What can be done to minimize the appearance of scarring at piercing site? (photo)

Question

Looks like scarring (in the shape of an x) through both piercing locations.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Minimizing the appearance of scarring at a piercing site can be approached through a combination of proper wound care, topical treatments, and medical interventions. Here are some strategies:

Immediate and Ongoing Care
1. **Keep the Area Clean**: Clean the piercing site with a saline solution or a mild antiseptic regularly to prevent infection, which can worsen scarring.
2. **Avoid Trauma**: Be gentle with the area. Avoid excessive movement, pressure, or friction that could irritate the piercing site and exacerbate scarring.
3. **Moisturize**: Apply a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep the skin supple and promote healing.

Topical Treatments
1. **Silicone Gel Sheets or Scar Creams**: These can help flatten and reduce the appearance of scars. Silicone sheets or gels should be applied consistently over several months for the best results.
2. **Vitamin E Oil**: While evidence is mixed, some people find that applying vitamin E oil can help improve the appearance of scars.
3. **Over-the-Counter Scar Treatments**: Products containing ingredients like onion extract (found in products like Mederma) can sometimes help to reduce scar visibility.

Medical Treatments
1. **Corticosteroid Injections**: If the scar is raised (hypertrophic or keloid), a doctor might recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and flatten the scar.
2. **Laser Therapy**: Laser treatments can help to reduce redness and improve the texture of the scar tissue.
3. **Microneedling**: This procedure involves small needles that puncture the skin to stimulate collagen production and improve the appearance of scars.
4. **Chemical Peels**: These can help to resurface the skin and reduce the visibility of superficial scars.
5. **Surgical Revision**: In some cases, a minor surgical procedure to excise the scar might be considered, especially if it's significantly impacting appearance or function.

General Tips
1. **Avoid Sun Exposure**: Protect the scar from sun exposure as UV rays can darken the scar tissue, making it more noticeable. Use sunscreen or cover the area with clothing.
2. **Healthy Lifestyle**: Maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support skin healing. Stay hydrated and avoid smoking, which can impair healing.

Regular follow-up with a healthcare provider, particularly a dermatologist, can ensure that the scar is healing properly and that any complications are addressed promptly.

It's important to note that the effectiveness of these treatments can vary based on individual skin types and the nature of the scar. Consulting with a healthcare professional can provide personalized recommendations and treatment options.

Chet Mays, MD · Answer

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.

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

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What can be done to minimize the appearance of scarring at piercing site? (photo)

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