Scars can hinder anyone’s self-confidence, regardless of where they are on the body. Although there is no way to make a scar disappear completely, there are plenty of dermatology options and treatments out there that can help diminish it. Choosing the best treatment for your scar depends on the type of scar you have. In basic terms, a scar is a mark left on your skin after an injury heals.
We all have had scars — whether from an accident or from surgery, the body works to repair the wound by creating collagen (a tough fiber in your body that gives the skin strength and flexibility) to reconnect the tissues damaged by the injury. This creates a scab over the wound to protect germs from entering as the body heals. When the injured skin is healed, the scab dries up and falls off. What we have in its place, is a scar.
Dermatology is the medicinal science of diagnosing and treating skin diseases. Dermatologists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin diseases and have the knowledge to perform different treatment for different scars. The following are some of these treatment options.
LASER REMOVAL
For surgical scars, laser scar removal is an effective and noninvasive option. For this procedure, the dermatologist will use intense light to reduce the size, color and shape of the scar. Depending on the size and color of the scar, multiple sessions may be necessary. This is a great option for those who want to avoid any sort of surgical procedure.
SURGERY
If you are not afraid of surgical procedures, there are options available. A surgeon can reduce the size of a wide scar or take skin from another part of your body to place over the scarred area. However, keep in mind that surgery is typically the most expensive and, as a result, the last option many people opt to take when treating scars.
CHEMICAL PEELS
Chemical peels go over the area where the scarring occurs. When the peel is removed, the layer of skin is lifted away with it to reveal a smoother, cleaner layer of skin. Chemical peel treatments typically require multiple sessions and are best at removing tiny or surface-level scars. Deeper and larger scars may require other treatment options.
DERMABRASION
Dermabrasion is a machine that dermatologists use to smooth away the top layer of your skin — think of sanding your scar away. Like chemical peels, this treatment is typically used for surface-level scars or to smooth out a raised scar.
INJECTIONS
Injections are also available to help heal and patch up scars. Steroid injections and prescriptions are available to help shrink the size of a scar and make it blend evenly with the surface of your skin. There are dermal fillers and collagen that can help fill in the area around a deep scar to hide its appearance, as well.
OINTMENTS
Last but not least, ointments and over the counter scar removal creams are a good solution for minor scarring and scabbing. If these ointments prove to be ineffective, your dermatologist can prescribe more effective forms of treatment.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Although scarring can hinder your appearance, there are multiple ways to help tackle the situation. Talk to a dermatologist about the solutions that would best suit you.
