Scar Treatment Options and Its Types

Are you embarrassed/worried by your scar?

Self-conscious when it comes to being in public?

Remember that scars can be treated, and Let us help you understand various treatments around the different types of scars. The scar is essential to healing as the body repairs and heals damaged tissues due to an injury, burn, incision or accident. Depending upon the size, shape, and location of the scar, the healing process may vary, resulting in different types of scars:

1. Keloid scar:- A raised scar that can hamper movement. Surgery is the recommended treatment. Small keloid scars can be healed by cryotherapy, but large keloid scars need surgery. You should consult a dermatologist, especially in case of skin wounds, as in the initial stages, ointments can help prevent its formation.
2. Contracture scars:- Skin burns show these scars, which cause the skin to tighten, impairing mobility as burn injury affects underlying muscles and nerves.
3. Hypertrophic scar:- A raised scar that does not extend beyond the injury.
4. Acne scars:- Occur from severe acne and are usually seen as deep pits or indentations on the skin. They are so deep on the skin and are not easy to remove. These acne scars can occur in any part of the body. Acne scars damage the tissue level in the long term, and even skin tone colour changes.

Various treatments can help make the scars less noticeable, and at times combinations of treatments may be advised by your dermatologist.

• Pressure therapy:- Using an elastic bandage/stocking during the healing process helps prevent and reduce scarring, particularly keloid scarring. You need to wear it for at least a year with a renewal of pressure dressing every 2 to 3 months to achieve good results.
• Silicone gel:- Silicone gel helps treat raised scars reducing their size, redness, and swelling. It is a safe and effective treatment for different types of scars, like hypertrophic and keloid scars, and is easy to apply and cosmetically acceptable.
• Laser scar removal:- The laser works by using laser energy to penetrate the deep skin, stimulating collagen production, and providing a smooth contour.

• Scar revision surgery: it helps to improve the appearance of the scar, bringing back the movements restricted by the scar. It is done under local anaesthesia and is less painful.
• Chemical peels: strong chemical agents are used to remove the uppermost skin layer with scars. They are best for all skin types.
• Dermabrasion: The most effective treatment for scars. It is used to deeply exfoliate the top layer of the skin. It is best for shallow or boxing scars but not for deeper scars.

Microdermabrasion is also used, which is a much less invasive form of dermabrasion and is minimally useful for very superficial scars.

• Laser resurfacing: It shows immediate and effective treatment and faster healing. But in this treatment, you have to cover your scar areas with bandages after treatment.

This procedure is somewhat similar to dermabrasion, which removes the skin’s surface layers using different types of lasers. New types of lasers can achieve more subtle results by working on the collagen in the dermis without removing the upper layers of skin.

Apart from cosmetic reasons and physical suffering, scars might give you unhealthy reminders of the injury, which is not good for your mental health. Always remember that all these methods do not apply to everyone and the suggestion of a dermatologist is highly essential before undergoing these treatments.

Let your life be scar-free!!!