Do stitch marks/railroad tracks go away?

Question

I had a scar revision done from a botched mole removal, to remove dog ear and depressed scar. I had stitches removed day 6 and there are railroad track marks. Do these go away? Is it from the thread pushing down on the skin for a week and now that stitches are out it will go back to normal or could this lead to a scar?

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

Thomas P. Sterry, MD · Answer

You are probably fine.  I wouldn't stress too much about it.  Typically, we remove sutures around day 5 to prevent permanent marks like train tracks from the stitches themselves, but day 6 is really fine too.  I recommend supporting the scar with some kind of adhesive tape at this point and would start a silicone gel by the 3 week mark.Good Luck!

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

It sounds like you have nothing to worry about. If the sutures were in only six days, then the lines should go away. Railroad tracks occur when sutures are left in a long time. I recommend that you massage the scar with moisturizer daily and use one of the over the counter scar creams. Also don't let the new scar see strong sun for a whole year. See link below for more info on scar care.

Bobby Buka, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

This question
relates to a scar revision removing persistent Burow's triangles, also known as
‘dog ears,’ and an atrophic depressed scar. Railroad track marks appeared after
the removal of sutures. - Will these go away?

Puncture marks
from needle insertion during the suturing will fade over time. However, they may
not fully go away. While I think the appearance of these puncture marks will
improve, I am not confident they will disappear entirely.

Puncture marks,
or railroad track marks, are not caused by the thread pushing down on the skin.
Rather, these marks are caused by the needle punctures during suturing. One can
avoid these marks by performing a subcuticular stitch. The suture sneaks through, underneath the epidermis,
and closes the wound. A subcuticular stitch closes the wound without the
appearance percutaneous puncture marks.

The puncture
marks may fade, or may remain. To avoid additional railroad marks, a subcuticular
stitch can be performed.

Do stitch marks/railroad tracks go away?

Answers (4)

Answer: Suture Timing

Answer: Suture Timing

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Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

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Do stitch marks/railroad tracks go away?

Answers (4)

Answer: Suture Timing

Answer: Suture Timing

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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.