Scar Treatments

Our skin is a seamless organ protecting our body from infection. But throughout our lives, we all have experiences that injure our skin, leaving behind a scar. How you scar depends on many factors: the depth and size of your wound, your age, heredity, even your sex and ethnicity. There are four main types of scars and a variety of treatments can help reduce their size and appearance. In most cases we can significantly reduce the look of a scar but we cannot guarantee to remove it completely.

The four main types of scars:

• Keloid scars: These scars extend beyond the original injury site and become thickened, protruding from the skin. Depending where it is on the body, a keloid scar may affect mobility. Treatments include surgical scar removal or injections with steroids. Smaller keloids can be removed using cryotherapy (freezing therapy using liquid nitrogen). You can also prevent keloid formation by using pressure treatment or gel pads with silicone.

• Contracture scars: Contracture scars are generally caused by burns which cause tightening of skin that can impair your ability to move. Additionally, this type of scar may go deeper to affect muscles and nerves.

• Hypertrophic scars: Raised and red scars that are similar to keloids, but do not extend beyond the boundaries of the injury site. Possible treatments can include injections.

• Acne scars: If you’ve had severe acne, you probably have the scars to prove it. There are many types of acne scars, ranging from deep pits to scars that are angular or wavelike in appearance. Possible treatments will depend on the types of scars you have.

Treatments:
Fraxel Laser: Fraxel Laser remains the gold star standard  for removal of acne scars. It will improve even the worst of acne scars. Needling (see below) may be an option for less aggressive acne scars.

Laser surgery: Vascular (blood vessel) specific lasers may be used to lighten flat or raised scars that are pink to purple in color. Vascular laser treatment may also facilitate the flattening of raised, red scars.

Release of scar tissue: In some instances we are able to release scar tissue from beneath the scar and this may allow the skin to bounce back into it’s usual  position. In many cases this can provide significant improvement on its own, but the addition of dermal filler to the indent may improve this further.

Injections: In the case of protruding scars such as keloids or hypertrophic scars, we have obtained excellent results with the use of cortisone injections to shrink the scars. The injections need to be repeated over time and progress is slow but worthwhile. These injections can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other treatments.

Needling: Small scars may respond well to needling. A roller of needles is passed over the area to cause controlled damage and to allow nutrients to penetrate the skin and aid repair. Several treatments may be required and we can also provide a home use kit to enable you to supplement the clinc treatments with a home care regime.

Surgical scar removal: There are many options under this category, depending on your particular case, including skin grafts, excision or laser surgery. Dr Rosenbaum will discuss whether you will have local anesthesia with an oral sedative or general anesthesia. If you’ve recently undergone plastic, cosmetic, or other surgery that has caused your scars, it is best that you wait at least one year before making a decision about scar removal treatment. Many scars fade and become less noticeable over time.

For more information contact Australian Skin Clinics for an expert consultation.