How can I get rid of the purple/red color scar that isn't raised? It doesn't hurt and it took a while to heal. (Photo)

Question

My dog's leash grazed my leg and it got infected so i went to the hospital. The doctors called it a laseration. the scar is a purple color but its not raised. the scar does not hurt and it took a while to heal. This happened around the end of june.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Appears as you stated a non sutured laceration that is hralin with wide spread scar. Reddness is sign of immaturity of the scar. Try local creams or silicone sheeting. Or aggressive micro needling sessions with PRP+hAFS Cell infusion (quite costly $3,500)

Omar Ibrahimi, MD, PhD · Answer

Your scar is red and erythematous which is characteristic of many new traumatic scars. This redness can be faded quickly with lasers. The redness might naturally fade also but over a much longer period of time (years) or may persist as is. If you are interested in having it fade faster, you can consider laser treatment. I recommend seeing a board certified dermatologist with expertise in lasers.

Michael E. Jones, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

This is a recent scar so it still needs time to heal. I think a scar treatment cream, such as Mederma or my own Keloid Care, can also help. Best of luck.

John Newkirk, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

When the skin is cut, whether sutured or not, it will take about one year until the scar that results is mature, or the way it will look for the remainder of the patient's life. Since only a month has elapsed, I suggest that you put sunblock on the area when it is likely to be exposed to the sun, and do nothing.

How can I get rid of the purple/red color scar that isn't raised? It doesn't hurt and it took a while to heal. (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Scar Needs To Heal

Answer: Scar Needs To Heal

Answer: Appearance of scar one month after unsutured laceration.

Answer: Appearance of scar one month after unsutured laceration.

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Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

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How can I get rid of the purple/red color scar that isn't raised? It doesn't hurt and it took a while to heal. (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Scar Needs To Heal

Answer: Scar Needs To Heal

Answer: Appearance of scar one month after unsutured laceration.

Answer: Appearance of scar one month after unsutured laceration.

Browse related questions

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.