The appearance of scars may begin to improve naturally after six to 18 months after formation, notes the American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD. No treatment can fully eliminate a scar, but they can be minimized. Sometimes topical applications, pressure therapy, injectable fillers or corticosteroid injections can help, but usually best results come from cosmetic or surgical procedures.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure for refinishing the outer layers of skin, most often on facial skin. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, and you may also be given a sedative. The surgeon uses an abrasive wire brush or similar implement to scrape or plane away the outermost layers of skin, explains the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, or ASPS. Dermabrasion takes a few minutes to half an hour, depending on the area of skin treated. Multiple sessions may be needed. Redness, swelling and discomfort are to be expected following the procedure, and pain medications may be prescribed. These effects generally last a few days to a few weeks. Possibly permanent discoloration may result, as may temporary whitehead breakouts and/or enlarged pores, infection and scarring.
Chemical Peel
Chemical peels remove layers of skin with a chemical application made from alpha hydroxy acids, trichloroacetic acid or phenol. The strength and depth of the peel depend on individual factors. Alpha hydroxy acids provide the mildest, most superficial peels. Trichloroacetic acid provides a moderate peel. Phenol is used for the strongest, deepest peels. Sedation may be administered, but anesthesia is not, as alpha hydroxy acid peels cause little pain and the other chemical agents function as anesthetics, explains ASPS. Peels take 10 to 15 minutes, sometimes requiring two or more sessions. Redness, irritation, crusting and sun sensitivity generally follow; infection and scarring may occur. Phenol peels often result in permanent loss of the ability to produce pigment in treated areas, necessitating sun protection and resulting in lighter areas of skin.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing uses pulsating beams of light to destroy layers of damaged skin. There are many types of lasers, and your plastic surgeon will advise you on which is best for your scars. A skin care regimen tailored to your skin is usually prescribed for up to six weeks in advance of the procedure, which may be performed in multiple sessions, each taking half an hour to two hours. Local anesthetic is used, as the procedure can be painful, though general anesthetic may be needed for extensive work, according to ASPS. Treated skin is dressed after the procedure, which can cause redness, itching, swelling, stinging, oozing blisters and peeling.
Surgical Scar Revision
Surgical scar revision cuts or punches out scarred skin and closes the wound with stitches and sometimes a skin graft, explains AAD. Multiple techniques are available, and more than one is sometimes used for one patient. Depending on the work needed, local or general anesthesia is administered, and you may also be sedated. The duration of surgical procedures varies depending on the scope of treatment. Follow-up treatments, including tapes, gels or pressure therapy may be needed, notes ASPS. Surgical procedures carry more risks than cosmetic procedures, including the risk of bleeding, infection, pain, delayed healing, anesthesia complications, changes in skin sensation, permanent skin irregularities, nerve damage and others.
Member Comments
MclainTrain June 10
Also- I found Dr. Blaine's complete scar care treatment works really well. I had a really ugly scar that is almost gone.:) It has a silicon gel-pad that you wear for 12 hours and then a liquid get that you apply for the rest of the day. I'm pretty sure you can buy it at Longs Drug/CVS for like $20. It's good stuff.