What Are YOur Scar Removal Options?
Scars are a natural part of the healing of any wound. Scars happen as a result from a burn, cuts, surgery, abrasions and disease. For many people scars can be a nuisance and for many embarrassing. They can take what seems like forever to heal and fade only to discover it will not go completely away. If a wound or injury that occurred damaged the skin deep then the chances are that the scar will never completely go away without some type of treatment.
While having the scar is frustrating enough finding an effective treatment can equally frustrating because of the many scar treatment products and procedures that are on the market today. It is really important that you understand exactly what type you have and what types of treatments work the best for the different types of scars there are.
Lets start with the removal creams and gels. Both of these products contain ingredients that have been shown to safely and effectively diminish both the color and the size of a scar over a period of time. These types of products work very well on injuries that minor cuts, burns and abrasions that resulted in scarring. The skin was not damaged deep.
Creams contain a variety of ingredients that include vitamins, silicone, onion extract and a variety of skin moisturizers. Many people have had satisfactory results from using scar cream.
Gels while very similar to creams are usually silicone based. They also contain a variety of ingredients including skin moisturizers. The gel has been found to be a more effective way of diminishing the color and size from burns, surgeries and Keloid scars. Gels are absorbed into the skin far more efficiently than scar creams are.
Surgery removal will never completely remove a scar, there will always be some scarring from the surgery, but it can change the location so that it is less noticeable. A skilled surgeon can definitely improve the appearance. It is important to note that different types respond differently to surgery techniques also that the timing of a surgery is important. Also the scars that are left behind from plastic surgeries are generally small in size and are covered in a silicone gel or silicone car sheeting after surgery.
Z-plasty is also a surgical procedure that relocates a scar to a less noticeable location that more closely matches the skin.
Laser removal is best used to reduce the appearance of scars. Laser removal is chosen by many people today for the removal of scars such as stretch marks, surgery and accident related. Laser resurfacing involves being anesthetized in a dermatologists or doctors clinic and having the top layer of skin removed by a laser. Fractional laser therapy works on the deeper layers of the skin.
Dermabrasion removal is very similar to laser resurfacing except that a rotating wire brush is used to do the resurfacing, this method take longer to heal.
Steroid removal is used on keloid or hypertrophic scars to soften and flatten the appearance of the scar.
Skin grafting removal transfers skin from a healthy part of the body to cover an injured area. Skin grafts leave some scarring at both the donor area and the injured area.
Lastly are home remedies for removal, while some may seem silly they all have produced great results.
- Vitamin E oil applied to the scarred area regularly works great.
- Cocoa butter applied helps get rid of scars
- Lemon juice and cucumbers applied to scar has worked to get rid of scar
- Ice cubes rubbed on scars help tighten skin and reduce scarring
- Aloe Vera gel, cod liver oil or Vitamin E applied helps prevent deepening of scars
- Sandlewood paste & Black gram paste applied early help reduce the intensity of a scar
As you can see there are many options available for anyone looking help with scar removal. It is best to know exactly what type of scar you have and the different options that are available to removing it before you make your decision as to which scar removal path you will choose to treat your scar. Also be aware that old scar will never completely disappear but the will get softer and flatter and turn paler over time.