Topical Treatments

• There are several different types and brands of over-the-counter and prescription topical aids for scar treatment. These usually take the form of creams, oils, gels or ointments. Most of these formulas are designed to be used over a span of several weeks and work by gradually smoothing and refining the surface skin. Some of these topical scar relief treatments are blended with other topical blends designed for skin problems that can be related to scarring. Acne medication and scar smoothing medicines are sometimes blended together in a single formula, and antihistamines are sometimes blended with scar treatments to soothe itchy scars. For the best results, patients with scars should consult a dermatologist or primary care physician to ask for a personalized recommendation for topical treatment. It could be that an affordable over-the-counter medicine is best for your scar, but if a stronger formula is needed, your doctor should be able to prescribe it.
  
  

Surgical Treatments

• Scars that are painful, prominent and those that restrict movement or bodily function may be best treated via surgical means. There are numerous different types of surgical scar removal methods with varying levels of invasiveness and lengths of recovery periods. Plastic surgeons may be able to completely remove scar tissue by excision, a painstaking procedure of carefully cutting scar tissue away from healthy skin. This approach is usually taken in only the most severe cases, however. Laser technology is now being used by plastic surgeons to smooth and minimize scar tissue without any incisions and with minimal downtime. Some scars, particularly burn scars, can be treated effectively with skin grafts. In a skin graft, surgeons remove skin tissue from other parts of the patient's body, usually the thighs or buttocks. This skin is then grafted, in layers, onto the scarred areas of the skin. Another treatment, dermabrasion, is non-surgical but is frequently used by plastic surgeons to smooth away mild cases of scarring. Dermabrasion treatments involve spraying scar tissue with a stream of air or water that has a mild, microscopic abrasive in it. The abrasive particles smooth skin over time much like a sandblaster, only gentle enough for the skin.
  
  

Injection Treatments

• Scars that are noticeably raised or sunken may be treated with certain types of injections. Raised scars form when a body's healing process produces too much collagen, which is the pale colored substance that forms scar tissue. Too much collagen in a scar can make it slightly bumpy, and far too much can cause the scar tissue to grow beyond the area of the original wound. These types of scars, called keloid scars, can often be treated and smoothed with regular steroid injections. These injections are available by prescription only. Another type of scar treatment injection is collagen or Botox. These treatments are temporary, but can restore shape and elasticity to scarred areas that appear sunken or pitted. They are injected just beneath the surface of the skin, directly under the scar, and can smooth the outward appearance of scar tissue from underneath.