C-section scar care: helping it heal and managing discomfort

Postnatal recovery · Updated July 2026 · All articles

Your c-section scar is the entry point through which your baby came into the world. It is a significant wound, and the way it heals over the coming months can affect not just how it looks but how it feels, moves, and functions. Good scar care, started at the right time, can make a meaningful difference to all of these things. This guide covers what to expect at each stage of healing and what you can do to support the process.

How initial healing works: the first two weeks

A c-section wound is typically closed in layers. The internal layers of the uterus and the various layers of the abdominal wall are closed with dissolvable sutures. The skin itself is usually closed with dissolvable sutures just below the surface of the skin or, in some cases, with staples that are removed before discharge. A transparent adhesive dressing is applied on top.

In the first two weeks, the wound is in the inflammatory phase of healing. The body sends increased blood flow and immune cells to the site to begin rebuilding. The wound may look red, feel warm, and be tender. Some swelling around the scar is normal. The dressing will be removed at a postnatal visit or in hospital and, once it is off, the key instruction is to keep the wound clean and dry. Pat it gently after showering and avoid immersing it in water until it is fully healed at the surface.

The wound should not be actively reopening, producing unusual discharge, or becoming increasingly red and hot. If any of those things happen, contact your midwife or GP promptly as they are signs of possible infection.

How the scar matures: months to years

A c-section scar goes through a process of remodelling that continues for 12 to 18 months after surgery. After the initial healing phase, the scar enters a proliferative phase in which the body lays down new collagen to fill the wound. At this stage, the scar may be raised, firm, pink, or red, and can feel quite different to the surrounding skin.

From around three to six months, the remodelling phase begins. The collagen fibres that were laid down in a somewhat disorganised way start to reorganise and cross-link more effectively. The scar gradually softens, flattens, and lightens in colour. By 12 to 18 months, most scars have faded significantly and lie flat or nearly flat against the skin, though the final appearance varies considerably between people and is influenced by skin tone, genetics, and how the healing process went.

It is common for a small fold of skin, sometimes called the overhang or c-section shelf, to form above the scar. This is partly due to swelling and partly to how the skin and underlying tissue settles around the scar. It often reduces over the first year as healing progresses, but a small amount may remain permanently in some people.

Scar massage: when to start and how to do it

Scar massage is a gentle technique that can help to improve the flexibility, sensation, and appearance of a c-section scar. It is typically recommended from around six to eight weeks after surgery, once the skin surface has fully healed and there is no scabbing, open skin, or active infection. Do not start massage on an incompletely healed wound.

Before you begin, check that the scar feels stable and that touching it does not cause sharp pain. It is normal for the scar to feel a little sensitive or for the skin around it to feel numb, tight, or strange. These sensations often improve with regular massage.

To massage the scar, apply a small amount of oil or cream to your fingers. Vitamin E oil, coconut oil, and unscented body lotions are all commonly used, though the massage technique itself is what matters most, not the specific product. Using your fingertips, gently move the skin over the scar in small circular movements. Then try gently moving the skin horizontally side to side, and vertically up and down. You are not trying to press deeply or cause pain: the goal is to gradually encourage the scar tissue to become more mobile relative to the tissue underneath it.

Aim for about 5 minutes of massage daily or on most days. Consistency over several weeks is what produces results. Some people notice that the scar initially feels quite stuck, as though the skin is not moving freely over the layer beneath it. This is normal and often improves as adhesions loosen with massage.

Why massage helps: adhesions and mobility

An adhesion is an internal attachment where scar tissue has adhered to the tissue beneath or around it. After a c-section, adhesions can form between the scar and the underlying tissue layers, and occasionally between the uterus and the bladder or abdominal wall, particularly after multiple caesareans. Internal adhesions can sometimes cause a pulling or dragging sensation, discomfort, or, in more significant cases, problems with pelvic organ function.

Surface scar massage cannot directly treat deep internal adhesions, but it can help to maintain mobility of the scar tissue at the skin and fascia level. For deeper adhesion concerns, a women's health physiotherapist can use more specific techniques. If you have significant ongoing pulling, dragging, or pelvic pain at the scar site beyond the early recovery period, it is worth requesting a referral.

Itching and numbness: what is normal

Itching around the scar is very common in the weeks and months after surgery. It is caused by nerve regeneration: as the nerves that were cut or disturbed during the operation begin to regrow into the healing tissue, they produce sensations including itching, tingling, burning, and occasional sharp or shooting pains. These sensations can feel alarming if you are not expecting them, but they are a normal part of healing. They typically settle as the nerves complete their recovery, though this can take several months.

Numbness is also common and can affect quite a large area of skin around and below the scar, sometimes extending down towards the pubic area. This is because the nerve supply to that area of skin runs close to where the incision is made. For many people, sensation gradually returns over 6 to 12 months. For others, a small area of permanent numbness remains, which is harmless though occasionally annoying.

Silicone sheets and gels

Silicone-based scar products, including silicone gel sheets and topical silicone gels, have reasonable evidence supporting their use for improving the appearance of scars, particularly in people who are prone to raised or hypertrophic scarring. They work by providing a moist, occlusive environment over the scar that helps to regulate hydration and reduce collagen overproduction.

If you want to try silicone products, they are most effective when used consistently, typically for 12 hours a day over at least two to three months. They should only be applied to a fully healed wound surface. You can find silicone gel sheets and topical gels in pharmacies; they do not require a prescription. They are unlikely to cause harm if used correctly but are not essential for good healing.

Hypertrophic versus keloid scars

Some people are more prone to raised, thick scarring. A hypertrophic scar is one that is raised and firm but stays within the boundaries of the original incision. Hypertrophic scars often improve over time with massage and silicone products. A keloid scar grows beyond the boundaries of the wound and can continue to enlarge. Keloid scarring is more common in people with darker skin tones and has a genetic component. If your scar appears to be growing beyond the wound edges, particularly if it is itchy and continues to grow after the normal healing period, it is worth mentioning to your GP, as there are specialist treatments available including steroid injections and referral to a scar or plastic surgery service.

Your relationship with the scar

For some people, a c-section scar is simply a mark that heals and fades and is not given much further thought. For others, it carries significant emotional weight, particularly if the caesarean was unexpected, frightening, or felt like a loss of the birth they had hoped for. The scar can serve as a constant visible and physical reminder of that experience.

These feelings are valid and common. For some people, engaging in scar massage and learning about the healing process can be a positive way of building a relationship with the scar and taking agency over their own recovery. For others, the scar feels like something they need more support around. If you are finding the emotional aspects of your caesarean difficult, speaking to your midwife, health visitor, or GP is a good starting point. Many areas offer birth debrief services and there is specific psychological support available for people affected by traumatic birth experiences.

Frequently asked questions

When can I start scar massage after a c-section?

Scar massage is usually recommended from around 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, once the wound has fully closed and the surface skin has healed. Do not start massage while there is any open skin, discharge, or scabbing.

Why is scar massage recommended?

Scar massage helps to break down adhesions, which are internal attachments that can form between the scar tissue and underlying structures. It can also improve sensation, reduce tightness, and improve the appearance and flexibility of the scar over time.

Is it normal for a c-section scar to feel numb?

Yes. Numbness is very common because the nerves running through the area are cut during surgery. Sensation typically returns gradually over 6 to 12 months, though for some people a small area of permanent numbness remains.

Why does my c-section scar itch?

Itching is a normal part of scar healing and is caused by nerve regeneration. As nerves regrow into the healing scar tissue they can produce itching, tingling, and shooting sensations. This typically settles as healing progresses.

Do silicone sheets or gels help c-section scars?

There is reasonable evidence that silicone-based products can improve the appearance and texture of scars, particularly for people prone to raised scarring. They work best when used consistently, once the wound is fully closed.

What is the difference between a hypertrophic scar and a keloid scar?

A hypertrophic scar is raised and firm but stays within the boundaries of the original wound. A keloid scar grows beyond the wound edges. Keloid scars are more common in people with darker skin tones and may benefit from specialist scar treatment.

This article is for general information only. Always speak to your midwife, GP, or health visitor if you have concerns about your physical recovery after birth.