from the day surgical dressings come off. The in-clinic Nokori protocol is part of a structured, individualised aftercare program designed around each procedure, whether that is a tummy tuck, a breast lift, DIEP flap breast reconstruction, or skin cancer surgery.

Credentials

FRACS (Plastic Surgery). Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
MS (Plastic Surgery). Master of Surgery, University of Sydney.
MBBS (Hons 1). Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, First Class Honours, University of Notre Dame Australia.
BCom. Bachelor of Commerce, University of Sydney.
Morgan Travelling Fellowship. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
AHPRA Specialist Registration in Plastic Surgery. MED 0001679053. Two consultant microsurgery positions at major Sydney tertiary referral hospitals.
Awards: Bower and Sherrard Medal (Notre Dame), JMO of the Year (Westmead Hospital), NSW Doctor of the Year Finalist.

Professional memberships

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) profile
Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) profile
Australian and New Zealand Board of Certified Plastic Surgeons (ANZBCPS) profile
Australian Medical Association (AMA) member
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS USA) member

Clinic locations

The Woollahra Clinic. Level 1, 156 Edgecliff Road, Woollahra NSW 2025
West Pennant Hills. 31 Castle Hill Road, West Pennant Hills NSW 2125
North Shore Health Hub. Tower A, Level 3, Suite 5/7 Westbourne Street, St Leonards NSW 2065

If you would like to discuss a procedure, or if you are an existing patient who has questions about your scar care routine, book a consultation with A/Prof Bish Soliman at any of our three Sydney locations. The clinic accepts GP referrals. Phone 1300 372 474.

FAQs

When should I start using silicone scar tape after surgery?

Six weeks after surgery is the usual starting point. By then the wound has closed, any crusting has resolved, and the surgical team should give you the all-clear. Earlier than that and you risk aggravating skin that isn’t ready. Later than that still helps, but you won’t get quite as much out of it.

How long do I need to use silicone scar tape and balm?

A minimum of twelve weeks of consistent use, and up to twelve months for the best aesthetic outcome. Scar maturation continues for twelve to eighteen months after surgery, and tape and balm support the scar through that whole window.

What is Nokori scar tape made of?

Nokori Scar Tape is a thin, reusable dressing made from one hundred per cent medical-grade silicone. It is atraumatic, meaning it can be peeled off without damaging the underlying skin, and it is supplied through A/Prof Bish Soliman’s clinic as part of the post-operative scar care routine.

Can I shower or swim with silicone scar tape on?

You can shower with Nokori Scar Tape in place; it is water-resistant and breathable. Pool and ocean swimming is best avoided while the tape is on, because chlorine, salt, and friction will lift the adhesive and shorten the life of the tape.

Does scar massage actually do anything?

Yes. Daily scar massage from around six weeks post-op helps break down collagen build-up below the surface, reduces the risk of a thickened scar, and improves the long-term softness and flexibility of the scar tissue. Massage is most effective when paired with a conditioning balm.

What if my scar is still red and raised after a year?

If your scar is still pink, raised, or symptomatic at twelve months, book a review with A/Prof Bish Soliman. Options at that point can include intralesional steroid injection, vascular or fractional laser treatment, or surgical scar revision, depending on the scar type.

Medical references

All surgery carries risks. Individual results vary. Always consult a qualified specialist plastic surgeon for personalised advice. This article is general information only and does not constitute medical advice or a doctor-patient relationship.

How to Care for Surgical Scars: A Step-by-Step Recovery Timeline