Tags
facial scar, massage, massaging scars, my story, Nicole Ftacnik LMT CPNMT, personal story, scars
Because of a similar accident my husband recently had, I decided to go ahead and share the following story with you; an experience that devastated me a while back. Luckily, my husband felt and continues to feel much better about his situation than I originally did mine, due to him witnessing the wonderful effects that massage had on my facial scar.
FYI – This post does not have much to do with PNMT per se, but rather massage as a whole… So I hope you don’t mind.
Back in 2008, I cracked my forehead open while we were vacationing in the Dominican Republic. Ugh! Call me vain, but I was so sick to my stomach; automatically assuming I would need plastic surgery in the near future… And of all places, on my face.
(I can’t believe I am actually including the first two pictures in this post, but it’s important for me to show you how powerful massage truly is.)
Right after the accident and with stitches. Can you tell I had some serious crocodile tears?
Check out that gash! I know it could have been worse, but I’m a female and sometimes females worry about these things. 🙂
In order to get with a Plastic Surgeon as soon as possible, we headed back to the States early. The doctor we ended up scheduling with told me—in a surprised tone—that the resort’s doctor actually did a really good job stitching me up. Thank goodness, right?! He also said that because it was vertical and perpendicular to my lovely wrinkles, I would definitely need plastic surgery down the road.
Having just graduated from massage school shortly before, I asked him if he thought massaging the scar would help, and his response was “The only way to know for sure is to massage half of it, but I don’t think it will help regardless.” Ummm… Half? Seriously? Not gonna happen! Instead, I decided to ignore his statement and addressed the whole darn thing on my own.
Goofy distorted self-portrait two months later.
After the scab was completely gone, I massaged it multiple times a day in the very beginning; paying special attention to the scar-tissue that was forming in and around it. Sometimes I used medium pressure; other times I used deep pressure, basically to a point where the area was pretty tender the next day. When that was the case, I would take a day off or lightly rub down—towards my heart—to increase blood flow. On a few occasions, I used Vitamin E oil, but most of the time I didn’t need to because my face tends to be on the oily side as it is.
About two months ago.
Well, here I am today… Four years later, and you can hardly see my scar. I did not massage my scar daily this whole time, just for the first six or so months. Even then, I probably missed a day, or two or three, here and there.
All in all, massage in general, works some serious wonders in my book. If you ever have an accident—which I hope you don’t—and worry about potential scaring like I did, try giving massage a try. It’s less invasive and has the potential to save you a ton of money.
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“Neutral balance alignment is key to becoming pain-free” ~ Me
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Nicole K. Ftacnik, L.M.T., C.P.N.M.T. 
I recently got a facial scar that runs down to my eyebrow. What did you use for your scar? & how do you recommend I massage it? It’s been a 3 months since it happened to me. Am I to late?
Thank you so much for posting this. I cracked my forehead open last night and my cut looks just like yours.
Sorry to hear you cracked open your forehead, Kristine, and I hope all goes well.
How long did you massage the scar each time?
It’s been so long I can’t remember… Maybe 5-10 minutes each time.
I have a cut in my face 12 cm long 14 days ago by knife (about 25 stitches) left of my eye down to my Lip, scab is not completely gone yet.
How did you apply the massage? Is it circular or parallel or perpendicular message? Also I am using spectragel for scars, it’s sticky one and I can’t do message easily using it.
Hi Nicole. I wanted to let you know that your article helped me so much! I massaged my forehead scar twice a day for about 10-15 minutes. When I went for my follow-up 3 months later my plastic surgeon couldn’t believe how well I had healed. Everyone that sees it says it magically disappeared. I wouldn’t have known to massage the scar had I not read your article. It hasn’t even been 6 months and it is almost invisible. THANK YOU!
Hi Kristine. I am happy that you got great results after reading my post. Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Feel free to add before and after pics if you want, and if you have them. If you try, and you are not able, I would be happy to add them directly to the post.
How do I go about posting pics?
Sorry for the long delay in getting back with you. Not on here much and don’t recall getting a notification. Are you not able to add them to a comment?
Hi Nicole. I would like to add some photos of my before and after. How do I do that?
Hello. If you can’t attach them to a comment, you can email them to nicole@pnmtcincy.com and I will add them to the post.
Hi Nicole, after having recently sustained a similar injury your story has given me great hope of a decent recovery! Just wondering if there is any particulalr massaging method you used when massaging the scar (or just rubbing generally)? I have also been advised by a number of medicos that massaging with Rosehip oil is a good idea. Have you come across this? I’ve been advised to keep my scar covered (under tape basically) for six weeks, so I’m planning on massaging over that. Cheers and thanks for the post!
Hi Greg. So sorry for the ĂĽber long delay in replying to your questions… I’m not on here much anymore. Did you have any luck with massaging your scar?
Also – how long after you got your stitches out did you start massaging?
Hey, thanks for this. Recently cracked my head and it looks a little nasty. I had mine held together with glue, though. I don’t know if that helped or hindered the scarring but anyway, when the glue came off a couple days ago, it became obvious this is going to be indented. I’m going to start massaging it diligently (especially because it makes it feel better). hopefully my result will be as good as yours.
Hi,
I just cracked my forehead open last night, and is probably more devastated than I’ve ever been. I mean, my forehead – and I think that I am somewhat a pretty girl, but that’s not the case anymore I guess… Anyways, I was wondering! You were massaging your scar, but what other kinds of treatment was used? You know, any kind of laser, what so ever, treatment? Or just massage from the day the scab fell off and 6 months forward? And how long did it take from the day you cracked your forehead to the scar looked like it does now?
Thanks.
I’m glad massage worked for you. I got a bad cut on my forehead. It was wide, jagged, and down to the bone. I tried everything, including massage, and nothing has helped. My scar stretched out and looks disfiguring.
Essential oil (ex: lavander) + clay + a lof of vitamin C (natural)
Thank very much Nicole, my litle girl (4 years old) cracked her forehead yesterday and now she has 5 stitches, I was so scared. I found your post and it gives me tons of relief about the future scar. I am from Lima in Peru.
Thanks!!
You’re welcome, Edson. I hope all is going well with your daughter!
What a very wonderful story. Thank you for sharing. I will try this.
You’re welcome, Gavin. Good luck!
I’m going to try this as well; I had an accident about two weeks ago with a nasty cut above my eyebrow. I also have numbness and can’t feel much on that side of my forehead, if that matters. I’m not sure if this will help anyone else but I kept my wound moist with triple antibiotic (original formula) from walgreens for the first two weeks and now I am starting to keep it covered with vaseline (no added ingredients, such as fragrance) to protect it under my bandage. I was reading an article about a female boxer who cares for her scars in this manner and it seems to be helping mine. I also read somewhere that vitamin C and Beta Carotene can help. I am drinking a freshly cold-pressed, homemade grapefruit juice and carrot juice everyday. Thank you for sharing this story, it gives me hope that my scar will heal nicely.
Thank you for sharing! Recently had a very similar injury after being drugged at a bar and collapsing in bathroom. Cracked front and back of my head resulting in 8 staples and 8 sutures! This was just 2 weeks ago so my scar is just forming and pretty sore. I’ve been doing a little massage but like you, worries, “this is my face!!” I know it’s early on, and i completely relate to how you felt. It isn’t vain at all. You’ve healed so well and I hope to have the same great results. Time does heal all. 🙂
I’m in a similar situation as yours. I got 4 stitches on my forehead near glabellar lines from a bicycle accident about 8 weeks ago which is forming an indented healing scar. Do you mind sharing anything which worked for you guys? I’m using silicone gel and added massage to my routine for the last 3 weeks after landing on this page and reading these amazing stories. I have also started drinking collagen peptides. Sometimes it feels like I’m shooting in the dark.
Your results are amazing. Did you get those results by protecting it from the sun too or did you not worry about that? That is awesome you listened to your gut and messaged it.