My neck scar is 4" long and it pooches out all the way across. This is a fairly new incision but everyone else's is just a flat line even in the beginning. What are my options for flattening it and making it blend in with the rest of my skin? Which procedure would best address this scar?
Answer: Thick Thyroid Scars - Keloid, Hypertrophic Scar, Neck Scars. Options for Treatment of Neck Scars
Neck scars are unpredictable. In some cases, the scars heal as a thin line while in other cases, they may be extremely thickened.
The goals of therapy are to modulate the scar early on in order to decrease the chance of it thickening. This is accomplished by rigorous massage in the early postoperative period. Other options include application of silicone sheeting, injection of cortisone, and ultimately, reexcision of the scar.
One of the reasons why neck scars do not heal as well is because we cannot completely immobilize the neck during the healing phase. Thus, the body deposits more collagen in the area in order to prevent the incision line from dehiscing.
If you have a poorly healed scar, consider speaking to a plastic surgeon about your options as discussed above. You are always welcome to email our office if you have specific questions.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Thick Thyroid Scars - Keloid, Hypertrophic Scar, Neck Scars. Options for Treatment of Neck Scars
Neck scars are unpredictable. In some cases, the scars heal as a thin line while in other cases, they may be extremely thickened.
The goals of therapy are to modulate the scar early on in order to decrease the chance of it thickening. This is accomplished by rigorous massage in the early postoperative period. Other options include application of silicone sheeting, injection of cortisone, and ultimately, reexcision of the scar.
One of the reasons why neck scars do not heal as well is because we cannot completely immobilize the neck during the healing phase. Thus, the body deposits more collagen in the area in order to prevent the incision line from dehiscing.
If you have a poorly healed scar, consider speaking to a plastic surgeon about your options as discussed above. You are always welcome to email our office if you have specific questions.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Thyroid scar Unless there is an obvious step off between the two skin edges, I would wait before considering any revision surgery. I would, however, recommend the use of lasers to tone the scar down and make it more subtle during the healing process. I would start as soon as a few weeks after surgery and repeat every four to six weeks until the scar is nice and subtle. I would also recommend Embrace dressing for the first six weeks after surgery and then follow this with a regular silicone dressing.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Thyroid scar Unless there is an obvious step off between the two skin edges, I would wait before considering any revision surgery. I would, however, recommend the use of lasers to tone the scar down and make it more subtle during the healing process. I would start as soon as a few weeks after surgery and repeat every four to six weeks until the scar is nice and subtle. I would also recommend Embrace dressing for the first six weeks after surgery and then follow this with a regular silicone dressing.
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September 3, 2009
Answer: Treatment of thyroid surgery scars Most raised thyroid scars flatten over time. However, there is some interval treatment that can be done to help it heal more flat if it doesn't appear to be doing it on its own. There are two over the counter preparations available, one is mederma and another is scar guard. There are generic ones also that might be effective. I would begin using those products once the scar is healed and follow the directions on the package. Other treatments might include the use of laser or intense pulsed light devices to diminish the redness which will also help the scars to flatten over time. Injections of Kenalog by your doctor may also assist the process. Finally, if after six months to a year the scar is not acceptable it can be surgically revised.
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CONTACT NOW September 3, 2009
Answer: Treatment of thyroid surgery scars Most raised thyroid scars flatten over time. However, there is some interval treatment that can be done to help it heal more flat if it doesn't appear to be doing it on its own. There are two over the counter preparations available, one is mederma and another is scar guard. There are generic ones also that might be effective. I would begin using those products once the scar is healed and follow the directions on the package. Other treatments might include the use of laser or intense pulsed light devices to diminish the redness which will also help the scars to flatten over time. Injections of Kenalog by your doctor may also assist the process. Finally, if after six months to a year the scar is not acceptable it can be surgically revised.
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TREATMENT FOR YOU
May 21, 2009
Answer: There are many options but persistence is a key Scars sometimes have a tendency to come back. Your scar is noticeable given the size and discoloration. It is hard to tell if it is red. Early on, the redness can be improved with IPL or a vascular laser. This will decrease some of the inflammation within the scar. Steroids can do the same as well cause the scar to shrinken a little. You look young and what that tells me is that you are more likely to form more exuberant scar formation and inflammation. This may hinder your healing for a while until you get older. Ways to improve the scar include re-exision and closing the straight line closure that you have with a geometric type of configuration to break up the straight line that people pick up on. Laser resurfacing in a very conservative fashion can also help. After closing the incision you may consider having steroids injected in a repeated fashion along with topical steroids.
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CONTACT NOW May 21, 2009
Answer: There are many options but persistence is a key Scars sometimes have a tendency to come back. Your scar is noticeable given the size and discoloration. It is hard to tell if it is red. Early on, the redness can be improved with IPL or a vascular laser. This will decrease some of the inflammation within the scar. Steroids can do the same as well cause the scar to shrinken a little. You look young and what that tells me is that you are more likely to form more exuberant scar formation and inflammation. This may hinder your healing for a while until you get older. Ways to improve the scar include re-exision and closing the straight line closure that you have with a geometric type of configuration to break up the straight line that people pick up on. Laser resurfacing in a very conservative fashion can also help. After closing the incision you may consider having steroids injected in a repeated fashion along with topical steroids.
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December 3, 2008
Answer: Time can be an important component I agree with everything Dr. Wallach has said. In addition there may be a role for a tincture of time. Scars typically take 6 months to fully mature. During that time the body constantly remodels them, changing concentrations of collagen and remodeling the scar structure. Sometimes acting with steroids or additional surgical intervention before the scar has had a chance to mature can cause additional problems. I hope this helps. Steven Williams, MD
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Answer: Time can be an important component I agree with everything Dr. Wallach has said. In addition there may be a role for a tincture of time. Scars typically take 6 months to fully mature. During that time the body constantly remodels them, changing concentrations of collagen and remodeling the scar structure. Sometimes acting with steroids or additional surgical intervention before the scar has had a chance to mature can cause additional problems. I hope this helps. Steven Williams, MD
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