Is my salt and ice challenge scar permanent? I've tried everything to get rid of it (Photo)

Question

Unfortunately 2 months ago i attempted the salt and ice challenge on multiple places on my arm. And since then the scar has healed but is still extremely embarrassing. Ive hid it from my dad by wearing long sleeve for the past two months which has been extremely difficult. Doing the challenge is definitely the biggest regret of my life and it has given me depression, in the morning i don't want to get out of bed and at night i can't sleep.

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

Vincent P. Marin, MD, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately, you gave yourself a second-degree burn through the process. This normally results in some degree of scarring on the skin with or without some pigmentation. It is likely to not change much and there is little you can do to make the rest of this disappear. Additional laser treatments may help to reduce the appearance, however, this is likely to be minimal.

Is my salt and ice challenge scar permanent? I've tried everything to get rid of it (Photo)

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Is my salt and ice challenge scar permanent? I've tried everything to get rid of it (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.