Best treatment for inner thigh burn scars from laser.

Question

I was recently (nearly 3 months) burned badly over a large area on both inner thighs by Fractional laser - at the hands of a practitioner who didn't know what he was doing. I sustained full thickness burns. I know I need to wait 12 months for any substantial treatment but I am wondering what might be my best option to improve the scars in the mean time and thereafter. I suspect Fractional laser is the answer but I am understandably nervous about that option.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Lisa Jenks, MD · Answer

I do like Scar Recovery Gel by Skin Medica.  If used within the first 6 months or so after a wound, this does improve pigmentation and texture of scars.  I recommend using it twice daily.  After about 10 k- 12 months, you should then get a consultation with a physician who specializes in aesthetic medicine.  At that point, a plan can be made depending upon what the scar looks like.  It is obviously very important to see a reputable and experienced physician for any laser treatments.Best of luck to you.

John Louis Ratz, MD · Answer

At this point it is important not to have any aggressive treatment for your scars. Scar creams such as Mederma are costly and no more effective than massage alone. Scars respond to massage and the more you do this, the more your scars will improve, and you can use a simple moisturizer to do this. Another very helpful aid is silicone gel sheeting applied to the scarred areas and left in place for as much of the day as possible using tape or a wrap dressing such as Coban( a 3M product identical to 3M's Vet Wrap which is much less expensive than Coban). I want to emphasize that the silicone sheeting needs to be a gel. The solid forms of silicone just don't work as well as the gel forms. I hope this helps you.

Best treatment for inner thigh burn scars from laser.

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