What can can be done to minimize the appearance of 5 month old steroid injection scar? (photos)

Thank you for your inquiry! Scar creams can be used on scars to minimize appearance as well as silicone scar sheets. Lasers such as Microneedling can also be performed to minimize appearance as well. We would love to see you in person or virtually to discuss treatment options or schedule a consult with a licensed aesthetician.

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

Steroid injections can sometimes lead to skin atrophy and changes in the skin's color or texture. Here are some options that may help improve the appearance of your scar:
1) Topical Treatments: Silicone sheets or gels can help to reduce redness and improve the texture of scars. Vitamin E oil and certain creams or ointments containing ingredients like onion extract may also be beneficial.
2) Laser Therapy: Different types of lasers can be used to minimize the redness and improve the texture of scars. Pulsed dye lasers are often used to reduce redness, while fractional lasers can help to smooth the texture of the scar.
3) Fillers: If the scar is depressed due to atrophy, injectable fillers can be used to raise it to the level of the surrounding skin. This can make the scar less noticeable.
4) Microneedling: This involves using tiny needles to create controlled injuries to the skin, which can stimulate the production of collagen and help to improve the texture of the scar.
5) Surgery: In some cases, a scar revision surgery may be considered. This involves removing the scar and re-closing the wound, often in a different direction that can make the scar less noticeable.
6) Makeup: Cosmetic products specifically designed to cover scars can be a useful adjunct to other treatments.
It's important to consult with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to discuss these options and decide on the most appropriate treatment plan for your particular scar. Keep in mind that while these treatments can improve the appearance of scars, they may not be able to make them completely invisible.