Non-surgical treatment · Toronto
Five Best Ways to Treat Scars
Scars are usually reminders of wounds we have endured.
Although scars can be annoying, especially if they’re facial scars, they indicate that healing has taken place. Open wounds that don’t heal can be painful, require continual care, and are always at risk of infection. Scars fall into one of two categories: indented scars, known as atrophic, and raised scars, known as hypertrophic. Although the treatment of scars is very specific, depending on what type of scars they are and where they are located, there are some do’s and don’ts that apply to every scar.
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- MD, PhDUniversity of Toronto
- Yorkville59 Hayden St, Toronto
Do Not Pick The Area With Your Finger
Treatment Options
Whenever a wound occurs, expose it to as much air as possible. Oxygen is necessary to coagulate the blood and aid in the healing process. Lathering on thick layers of cream or ointment retard our skin’s natural healing ability. Once a fresh layer of skin has formed over the wound, a thin layer of cream can be applied. Above all else, do not pick the area with your finger . . . no matter how much it itches. This causes an even deeper wound, and the healing process must begin again. It is very important to allow wounds to heal thoroughly before touching them.
Once a wound has healed, it will be scarred if the dermis (underlying skin tissue) has been damaged. Scars can be irritating because they are often itchy, sensitive, and pull on the healthy skin around them, causing the scar to feel tight. There are extremely effective creams and ointments that are now available to aid in these discomforts. Silicone-based creams, vitamin-rich creams, and antioxidant creams help to minimize the size of scars, the discolouration of a scar, and the irritation they cause.
A raised scar can be surgically removed with an incision, which requires stitching. Although the stitches create another wound that requires healing, they are usually smaller than the original scar. Steroid injections are able to reduce the size of hypertrophic scars.
Indented Scars Can Be The Result Of An Injury, Acne, Or Chicken Pox
Most Effective Method
However, laser skin therapy is one of the best and most effective methods of smoothing out a raised scar. It is a controlled method of removing the top, uneven layer of scar tissue, revealing a smooth, new layer of skin underneath.
Indented scars can be the result of an injury, acne, or chicken pox. Punch excision is the process of using a round, sharp surgical tool the same size as the indentation to remove the scar, pull the edges of the skin together, and suture them. Some atrophic scars are so deep that they require skin grafting. Punch grafting is when the two procedures are combined. Injectable fillers are able to replenish the indentation, producing a smooth complexion. However, even for these types of scars, laser skin therapy is the best option because of its ability to treat indented scars by using heat to resurface the top layer of skin and produce a smoother, more even complexion.
Lastly, scars should be exposed to the sun as little as possible, since this may cause hyperpigmentation to occur. Sunscreen is an absolute must whenever you go outside.
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