Scar revision/blending/treatment? What options are there? (Photo)

Question

I have these scars on my chest from breaking out during COVID. I worked in ICU and it started after we began wearing the green scrubs, not sure if the fabric or detergent kicked it off but that coupled with PPE containing heat & moisture it was nightmare. I just want them blended and not so obvious. What options are there?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

At least from the one photo provided, and with the history of the problem starting from heat and sweating, etc. you would be wise to consult with an experienced board certified cosmetic dermatologist to make sure that you are not suffering from a fairly common yeast infection, known as tinea versicolor, which, as the name implies can come in many colors, including hypopigmented macules that can cover the chest, back, etc. If this should prove in the end to be hypopigmented scars, they can be treated with professional manual microneedling (no need for the added expense and risks of RF microneedling) accompanied by the application of pigment enhancing prescription topicals, such as tyrosine and lanatoprost). Hope this helps and best of luck.

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