Remedies To Get Rid Of Scars

Scars are a common skin problem that occur when skin are damaged in such a way that the tissue is unable to heal itself correctly. When scars are small or on less noticeable areas of the body they may not pose an issue. However, when large scars occur on more prominent areas of the body, such as the face or neck, there are several remedies available to help lessen the appearance of the unsightly scar.

Creams

One of the most accessible options for relieving scars are over the counter and prescription creams, such as retinoids. Retinoids are a form of vitamin A, that when applied to the face alter the rate in which skin cells shed. As cells are sloughed from the scar-affected skin, new smoother cells are revealed leading to a reduced appearance of the scar. Common retinoids used for scar treatment include tretinoin, adapalene and tazarotene, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Dermatologist CosmeticsTreatments

Your dermatologist may also be able to perform one or more cosmetic treatment, such as dermabrasion or chemical peels, to help remedy problem scars. Demrabrasion and the less invasive microdermabrasion use abrasive materials to sand down and remove scar tissue. Chemical peels use specialized chemicals, such as phenol or hydroxy acids to detach the outer layer of scar tissue from the face, causing it to peel. In both dermabrasion and chemical peels, the new skin growth helps reduce the appearance of scar tissue. New skin growth can take up to two weeks to appear, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Injections

Injectable dermal fillers can also be used to help remedy scars, especially deep-pitted scars such as "ice pick" or "box car" scars. Dermal fillers, such as collagen or hyaluronic acid, are injected directly into the affected scar tissue. The filler plumps up the skin making it even with the surrounding tissue, lessening the appearance of the scar.

Laser Treatment

Laser resurfacing is a relatively newer development in the scar treatment market. Laser treatments utilize specialized laser technology that creates specific wavelengths of laser light capable of incinerating the outer layer of scar affected skin tissue. As new skin tissue grows, the appearance of the scar is reduced. Two types of laser treatments are available, ablative laser treatments which require downtime for healing, and non-ablative treatment which do not require downtime, according to the AAD.

Surgical Intervention

For serious scars surgical intervention may be needed in order to remedy the scarred tissue. For example, a punch excision can be used to remove the entire scar, allowing new less noticeable scar tissue to form in its place as the excision heals. For deep pitted scars, punch elevations and punch grafts can be used to raise the affected tissue even with the surrounding tissue to reduce the appearance of the scar.