My daughters face was scratched by fingernails in several places on her cheek. What would you recommend for Scar removal?

Question

A year later the marks are still visible. She has pale skin and they show up bad when she is flushed. What treatments are available to improve there appearance. She is 8 years old. We are in the uk so it is hard to get her seen by a dermatologist.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I suggest posting photos for us to give you a better opinion on treatments or make an in person consultation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Ensure you seek the advice of a dermatologist that specializes in all the treatments for scars.  These include laser resurfacing, subcision, fillers, radiofrequency/sublative, microneedling/PRP and even some small surgical procedures.  There are many ways to get improvement you just want to ensure you go to an expert.  Best, Dr. Emer.Victor,

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Michael H. Gold, MD · Answer

I am sorry that this
has happened and that the lesions are still there a year later. Even in the UK,
there are specialist dermatologists and pediatric dermatologists so I would
recommend that you make an appointment, even out of the national health care,
and get her evaluated. Over the years I have seen several cases like this and
we like to start treatment with the simplest and easiest therapies. We can use
Mederma in the US (which can do some good here) or a product with silicone gel
in it, which we have studied in scars for over 20 years – and a great deal of
the work that I did over the years was done in conjunction with Smith &
Nephew in Hull. Other therapies can also be done, including the use of the
pulsed dye laser or one of the newer fractional lasers – but I would start with
topical therapies and move to lasers only if the others do not work over time.

My daughters face was scratched by fingernails in several places on her cheek. What would you recommend for Scar removal?

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My daughters face was scratched by fingernails in several places on her cheek. What would you recommend for Scar removal?

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

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