Opinion on gash on bridge of nose from accident & how to prevent scarring?

Question

I had an accident yesterday with a heavy window landing on bridge of nose and causing gash. ER treated it with dermabond as I did not want them doing stitches. I want to prevent scarring, is there something else I can do?They just said not to get it wet for 24 hrs and it will come off in like 3-5 days, use suncreen and all cuts will have a scar. It looks to me like it will leave scar and would like to try to not have scar between my eyes, not sure if I should do something else now. Thank you.

Chet Mays, MD · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry! Scar creams can be used on scars to minimize appearance as well as silicone scar sheets. Lasers such as Microneedling can also be performed to minimize appearance as well. We would love to see you in person or virtually to discuss treatment options or schedule a consult with a licensed aesthetician.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Back already in the late 1980s it was known that the ideal window of time for treating a wound in order to prevent or significantly minimize scarring was between the end of week four after the injury (or infection or surgery) to the end of week 12 (after which the scar is considered a "mature" scar) after which the likelihood for completely erasing the scar is significantly lower. This was in contrast to the previous recommendation to wait a year until the scar matures and then consider doing something about it. At the end of four weeks following injury, the wound is strong enough to withstand some kind of treatment and after twelve weeks the site is considered "mature" and the chances for complete erasure using any treatment modality or combination of treatments is significantly less. 
So, for now, the use of plain Vaseline or Aquaphor applied a couple of times a day until the wound completely heals would be a very reasonable approach and to consider consulting with a board certified cosmetic dermatologist scar treatment expert as soon after the four week point as possible. I have not found silicone patches, gels, etc. to be particularly effective.
Not long ago, I treated a patient with a deep horizontal cat scratch across the base of his nose, which had occurred five weeks earlier. Today, he has no visible mark on his nose at all. 
Hope this helps and best of luck.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

It looks like the scar was not sutured, so you may still have a gap in the normal skin. Despite this, you can optimize the scar by fractional laser, application of Plato's Scar Serum in the healing phase until scar equilibrium is reached. Vbeam is another great option in the early phase of healing.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. It's understandable to be concerned about scarring, especially on the face. Here are some general recommendations that may help minimize scarring:

Keep the Area Clean and Moisturized: Once the Dermabond has naturally fallen off, keep the area clean and apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to help the skin heal.

Use Sunscreen: Protecting the area from the sun is crucial. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to prevent the scar from darkening and becoming more noticeable.

Consider Silicone Gel or Sheets: Once the wound has healed, you might consider using silicone gel or silicone sheets, which are known to help reduce and flatten scars over time.

Avoid Picking at the Wound: Let the Dermabond fall off naturally and avoid picking at any scabs that may form, as this can increase the risk of scarring.

Consult a Dermatologist: If you are concerned about the potential for scarring or if the wound does not seem to be healing well, consider consulting a dermatologist for personalized advice. They may recommend treatments such as laser therapy or topical treatments to improve the appearance of the scar.

Stay Hydrated and Maintain a Healthy Diet: Proper nutrition and hydration can support the body's natural healing processes.

Remember, every individual's skin heals differently, and some scarring is often inevitable. However, taking these steps can help minimize its appearance.

Opinion on gash on bridge of nose from accident & how to prevent scarring?

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