Facial scars can be unsightly and often do little to encourage your self-esteem. Almost any type of skin condition or wound can leave a constant reminder in the form of scar tissue. Whether you have minor or severe scars, treatment options are available to reduce their appearance.
Causes
Facial scarring is often the result of a skin condition, such as acne. Moderate to severe burns and facial surgeries are other common causes of scars. Even a small cut or scrape can leave a scar if it penetrates through multiple skin layers. When the skin is injured, collagen beneath the skin's surface builds up to form a protective layer and heal the injury, which results in visible scar tissue.
At-Home Treatment
You can reduce the appearance of many types of facial scars without medical treatment. Keeping constant pressure on raised scars can help flatten them out and make them less noticeable. Several companies, including Curad and Scar Fx, manufacture special bandages specifically for scar treatment. Keep your scars protected from the sun because ultraviolet rays can make them more noticeable. If you must be outside in direct sunlight, use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Over-the-counter scar creams and lotions may help minimize the appearance of light-colored or small scars.
Medical Treatment
Medical and cosmetic treatment can significantly reduce the appearance of facial scars, including old scars. Chemical peels and dermabrasion treatments can make many facial scars less noticeable. Typically, the larger, darker and deeper the scar is, the more treatment sessions will be required to notice a significant difference. Laser skin resurfacing removes the outer layer of skin and stimulates collagen growth in the deeper layers of skin. These treatments allow new, healthy skin to grow in over the wound left behind by the laser treatment. Burn scars that cover a large portion of the face may require several cosmetic procedures, including skin grafts, to minimize their appearance. Large keloid scars can be minimized with steroid injections, at which point your doctor or surgeon may be able to surgically remove the scar.
Considerations
Many scars gradually fade over time with no treatment at all. Medical procedures to lighten or remove scars can be costly and may require months of sessions to see marked improvement. Although health insurance companies may pay for some or all of the treatment for disfiguring scars, most do not cover purely cosmetic procedures. A scar that is raised, painful, red or itchy can be a sign of an infection or an allergic reaction to a topical cream or medication. Seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms. Talk with your doctor or dermatologist about your concerns so you can choose the treatment method best for your particular situation.
Prevention
Keep facial wounds covered with a bandage and treat them with antibiotic ointment daily until a scab forms and new skin begins to form. Leaving an open wound uncovered can delay healing by as much as 50 percent and increase the chance of scarring, warns Dr. David J. Leffell, professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. Clean fresh wounds with mild soap and warm water. Do not swab them with hydrogen peroxide because doing so may hinder the growth of new skin cells. When new skin begins to form, gently massage the surface for 15 to 30 seconds several times a day to break down thick bands of collagen that lead to scars. Do not pick or pop acne pustules, pimples or blackheads because doing so increases the risk of scars.
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