Scar Removal: Q&A
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How to Remove Scars?
i have lots of skin scars. what's best for getting rid of scars?
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21 Doctor Answers |
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anon
+6
Scar removal treatment depends on what scar looks like
If the scar is large, you may have to excise it first and then close it. If it is long you may need to close it in an irregular way to break up the line so that the brain doesn't notice it.
Your brain is more likely to notice a line that is over 7mm in length. Anything longer than that will need to be made irregular for the brain to not notice it as easily. Once the scar is thinner you can then use lasers to resurface the area to make it look better.
CO2 lasers are the best for this...
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Scar Treatments and Stretch Mark Removal
There are many kinds of scars. They can result from acne, infection, injury or surgery. While technically not scars, stretch marks, which may follow a rapid growth spurt during adolescence, pregnancy or prolonged overweight, possess some of the microscopic characteristics of scars and for that reason have been included here. Whatever their cause, all scars are by definition permanent. Happily, however, there are now a variety of successful approaches for improving the appearance of...
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+2
Skin scars
Scar revision is a broad topic, and unfortunately your question does not classify what type of scar you have in terms of location, depth, width, age, etc. A thorough evaluation is necessary. Among some of the options I can discuss with you are scar excision, rearrangement, shifting to a new location, sanding, lasering, and filling. Realize however that scars cannot be completely removed, only minimized. Many times the scar can be made quite negligible...
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Scar Revision- Dr. Prichard - Scottsdale, AZ
I got the scar on my right eye from an accident when i was 5 yrs old. It has always...
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Scar treatments
There is no way to "get rid" of scars. Scars are permanent. Scar revision can be considered for wide, depressed, or irregular scars with the goals of a narrower, smooth scar that is oriented within natural skin tension lines so it is less conspicuous. Topical treatments and laser treatments work best for discolored scars, to improve blending with surrounding skin. Many over the counter scar treatments do not have proven effectiveness. In the situation of new scars...
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Scars can be improved but not removed
Hi!
You have got to be realistic. When the skin is cut, there is going to be a permanent scar, which hopefully becomes inconspicuous with time.
In our plastic surgery practice in New York City, we have a whole protocol to PREVENT bad scarring. And there is exciting research for the future.
We have patients use a gel (Scarfade) after surgery.
But when there are existing noticeable scars, we work with a dermatologist, because laser treatments can be very helpful (different lasers for red...
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+2
Scar removal treatment depends
Hello,
The "removal of a scar" is a loaded concept. When you remove a scar you replace it with another scar. The idea is determining to what extent the removal technique will allow the result to be better than the current scar. The answer depends upon the scar and the conditions under which wounding occurred as well as the patient's capacity to heal.
See a plastic surgeon who brings expertise in scar revision and improvement and go from there. Some scars can be revised in the...
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Treatment for surgical scars
Surgical scars fall into two categories: acute and chronic. During the acute phase of scarring after surgery, the most effective treatments include keeping the scar clean and free of infection, massage, and topical application of wound healing creams. These creams will decrease inflammation and minimize pigmentation.
Chronic surgical scars may require scar revision with surgery, topical application of creams, use of silicone strips, massage, or injection of TAC. These should be discussed...
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5 ways to remove scars
Avoid sun exposure as the harmful rays can cause your scar to hyperpigment, or darken
Perform scar massage as directed by your physician. This usually involves rubbing the scar with a moisturizer with vitamin E oil in it to loosen up the scar tissue and make it feel softer
Avoid directly applying vitamin E oil as it can act as an irritant and cause dermatitis
Silicone gel or silicone strips purchased online or over the counter at most major pharmacies can help soften and flatten the...
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+2
If you have a history of bad scars, you must tell your...
If you have a history of bad scars, you must tell your surgeon. Ideally, your surgeon will use techniques to minimise scarring and place them in inconspicuous sites that won’t be too visible. After surgery, keeps scars away from sunshine until they have faded and moisturise scars regularly.
London Plastic Surgeon
+2
Again, there are many excellent products available; but...
Again, there are many excellent products available; but in general, I reserve the use of these products if there are any problems developing or any concerns regarding the normal healing process. Most scars will settle down and fade with time.
A couple of basic principles are moisturizing and massaging the scars to keep them soft and avoidance of direct sun exposure to any scars. Sunblock should be applied to scars even if they have covered with clothing, as the SPF factor of most clothing is...
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Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2
For the first ten days after surgery, keep the scar...
For the first ten days after surgery, keep the scar moist with bactroban antibiotic ointment. Then for the next six months, avoid sunlight and wear sunscreen.
+1
Scar removals
Scar treatments can be done by different technologies depending on why you have the scar and your skin type. Without a photo I am not sure what kind of scars you have. In general I use everything from creams to lasers to injections in various combinations and have had excellent results in minimizing scars. V-Beam lasers can be used on red scars and deeper scars may need injections with hyaluronic acid. Shallow scars may best be treated with Fraxel lasers. Be...
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Fraxel for Scars
Thank you for your question. At my practice, I have gotten excellent results for scarring with Fraxel. This treatment eliminates irregular skin discoloration, and stimulates new collagen production, tightening the skin without prolonged recovery. After a series of 2 to 4 Fraxel treatments, the cumulative cosmetic improvement is near more aggressive lasers, but unlike more aggressive lasers, redness and swelling eliminated within 2 to 4 days after each treatment. Fraxel is outstanding for...
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+1
Best method of scar revision depends on the scar itself!
Since there are many options for scar removal, the choice of the best suited treatment method is dictated by the type of scar, location, duration, cause and so on.
+1
Best Option for Improving Scars
The best option for improving scars is dependent upon a number of factors. What caused the scar? The location of the scar? Age of the scar? Treatments tried to date? The best option given the number of scars that you describe is to see a dermatologist or plastic surgeon and discuss what are the options available to you. No matter what is done; however, there is no way to "get rid" of scars. There are a number of ways to improve or soften scars so best to consult with an experienced...
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Scars and Treatments
Every scar has a different treatment based on the type of scar, pigmentation, length, location, etc. All scars can not be removed but can be improved so that they are harder to see.
Scars on the body are best handled by a specialist who deals with that area of the body, scars on the face are best dealt with by specialists who deal with faces.
+1
Scars can be improved - not removed
Any time you cut the skin, there will be a scar.
Any scar that penetrates the entire thickness of the skin is permanent.
If a scar is objectionable due to elevation, depression, excessive firmness, or excessive width, then revision of the scar may be worth while. However, scar revision cannot remove a scar--it can only improve it.
+1
Different treatments for different types of scars
Depending on the type of scars you have there are different types of treatments. Your question is too broad to address directly, but we are happy to review options generally.
Here are a few options for Indented scars, Surgical Scars, Acne scars, Facial Scars, Chicken Pox Scars:
CO2 Laser Resurfacing (acne, surgical, facial, chicken pox)
Erbium Laser Resurfacing (acne, facial, chicken pox)
Fractional Laser resurfacing (acne, surgical, facial, chicken pox)
Surgical Revision (indented,...
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Removing scars
There are all sorts of scars -- depressed scars, ice pick scars, hypertophic (elevated) scar, keloid scars, and discolored skin (hyperpigmented or hypopigmented or depigmented). Your dermatologist or plastic surgeon should assess the type of scar and then the treatment could be anything from subcision, to dermabrasion, to injecting cortisone into a thickened scar, or even cutting out a scar.
+1
Many options for scars
Whether a scar results from an accident or a previous surgery, for many people it is bit a badge of courage but an unsightly or even deforming mark. In 5 to 10 percent of people, scars become hypertrophied because of an overproduction of scar tissue, and in some cases a keloid develops, causing a scar to appear dark, thickened, and raised. It used to be that to get rid of a scar, doctors had to excise it surgically and resuture the wound in such a way as to minimize its appearance. But that...
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The best treatment for scars is avoiding scars in the first place
However, it is not always practical and scars from surgery typically heal better than scars from trauma. However, there are some treatments that can minimize the appearance of unsightly scars should they occur from surgery. The first is laser treatments with a pulsed dye or ktp or neodidium yag type of laser. They all seem to decrease the vascularity to the scar and hasten resolution. Occlusives like silicone gel or sheeting may help as well as mederma another topical agent. Steroid...
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