A scar occurs whenever there is a cut or injury to the skin. Scar therapy can be used for both old and new scars. The best outcome of scar therapy occurs with the prompt initiation of these techniques when managing the formation of a new scar.
Keeping new surgical incisions clean and moisturized with an occlusive ointment 3-4 times a day during the initial post-operative period is essential for good wound healing and scar management. Occlusive ointments are products such as Bacitracin, Aquaphor or even Vaseline.
Keeping a scar covered and out of the sun is imperative to minimize redness which occurs from the sun’s UVA/UVB rays. Apply sunscreen with an SPF 50+ to scars, even if they are covered by your clothing.
Gentle scar massage to all surgical incisions should be started in the early post-operative period, generally around 2-3 weeks post procedure. Scar massage is used to improve the look and feel of a scar. Scar massage helps to stimulate collagen formation and decrease inflammation, firmness, and redness of the scar.
Circular motions along the entire scar, in combination with cross friction motion, which is a perpendicular massage across the scar, is an effective massage technique. Scar massage should be done 3-4 times a day, for 5-10 minutes, following surgery for optimal results.
Silicone sheeting strips are a non-invasive way to help reduce the formation and appearance of scar tissue. Silicone sheeting strips work by increasing hydration of the stratum corneum, which is the outer layer of skin.
Silicone sheeting strips should be worn for 12+ hours per day to see positive results.
Silicone gel can be used in place of silicone sheeting strips. The gel is applied twice daily to scars for many months to appreciate its results.
Laser therapy assists in improving the look of scars.
The IPL laser is used to improve scar redness and blend the scar with surrounding tissues.
The Profractional and ReSurfx laser directly treats deeper levels by creating penetrating channels to promote collagen formation.
Deep FX, Scaar FX, fractional CO2 lasers penetrate deeper into the tissues to assist in scar remodeling and collagen formation and their ablative capability removes outside layers of skin, improving color tone and leaving a smoother appearance to scars. Multiple laser treatments may be necessary for optimal results.
Steroid injection is a non-surgical option to treat scars that are raised and inflamed. Kenalog is used to reduce the inflammation a raised scar. The medication assists the scar to flatten and can, at times, lighten the scar color.
Please call the office of Dr Totonchi for your scar care needs and treatment options.
