Scars can occur from many types of injury to the skin. Although nothing can restore the skin to its original perfection, there are many techniques available to soften the appearance of scarring. In addition, treatments can be given to reduce the itch, pain and tightness that can be associated with some scars.
TREATMENT FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF SCARS
Your dermatologist will assess your scars to determine the appropriate treatment, which may include:
- Acne scars - injections, needling techniques, non-ablative lasers or fractional CO2 lasers may be used to improve acne scarring, including reddish-brown marks and atrophic scars.
- Keloid or hypertrophic scars - Silicone gels are the first line treatment of any scars. Disfiguring raised scars can be treated with steroid injections to soften and flatten. Vascular lasers combined with steroid injections are often used to achieve even better results. In patients with earlobe keloids, CO2 laser and steroid injections can be used in combination to improve its appearance.
- Depressed scars - fractional laser resurfacing can be used to improve the appearance of depressed scars by stimulating new collagen formation.