Are You Thinking About Scar Removal?
Living with scars isn’t easy even if they don’t impair your movement or cause a disfigurement. However, scar removal is not a matter to be taken lightly. In some cases, it is outright inadvisable and might end up worsening the problem. Therefore, it is essential to research and consider the matter carefully as well as consult a doctor before taking this step.
Why you should consider scar removal
The most important reason to consider scar removal is the scar itself. Depending on its location and severity, scar tissue can impair movement and cause a variety of health problems. If this is the case, removing it is essential and should be done under the supervision of your doctor. Bear in mind that it is impossible to remove scars completely. Therefore, your doctor will need to decide whether the benefits you can achieve as a result of intervention are worth the risks.
Even if scars do not impair your physical health, they adversely affect the quality of life. Most importantly, notes Mildred Ngaage a clinical research fellow at the University of Maryland, scars remain stigmatized by society even today. Therefore, they deeply affect the patient’s mental health and quality of life. Not only are people with scars are more prone to depression, anxiety and even PTSD, they also have a harder time finding and holding onto a job.
Therefore, scar removal is not only a matter of vanity. It is a treatment that might be imperative for both the physical and mental recovery, and providing the affected person with the highest possible quality of life.
What is the best scar removal treatment today?
There is no such thing as “the best” scar removal treatment because each option has its pros and cons. There are techniques that only work for light scarring and those that should only be used in extreme situations when the affected tissue causes serious issues.
Scar removal surgery is a treatment you should turn to only in the cases when scarring is so severe, no other technique would be effective. The surgeon will choose the best technique to work in your specific case.
Dr. Janelle Vega, a renowned dermatologist in Coral Gables, recommends using laser resurfacing for any scars that aren’t so severe as to need surgery, but are bad enough that topical treatments won’t produce much effect. This procedure is non-invasive, thus safer than surgery. However, not all scars can be treated with it. You also need to understand that lasers might work poorly or be impossible to use for people with darker skin color.
Topical treatments in the form of injections can be a good solution for scarring that doesn’t go too deep. Steroid and corticosteroid injections are the most common. They remove inflammation around the scar, which improves its appearance. However, neither can remove the scar itself, so they won’t produce a major cosmetic change.
Note that corticosteroid injections might be able to help get rid of keloid scars, which can become a major issue and are difficult to treat. While not dangerous for your health, keloid scars can be very uncomfortable and disfiguring.
Dr. Janet Yueh of the Cohen/Winters Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeons in New Jersey advises using silicone scar sheets or gels for the treatment of superficial scars. These products work best when you start treatment relatively early after the surgery or injury. They won’t be effective for old scars. You might need to use these products for weeks to achieve the best possible result.
Topical treatments like anti-scar creams and serums only work on very mild superficial scarring. They should be prescribed by a dermatologist. They might become a part of a more complex treatment plan for old and more severe cases.
Scarring is a problem that affects your life on multiple levels, and it is impossible to fix completely. Therefore, you should consult an expert and develop a treatment plan that will be able to provide maximum relief in your personal case.
Article written by Jane Koval
This article was written by the guest author listed at the end of the article.