Raised scars are the formation of excess scar tissue at the site of a wound due to injury or surgery. The two types of raised scars are called hypertrophic and keloid scars, and vary in appearance and size. Some raised scars fade in color and reduce in size over time without any specific medical treatment, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology--or AOCD. Other scars may require help in the form of medications and surgery in order to heal flatter.
Step 1
Help raised scars heal by applying physical pressure to the affected area. According to the AOCD, pressure bandages made from silicone gel or tape might help flatten the scars soon after the initial wound has healed. Pressure bandaging is the least invasive treatment used to heal a raised scar.
Step 2
Inject steroid medications directly into the scar to help it heal. The AOCD explains that injectable medications used on a monthly basis can reduce the size of hypertrophic and keloid scars in a matter of months. Hypertrophic scars are smaller than keloids and have a better success rate. Keloids may be more stubborn and could require more involved treatment methods.
Step 3
Undergo pulsed laser therapy to heal your raised scar. The intense light treatments can slow and prevent the growth of excess scar tissue associated with keloid scars, according to a study reported in a 1997 issue of "Lasers in Surgery and Medicine." Several laser sessions may be required to reduce the scar to an acceptable size.
Step 4
Opt for surgical treatment of raised keloids that become cumbersome or painful due to their size. Cryosurgery, the process of freezing the scar tissue with liquid nitrogen, may be appropriate for smaller scars on fair skin, as reported by Medline. Your doctor may recommend a dual process of first shrinking the scar with steroid injections and then proceeding to cryosurgery.
Invasive excision of raised scars is another option to heal the wounded area, but is not always a permanent fix. The AOCD reports that some people who have had scars excised later experience regrowth.
Things You'll Need
- Pressure bandages
- Steroid medications
- Laser treatments
- Surgery
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