Scar management

  • Home
  • Clinical Dermatology
0

Succesful Surgery

Scars can cause significant emotional distress and loss of confidence to many. Hence, even if it may not always be possible to completely remove them, improving them significantly is very gratifying. While there are many types and causes of scars, I have written this article keeping in mind the acne scars, since they are the commonest and most distressing.

First, please understand the difference between marks and scars. Marks refer to the pigmented blemishes (dhabbe) that pimples leave behind, and scars are the depressions (khadde) in your skin due to severe acne. Any injury to your skin stimulates collagen and elastin fiber generation for wound healing. All techniques basically produce controlled injuries to the scar, generating different fibers and hence gradually filling the scars. Since most individuals have scars of different shapes and sizes, different techniques generally have to be combined for each individual.

Expectations and care:

  • A total of 5 to 10 sessions of scar resurfacing are needed depending on the degree of scarring and the individual's nutrition and skin type.
  • Redness of the skin is expected for 2-7 days after all sessions (downtime). Do not plan appointments within 7-10 days for important events like weddings.
  • Significant improvement in scar appearance can be achieved, but scars cannot be cleared completely.
  • Strict sun protection must be taken for a week before and after every session.
  • Avoid letting your skin get dry before and after each session. You will be instructed to use a moisturizer and anti-septic ointment accordingly.

Expectations and care:

  • A total of 5 to 10 sessions of scar resurfacing are needed depending on the degree of scarring and the individual's nutrition and skin type.
  • Redness of the skin is expected for 2-7 days after all sessions (downtime). Do not plan appointments within 7-10 days for important events like weddings.
  • Significant improvement in scar appearance can be achieved, but scars cannot be cleared completely.
  • Strict sun protection must be taken for a week before and after every session.
  • Avoid letting your skin get dry before and after each session. You will be instructed to use a moisturizer and anti-septic ointment accordingly.

Different scar modulation methods:

  • Micro-needling: a motorized micro-needling device used to produce micro-injuries over the scars. It is a non-energy-based device method and hence among the safest for dark to very dark skin types.
  • Fractional CO2 laser: works faster than micro-needling in some types of scars. Very precise and accurate. Downtime is about 5-7 days and brownish patches may be visible over the skin in some cases during this time. Hence not recommended for those who cannot afford downtime.
  • MNRF (micro-needling radio-frequency): combines the benefits of micro-needling with radiofrequency waves, which not only resurfaces the skin but also tightens it. Ideal for patients with loose or saggy skin, open pores or with acne still active. Downtime is relatively short compared to the CO2 laser.
  • Sub-scision: simple yet essential. A needle is used to break the bands under the scars that are holding the scars down. Without this step, other modalities are unlikely to work in scars grade 3 or higher.
  • TCA CROSS: High concentration tri-choro acetic acid is carefully applied over the root of ice-pick scars. Brownish spots (dead cells) may stay over the scars for 4-5 days.
  • Nano-needling: similar to microneedling, but needles used are finer and the instrument used has a higher speed, ideal for relatively superficial scars since it has minimal downtime and does not need topical anesthesia.

Different scar modulation methods:

  • Micro-needling: a motorized micro-needling device used to produce micro-injuries over the scars. It is a non-energy-based device method and hence among the safest for dark to very dark skin types.
  • Fractional CO2 laser: works faster than micro-needling in some types of scars. Very precise and accurate. Downtime is about 5-7 days and brownish patches may be visible over the skin in some cases during this time. Hence not recommended for those who cannot afford downtime.
  • MNRF (micro-needling radio-frequency): combines the benefits of micro-needling with radiofrequency waves, which not only resurface the skin but also tighten it. Better for those with loose/ saggy/ ageing skin and open pores, those who want to treat scars while acne is still active, and those with open pores and cases resistant to other modalities. Relatively short and pleasant downtime is another major advantage.
  • Sub-scision: simple yet essential. A needle is used to break the bands under the scars that are holding the scars down. Without this step, other modalities are unlikely to work in scars grade 3 or higher.
  • TCA CROSS: High concentration tri-choro acetic acid is carefully applied over the root of ice-pick scars. Brownish spots (dead cells) may stay over the scars for 4-5 days.
  • Nano-needling: similar to microneedling, but needles used are finer and the instrument used has a higher speed. The idea for relatively superficial scars since it has minimal downtime and does not need topical anesthesia.

FAQs: 

Are the treatments painful?
No, an anesthetic cream will be applied over the treatment area for 45 minutes before doing most sessions, hence your skin will be numb.

Very unlikely. Generally due to poor post-treatment care. Even if they leave marks they are treatable.

None. There are no radiations involved. 
No, since the outcome depends on a lot of factors like the degree of scars, individual wound healing ability, nutrition etc.

Our Motive is Helping Patients From Around the Globe

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua
Start Consultation