Effective Scar Treatments

Scars on the skin may form from trauma, burns, surgery, and after more severe forms of acne.

There are several different types of scars:

Atrophic Scars

More severe forms of facial acne will often produce atrophic or depressed scars, of which there are 3 types: icepick scars, box scars and rolling scars.

Raised Scars

1. Keloid scars are raised red scars that extend beyond the original area of injury to involve the adjacent normal skin. Unfortunately, keloid scars, if not treated properly, may slowly enlarge over time.
2. Hypertrophic scars are also raised red scars but the scar tissue remains confined within the boundaries of the original wound area and tends to regress spontaneously with time.

Treatment tips for scars

Prescription

1. Pressure dressings (especially for post-burn scars)
2. Chemical peels
3. Medical micro-needling especially for post-acne atrophic or depressed scars on the face
4. Intralesional injections of cortisone, 5-fluorourocil, Bleomycin or Botox
5. Laser treatments (Vascular and Fractional lasers)
6. Surgical scar revision (for stretched scars)
7. Surgical excision followed by superficial x-ray treatment within 48 hours after surgery.

Non-Prescription

• If you have a personal or family history of keloid formation, you should avoid unnecessary surgical procedures in the high-risk areas of your body
• If you have a personal or family history of keloid formation avoid ear piercing or other body piercings, and avoid surgical excision of benign skin lesions in high-risk areas
• If a skin lesion needs to be removed for medical reasons this should be performed by a doctor with the best surgical technique, for example, a plastic surgeon
• Keep wounds closed and moist as this has been shown to speed up wound healing and reduce the chances of hypertrophic or keloid scar formation
• Avoid excessive tension of the wound
• With more severe forms of acne avoid excessive squeezing or picking of lesions
• Regular use of a high-factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential
• People with darker skin tones are more prone to developing raised scars
• Use silicone scar gels as soon as the wound has healed

Skincare ingredients for scars

Dr Webster recommends using skincare products containing silicone when treating scars.

Why:

• They are considered the gold standard with preventative & therapeutic ingredients
• Well-known for their excellent occlusive properties
• Prevent the excessive build-up of collagen in the dermis
• If applied early on, and when formulated with other ingredients, silicones can help improve overall appearance, especially while the scar is still forming
• Can help prevent the formation of hypertrophic or keloid scars

Skincare products for treating scars

Dr Webster recommends:

• SkinCeuticals Advanced Scar Control
• Fagron Nourisil MD Silicone Scar Gel 10g
• Lamelle Centar Gel

Scars are more susceptible to hyperpigmentation, which refers to the darkening of the skin due to increased melanin production. When exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, scars can become darker and more noticeable. The silicone gels recommended above leave a matt finish so sunscreens as recommended can be layered onto the silicone gel during the day.

By applying SPF regularly, you can help prevent this hyperpigmentation and ensure that the scar fades more evenly over time. Dr Webster recommends:

• Heliocare 360° Mineral Tolerance Fluid SPF 50
• Heliocare 360° Invisible Spray SPF 50+