By keeping a wound dry and clean, you can improve the healing process. While it sounds simple enough, that isn’t always the case, especially with kids and especially in areas that are prone to exposure such as the face and hands. That said, do all you can to keep moisture and dirt away from the affected area to help promote healing. Here are some tips to help. Avoid Swimming and Long BathsLong periods underwater can cause scabs or soft new skin to fall off, thereby delaying the healing process. You should avoid long showers and baths. Same goes for swimming pools – at least until the wound is fully healed. Did you know that immersion in cold water for more than a minute or two slows down blood flow, which decreases healing time? Instead, take quick showers and pat the wound dry rather than scrubbing it vigorously. In some cases you may be able to cover a wound to keep it dry while under water. Keep the Wound CleanAn essential part of the healing process involves keeping your wound clean. As soon as a cut, burn or scrape occurs, gently wash the area with mild soap and warm water to get the germs and debris out. Cover with a bandage after applying bacitracin ointment. Change out the bandage daily with a fresh one. If you got stitches for the wound, find out from your doctor when to have them removed and how to care for them. Let the wound breathe at night and cover it up during the day, especially when you know it will be exposed to dirt. Those of us who are parents know how easily a wound can be worsened by hard playing kids who go outside and do what kids do. Protect the Scar Going ForwardAfter a wound heals you can make the scar it leaves behind less noticeable by applying topical gel products like Scarfade. Such products, especially those containing silicone, help reduce scarring. Certain silicones have been medically-proven to help regulate the production of collagen so the body doesn’t overproduce it, resulting in a buildup (scar). You can use Scarfade gel to improve the appearance of scars resulting from anything from cuts and burns to sports injuries and auto accident injuries. Apply sunscreen to a scar when going outside. UV rays can make scars more noticeable by causing them to become hyperpigmented. It is recommended that you use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30. For more information on how you can help wounds heal faster with minimal scarring, visit scarfade.com.