Scars occur when the deeper layers of the skin are injured, whether due to disease, accident, burns or other causes. Scars consist of clumps of fibrous collagen tissue. Although they are a natural part of healing, severe scars are unsightly and of cosmetic concern for many people. While leg scars cannot be completely removed, the American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD, states that several treatment options are available for minimizing their appearance.
Step 1
Use an over-the-counter cream or gel to treat minor scars on your legs. Mederma gel contains onion extract and helps to get rid of leg scars by reducing inflammation and inhibiting the production of collagen inside the scar. Creams containing alpha-hydroxy acids can also help the appearance of leg scars by reducing redness and removing dead skin cells to improve the scar's texture. Over-the-counter scar treatments are effective up to 50 percent of the time, according to Columbia University.
Step 2
Try collagen fillers to elevate depressed scars to the level of surrounding skin. Another option is injecting your own fat into depressed scars in your legs. Filler injections are generally performed on an outpatient basis for immediate, but temporary, results, according to the AAD.
Step 3
Use pressure treatings or silicon gel sheeting to flatten raised leg scars. While you must continue these treatment options for several months and they are not effective for all scars, you can do them at home without the need for multiple office visits.
Step 4
Ask your doctor about steroid injections if your leg scar is protruding or itches. Steroid injections reduce redness and itching and stop collagen production to allow your scar to flatten over time. Your doctor may also try cutting away protruding scar tissue to make your leg scar less noticeable.
Step 5
Reduce the appearance of fine or pitted scars by undergoing dermabrasion, a procedure that uses a rotating brush to sand away the top layer of the skin. The American Society for Dermatological Surgery states that dermabrasion is mainly used for scars caused by acne, chicken pox, disease or injury.
Step 6
Undergo laser therapy to reduce the appearance of keloid, atrophic or hypertrophic leg scars. Laser scar removal therapy works by removing the top layer of skin from your leg to reveal a layer of healthier skin. It is effective for 50 to 80 percent of scars, according to the Consumer Guide for Plastic Surgery.
Step 7
Treat burns or depressed scars with a skin graft to minimize their appearance and raise their height to the level of the surrounding skin. During a skin graft, skin is taken from one area of your body, such as your buttocks, and transplanted to your leg.
Things You'll Need
- Mederma gel
- Over-the-counter alpha-hydroxy acid cream
References
- Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery: Laser Scar Removal -- Is it Right for You?
- American Society for Dermatological Surgery: Dermabrasion Information
- Columbia University, Go Ask Alice!: Embarrassing Scars - How Can I Get Rid of Them?
- American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Types of Scars and How to Minimize Their Visibility
- American Academy of Dermatology: What is a Scar
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