Will silicon gel sheets for scars work to help lighten them? (photo)

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Although the results of
scar therapy vary from person to person and scar to scar, the results are
considered permanent.

Not infrequently
potential patients avoid surgery because fear of an unsightly scar. To remedy
this, I now utilize and formulate compounded topical creams to treat, relieve
and minimize scars for each of my patients:

• new scars

• old scars

• surgical scars

• keloid scars

• stretch marks

• hypertrophic scars

• hyperpigmented (dark)
scars

• various acne scars,
and more...

These scar removal creams
contain prescription strength medications each individually known to reduce
and/or reverse the scarring process but never before compounded together into
one high potency formulation. These medications are added to a base of
anhydrous silicone (the most common ingredient in everyday topical scar
therapy) and Pracaxi oil, found in the Amazon rainforest and known for its
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Many
health insurance plans actually cover the cost of the creams and they can be
delivered directly to the patients door step. In other words, no need for
multiple trips to the doctor for expensive and painful laser treatments, or wasted
money on minimally effective over-the-counter topical scar therapy gels or
silicone sheets that are unsightly and/or fail to stay on. Instead, with just
two applications a day my patients now perform scar therapy in the comfort of
their own home.  Glad to help.

Steroid injections into these areas will make them worse and only increase the risk of more scarring.  You have a combination of pigmentation and scarring.  Those need to be treated independently.  Topical creams and peels for pigmentation and consider fractionated or radiofrequency laser for scars.  Nothing will improve these completely, if anything, you will get improvement but not cure. Seek a cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon with experience in scar and pigmentation treatment.  I have had some success using laser genesis on these, but it takes many treatments.  Nothing will be "curative" in one treatment unfortunately. I wish you the best, Dr. Emer.

The scar picture shows a scar which may be several months to several years old. I would begin with either topical scar gel or locally applied steroid medicine. If after a few months, the scar is not faded completely, then I would recommend a combination of laser resurfacing and photo therapy. The most stubborn scars can be surgically revised and then topical scar medicines would be used again. This is the most effective order to use to treat an unsightly scar. I hope this helps you!