Many people have past scars that they wish they could hide, diminish, or cover. Fortunately, there are many different things that can be done to diminish or even remove scars. Of course, many people choose to use creams and other methods to reduce the appearance of cars. However, it’s possible to take things a step further by seeing a surgeon. Surgeons have a variety of different solutions in their arsenal when it comes to treating scars.
Corticosteroid Injections
Often, a surgeon will take a modest approach to scar removal/reduction by using Corticosteroid injections. These injections are anti-inflammatory and can decrease the size of the scar. These injections also help diminish redness and burning, as well as itching. These injections are often the first line of defense when it comes to treating scars.
Laser Treatment
A surgeon might use laser treatment to diminish the appearance of scars by flattening, smoothing, and resurfacing a scar. Laser treatment often requires more than one session to noticeably reduce the appearance of a scar. Dr. Joel Aronowitz is a surgeon that’s familiar with the benefits of laser treatment for scars.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is a technique used to remove scars by freezing them off. Liquid nitrogen is applied to a scar or sprayed on a scar to freeze it and remove it. This is an effective treatment for some scars.
Additional Procedures
A surgeon will determine the best course of action to treat a scar. A chemical peel may be used to diminish the appearance of a scar. A chemical treatment alters the appearance of a scar by getting rid of dead skin. The chemicals remove layers of dead skin to reveal fresh new skin, in hopes of reducing or eliminating a scar. On the flip side, microdermabrasion and dermabrasion are physical treatments that can be used to reduce the appearance of a scar. These methods remove the top layer of skin to smooth a scar. Resurfacing methods are generally effective on flat scars.
Scar Excision
The appearance of some scars can be reduced by scar excision. The scar is removed, and the edges are sewn together to diminish the appearance of the scar. This method is often used with large and possibly painful scars. The scar is cut out of the skin and the skin is stitched back together.
Other Procedures
There are a wide variety of treatments and procedures available for people who want to diminish the appearance of their scars. The size and type of scar, as well as other pertinent factors, influence the type of treatment recommended for a scar. Some treatments are more intense than others. Skin grafts and flaps, as well as W-plasty and Z-plasty are examples of more extensive measures used to treat scars. Surgeons like Joel Aronowitz MD make decisions on the best treatment for a scar based on many different factors. From chemical to mechanical and surgical methods, as well as a vast majority of others, patients have many options for dealing with scars.