How can I treat a hypertrophic scar after mole removal surgery? (Photo)

Question

Hello. I did a mole removal surgery in my left arm about 10 monthes ago, the doctor did 3 stitches and now I have hypertrophic scar when the mole and the stitches were. The scar was red and now the scar is red only in the middle , and the edges is white. The scar is not flat. Will it heal and become flat ?? Can I do something to treat it?

Rohit Seth, MD, MRCS(Ed), PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.
I feel that initially the stitches used should have been absorbable and kept under the skin. This is for two reasons. Firstly, any sutures under the head and neck generally tend to remain for longer than two weeks. This means if your stitches are removed before this time, the wound strength is not at its maximum level and therefore there is a higher chance of the scar stretching. Secondly, to keep stitches longer than two weeks, they should be buried under the skin, otherwise stitch marks remain.
Treatment options here are to treat conservatively to flatten and soften the scar. If this does not work then removing the scar and closing the wound with absorbable stitches is required. 
Conservative treatment involves massaging the scar regularly with vitamin E and C based creams that have positive scar healing components. Other treatments involve steroid injections into the scar to soften it and the use of silicone creams or topical dressings to help soften the scar. 
If despite this, the scar persists and is still quite obvious then removing the scar and closing the wound directly is required. The big disadvantage here is that the lesion is on your arm which is constantly moving therefore is at a higher risk of developing a hypertrophic scar no matter what you do. Using a absorbable suture (one that your body dissolves) is useful here and I would use one that has a long period of absorption which means by the time the stitch has completely dissolved, the wound strength is much greater.
I hope this is helpful for you 
Kind regards 
Rohit Seth 
Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hair transplant surgery

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office specializes in mole removal and scar revision. Treatments for hypertrophic scars include Plato's Scar Serum, IIT, laser therapy, and scar revision. I would begin with twice daily application of Plato's Scar Serum. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian

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