A C-section, also known as a caesarean delivery, is when a baby is delivered via an incision made into a woman's abdomen and through into her uterus, allowing access to the baby.
The number of women delivering by c-section continues to rise, and in 2021 caesarean sections accounting for 21% of all births. In some countries, such as Egypt, C-sections now outnumber vaginal deliveries. This is because some people believe a c-section is safer and less painful—while in fact, unless it's medically indicated because vaginal delivery poses a significant risk, the reverse is usually true.
A C-section incision and its resulting scar will be around four to six inches long. The incision is usually horizonal and below the bikini line. However, sometimes in an emergency C-section a vertical incision is made from the navel to the pubic line, giving quicker access to the baby.
The incisions will be closed using either staples, stitches, tape or glue. Staples and stitches are usually removed a week later.
The body repairs C-section incisions by producing collagen fibres to bind the skin together. Even after the wound appears closed, the body will continue to send collagen to the site, causing the scar to change shape and size. Factors such as genetics, age and medical conditions that affect the skin's resilience, such as Ehlers Danlos Syndromes, can affect scar severity.
The scar will be red at first but should fade over time. Scars on women with darker skin may fade to a white or brown line. Some c-section scars may become hypertrophic (raised and thick), making them more unsightly and sometimes more bothersome.
A study of 1000 women by OnePoll, in 2020, found that 80 per cent of those who had received a C-section felt embarrassed or sad at seeing their scar in the mirror.
Microneedling is a safe and effective treatment for some c-section scars. However, it's not suitable for raised scars. This is because it stimulates collagen production, and raised scars are formed by an overgrowth of collagen.
Microneedling is also not recommended if you are pregnant again, or immunosuppressed. It's not a suitable treatment if you suffer from eczema or psoriasis, or if you are taking anticoagulants. If you have rosacea, seek professional advice first. The suitability of microneedling may depend on the type of rosacea you have and what triggers it.
At your microneedling treatment, numbing cream will be applied to the scarred area. Then a microneedling device with fine needles (around 0.5mm–1mm long) will be moved over the scar, causing tiny wounds. This kickstarts the healing process, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin.
Collagen is the skin's scaffolding protein, giving it structure, plumpness and firmness, while elastin gives the skin its ability to stretch and 'bounce back' into its resting position.
Following a microneedling session the skin may become inflamed or even bruised, but this only lasts a few days at most. It can be reduced by drinking plenty of water in the days before your microneedling sessions. You should also avoid direct sunlight and strenuous exercise for a short time afterwards to give your skin time to heal.
Microneedling treatments are usually given around a month or six weeks apart. You should see improvements in the appearance of your c-section scar after a few treatments, although you may need several treatments for maximum benefit.
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