Top Questions About C-Section Scar Recovery Answered

Healing from a C-section scar takes time, but with the right care and attention , your scar can heal beautifully whilst you regain your strength and confidence.

Here’s what you need to know:

Understand your healing timeline;

Your caesarean scar goes through distinct phases of healing, rather like watching a garden grow back after winter. Understanding these stages can help you know what's normal and when to seek support.

• Healing Timeline: Most scars are considered healed by 6–12 weeks, but deeper recovery can take up to 2 years.
• Care Tips: Keep the scar clean and dry, wear loose clothing, and use silicone-based treatments to reduce scarring.
• Scar Massage: Start gentle massage 2–3 weeks after stitches are removed to improve flexibility and reduce tightness.
• Common Challenges: Watch for issues like keloid or hypertrophic scars, numbness, itching, or excess skin above the scar.
• Physiotherapy: Focus on pelvic floor and core exercises to rebuild strength, especially if you have diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation).

• Sun Protection: Protect your scar from sunlight with SPF 30+ or clothing to prevent darkening.

C-section scar

C-Section Scar Healing Stages

Knowing what to expect during your C-section scar's healing process can help you prepare and manage your recovery. The healing journey unfolds in clear stages, each with its own characteristics.

First 2 Weeks After Surgery

In the first couple of weeks, your body focuses on stopping the bleeding, preventing infection, and beginning the process of sealing the wound. The edges of the incision typically close within two days, but the area remains sensitive and requires careful attention.

Common experiences during this stage include:

• Pain and tenderness around the scar
• Light bleeding or discharge
• Initial itching as the wound starts to heal

To support healing, keep the area clean and dry. Opt for loose cotton underwear to minimise irritation. If needed, take prescribed pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen, but avoid aspirin while breastfeeding. Once the wound stabilises, the body begins to rebuild tissue.

Weeks 3–12 After Surgery

This is when the most noticeable healing takes place. New tissue forms, and collagen strengthens the scar. During this time, the scar may appear reddish-purple as it continues to heal.

"A C-section scar will reach 80 percent of its strength by week 6. At that point, it can be considered healed and is not at any increased risk of infection or injury." – Dr. Zuriarrain

Key developments during this phase include:

• The scar gradually softening and flattening
• Changes in sensation around the area
• Increased comfort during daily activities
• The option to start gentle scar massage (usually 2–3 weeks after stitches are removed)

These changes mark substantial progress, but the scar will continue to improve in the months ahead.

Months 3–12 After Surgery

The final phase of healing focuses on refining the scar's appearance and texture. Silicone-based treatments during this stage can help improve the scar's pigmentation and texture by up to 60%.

Typical changes during this period include:

• The scar's colour fading from purple to white or brown
• Enhanced flexibility of the surrounding tissue
• Reduced thickness and prominence
• A smoother, less visible appearance

Protecting the scar from sun exposure and following recommended treatments can make a noticeable difference. While the most visible changes happen within the first year, deeper healing can continue for up to two years.

For a more tailored approach to recovery, consider scheduling an abdominal assessment at Lidder Therapies. We provide a one-hour consultation to evaluate your scar's progress and recommend personalised care options to support your healing journey.

Common C-Section Scar Issues

Recovering from a C-section often brings certain scar-related challenges. Knowing what to look out for can help determine when it’s time to seek professional advice.

Types of Problem Scars

Not all caesarean scars heal in exactly the same way, and some may need additional support. Here's what to watch for:

Raised or Prominent Scars

Some women may develop keloid or hypertrophic scars. Keloid scars grow beyond the original incision, giving them a more pronounced, raised appearance. In contrast, hypertrophic scars stay within the incision area but appear thicker and firmer.

"If you've had a keloid scar elsewhere, you may be at higher risk of developing a more prominent C-section scar." - Jessica Wu, M.D.

These scars don’t just differ visually; they can also lead to unique sensations during the healing process.

Changes in Scar Feeling

Many women experience altered sensations around their C-section scars. In fact, around 7–18% experience numbness, itching, or even chronic pain. Numbness often occurs due to nerve disruption, itching arises as nerves regenerate, and pain can result from tight scar tissue.

As we often tell our patients, "It's very common for caesarean scars to itch or hurt years later, but that doesn't mean you have to put up with it."

Excess Skin Above Scar

Another common concern is the development of excess skin or a bulge above the scar. This issue is often linked to stretched abdominal muscles and hormonal changes. Diastasis recti - a condition where abdominal muscles separate - affects approximately one in three women during the first year postpartum.

Treatment options depend on the severity of the issue. Non-surgical solutions include core-strengthening exercises, wearing supportive garments, and working with a physiotherapist. For more severe cases, surgical interventions like abdominoplasty may be necessary.

Proven Scar Treatments

There are several well-supported treatments available to improve the appearance and function of scars.

Creams and Gels

Silicone-based products are widely regarded as the top choice for managing scars. They create a protective barrier that helps regulate skin moisture, which in turn prevents excess collagen production.

Here’s how to use them effectively:

• Wait until the wound is fully healed (usually about two weeks after surgery) before starting treatment.
• Apply a thin layer of silicone gel twice a day for up to 90 days.
• If using silicone sheets, wear them for 12–24 hours daily over a period of 2–3 months.

"The clinical support of topical silicone gel products, relative to all alternative scar therapies, is considered the internationally recommended first-line form of scar management, and favoured by consensus among healthcare professionals."

In the UK, you can find these silicone-based options at pharmacies:

• Kelo‑Cote Scar Treatment Gel (available at Boots)

• Frida Silicone Scar strips

• Scarban Silicone scar strips

  
  

  For additional scar care, manual techniques like massage can also be highly effective.

Massage Methods

Scar massage is another useful approach to reduce excess tissue formation and improve circulation.

"Think of normal tissue like two layers of saran wrap with oil in the middle, allowing for an easy glide. But when scar tissue and adhesions form, the oil is instead like honey, which creates stickiness and restriction with the layers of tissue." – Amanda Welter, DPT

Here’s a simple guide to scar massage techniques:

Phase	Technique	Timing
Phase 1	Gentle movements around the edges of the scar	Start around six weeks post-surgery
Phase 2	Circular motions with gradually increasing pressure	Spend about five minutes daily
Phase 3	Deeper massage focusing on tight areas	Weekly, as mobility improves

If home care isn’t enough, medical treatments can provide additional support.

Medical Treatments

For scars causing ongoing pain, numbness, or restricted movement, specialised therapy can be a game-changer. Clinics like Lidder Therapies offer scar massage therapy, which typically begins six weeks after surgery.

These sessions aim to ease pain and itching, improve mobility, and release tissue restrictions. They also address surrounding areas such as the abdomen, back, and hips to enhance overall comfort.

Scar therapy at Lidder Therapies

Physiotherapy After Caesarean Section

Physiotherapy plays a key role in helping you recover after a caesarean, addressing discomfort, stiffness, and weakened muscles.

Pelvic Floor and Core Strength

Even after a caesarean birth, the pelvic floor may need attention. A personalised rehabilitation plan can help restore strength and function. Here's a general timeline of recommended activities:

Timeline	Recommended Activities	Focus Areas
0–6 weeks	Gentle breathing exercises, light pelvic floor activation, walking	Reconnecting with core muscles
6–12 weeks	Gradual strengthening exercises, low impact cardio	Building foundational strength
12+ weeks	Advanced core work, functional movement training and strengthening	Returning to daily activities and building strenghth

This structured approach supports recovery and prepares you for further evaluations. For a more personalised plan, Lidder Therapies offers the Mummy MOT, a comprehensive postnatal assessment that typically begins around 8 weeks post-surgery. This service evaluates your progress and provides a tailored rehabilitation programme.

Scar and Stomach Check-ups

Regular check-ups of your caesarean scar and abdominal muscles are vital for proper healing. During these sessions, a physiotherapist will:

• Assess scar mobility and tissue healing
• Examine core muscle function and coordination
• Identify any movement restrictions
• Adjust exercises based on your progress

These evaluations help fine-tune your recovery plan, especially if abdominal muscle separation is present.

Separated Stomach Muscles

Addressing abdominal muscle separation, or diastasis recti, is an important part of postnatal recovery. This condition can persist in up to 60% of women after childbirth.

"The abdominal muscles and surrounding tissue have to stretch to accommodate for the growing fetus over the course of pregnancy" – Ellen Casey, MD, Sports Medicine Physician

Rehabilitation involves two key steps:

• Assessment and Movement: Your physiotherapist will measure the abdominal gap and suggest adjustments to daily movements to minimise pressure on your abdomen. These might include:
  • Rolling onto your side when getting out of bed
  • Supporting your abdomen during coughing or sneezing
  • Maintaining proper posture while feeding
• Exercise Programme: Begin with gentle core activation exercises, gradually advancing to more challenging movements as your strength improves. The focus is on engaging your core by drawing your belly button towards your spine without causing bulging in the abdomen.

This structured approach ensures a safer and more effective recovery.

Daily Scar Care Tips

To support proper scar healing, set up a simple cleaning station with essentials like cotton wool, fragrance-free wipes, a mirror, a clean bowl, nappy bags, a small towel, and sanitary pads. This makes daily care easier and more effective.

Keeping Your Scar Clean

The NHS provides straightforward guidelines for wound care:

• Use plain water to clean the wound - skip the soap.
• Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel; avoid rubbing.
• Always wash your hands before and after touching the wound.
• Opt for loose-fitting cotton clothing to allow airflow.

For those with an overhanging tummy, it's important to lift the skin gently and let air circulate for a few minutes after cleaning. Once the area is clean, you can start incorporating light, safe physical activity to aid recovery.

Safe Exercise Guide

Physical activity is key to recovery, but it’s important to ease into it at the right pace. The NHS recommends a gradual approach:

Timeline	Recommended Activities	Notes
0–6 weeks	Walking, pelvic floor exercises, body weight exercises	Start once your catheter is removed as listen to your body
6–8 weeks	Low-impact activities, small weight exercises	Progress after your postnatal GP check
12+ weeks	Pilates, yoga, gentle jogging and gradual return to sports and lifting heavier weights	If your recovery is on track. You can be assessed for return to impact, running and lifting heavier weights.

Pay close attention to how your body reacts. If you notice redness, warmth around the incision, unusual swelling, drainage, or abnormal vaginal bleeding, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Alongside exercise and cleaning, protecting your scar from sun exposure is crucial.

Sun Protection

Exposure to UV rays during the early stages of healing can make scars more noticeable. Dr Teresa Safer, OBGYN with Banner – University Medicine, explains:

"Sun exposure can make scars darker and more noticeable"

To shield your scar from the sun:

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on the healed area.
• Cover the scar with clothing when outdoors.
• Avoid direct sunlight for the first few months after surgery.

These steps will help minimise discolouration and support better long-term healing.

Conclusion

Understanding the stages of recovery and available treatments can make a world of difference in navigating your healing process with confidence. Recovering from a C-section scar takes time, with the initial phase lasting around 6–8 weeks, but full scar maturation can extend over a year.

Lidder Therapies provides specialised scar massage therapy starting six weeks after surgery. Our approach focuses on easing connective tissue restrictions, improving scar mobility and appearance, supporting pelvic floor health, and restoring natural breathing patterns.

As one patient, Mrs RC, shared: "Everything was well explained and the appointment left me feeling reassured that my issues are curable with exercise and treatment."

While C-section scars are a permanent part of the healing journey, the right care and treatment can significantly enhance both their appearance and functionality. Lidder Therapies even offers a complimentary 5-minute consultation with an expert to assess your needs and provide tailored advice.

"We believe that no one should have to put up with pain or discomfort. We want to educate and empower you to live a healthy fulfilled life." – Lidder Therapies

FAQs

How can I reduce the risk of developing keloid or hypertrophic scars after a C-section?

To reduce the chances of developing keloid or hypertrophic scars after a C-section, there are a few effective measures you can take. One of the most recommended options is using silicone sheets or gels, as they are known to improve the texture of scars and help prevent raised areas. For optimal results, it's important to apply them consistently for at least 8–12 weeks post-surgery.

Make sure to keep the incision clean and dry, steer clear of tight clothing that could irritate the area, and avoid putting too much strain on the scar while it heals.

Taking these steps can go a long way in supporting your recovery and reducing the risk of abnormal scarring.

How can I safely start exercising to support my C-section scar recovery?

Safely Reintroducing Exercise After a C-Section

After a C-section, it’s important to ease back into exercise gradually and focus on gentle movements that support your recovery. Start with light activities like walking or pelvic floor exercises as soon as you feel ready - this is often within the first few days after surgery. These simple exercises can help boost circulation and support the healing process.

Once you’ve had your 6–8 week postnatal check and received the green light from your healthcare provider, you can begin incorporating low-impact activities like swimming, yoga, or pilates into your routine. However, it’s crucial to avoid high-impact or intense workouts until your body has fully healed. Pay close attention to how you feel - if you experience pain or discomfort, stop immediately and consult a healthcare professional for guidance.

What can I do if my C-section scar feels numb or itchy months after surgery?

It's quite normal to feel some numbness or itching around your C-section scar, even several months after the procedure. This typically happens as nerves heal or due to the development of scar tissue. Gently massaging the scar can encourage better blood flow and improve tissue flexibility, which may help ease these sensations. Additionally, keeping the area clean, opting for loose-fitting clothing, and applying a calming cream can offer some comfort.

However, if the itching or numbness doesn’t improve or gets worse, it’s a good idea to reach out to a healthcare professional. They can check for potential issues like nerve damage or adhesions and suggest suitable treatments. When in doubt about your symptoms, always consult an expert.