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Scars (cont.)

What Are Possible Treatments for Scars?

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The treatments for scars will vary depending on multiple factors. Scar treatments may include:

  • Over-the-counter or prescription creams, ointments or gels. These products can be used to treat scars that are caused by surgical incisions or other injuries or wounds. If you are under the care of a plastic surgeon and your scarring is the result of cosmetic or plastic surgery, ask your surgeon if over-the-counter treatment is sufficient; otherwise, he or she will prescribe that which best suits your personal case. Often, treatments can include corticosteroids or certain antihistamine creams for scars that cause itching and are extremely sensitive. Likewise, if you are under the care of a dermatologist for severe acne and have scarring as a result, ask your doctor for his or her recommendation if you haven't already received it. Your doctor can also recommend or use pressure treatings or silicone gel sheetings to help treat scars or as preventative care.
  • Surgical removal or treatment. There are many options to treat deeper wounds and scars depending on your particular case: skin grafts, excision, dermabrasion, or laser surgery, for example. You can receive a skin graft, where the surgeon removes skin from another area of your body. This is often used in the case of burn victims. If you've got scarring that impairs function, surgery can help address those problems. Like other surgeries, you and your doctor will determine together if you will have local anesthesia with an oral sedative or general anesthesia that will put you to sleep. If you've recently undergone plastic, cosmetic, or other surgery that has caused scars, it is best to wait at least one year before making a decision about scar treatment. Many scars fade and become less noticeable over time.
  • Injections. In the case of protruding scars such as keloids or hypertrophic, your doctor may elect to use steroid injections. He or she may use this as a stand-alone treatment, or in conjunction with other treatments.

    Other types of injections, such as collagen or other "fillers," may be useful for some types of pitted scarring although these are not usually permanent solutions.
Reviewed on 7/8/2012

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