How do I care for my C-section scar?

Last reviewed June 19, 2026 by Dr. Sapna Jadhav, General Physician. Sources from ACOG, NHS, Mayo Clinic, CDC, NICE, NIH, Cochrane, and peer-reviewed journals.

Bottom lineCare for a C-section scar by keeping it clean and dry, wearing loose clothing, and watching for infection; once healed, gentle massage and sun protection help, and the scar fades and flattens over the first year.

Care for your C-section scar by keeping it clean and dry while it heals, watching for signs of infection, and being gentle with it. Over the following months the scar softens and fades.

In the first weeks

• Keep it clean and dry: Gently wash with water and pat dry; avoid harsh soaps and scrubbing.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and cotton underwear that doesn't rub the wound.
• Let air get to it when you can.
• Watch for infection: increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pain, or discharge, or a fever.

As it heals

• Once fully healed, you can gently massage the scar (if your provider agrees) to keep tissue supple.
• Protect the scar from the sun, which can darken it.
• Numbness, itching, or tightness around the scar is common and usually eases over months.

Long term

The scar fades and flattens over the first year or so, though it won't disappear completely. If it becomes raised, thick, or very itchy (a keloid or hypertrophic scar), your provider can suggest treatments.

When to seek help

Contact your provider for signs of infection, a wound that reopens, or a scar that's painful or changing in a way that worries you.

Femora helps you track healing and note any wound changes after a C-section.