Got a scar? Got several? You may wonder how you can keep them from getting worse. Even if you just got injured and have a fresh wound, it’s time to start planning on how you will minimize that wound’s appearance as it ages. Keeping the scar out of the sun is a good tip for starters, but there are many treatments you can do at home and in the dermatologist’s office that can minimize the appearance of any resulting scar you may have.
Because no two scars are the same in size, shape, texture or extent, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment that works for everyone. Indeed, many factors will determine the type of scar you get and which treatment would be best for it. Let’s go over the most common treatments for scars that you may consider.
Top Scar Treatment Options
It’s always best to see a dermatologist first before beginning any kind of treatment. He or she will tell you what’s best to try depending on the nature and extent of the initial injury as well as what makes most sense for your lifestyle.
First off, the most common and least invasive scar treatment option includes topical gels and ointments. Take Scarfade, for instance. It’s available over the counter and is safe to use for all ages. You just massage it on the affected area twice a day and enjoy noticeable fading effects over the coming weeks and months. This is an inexpensive option and is great for average scars.
Next up, you have mid-range options such as:
- Dressings and sheets: These are placed on healing skin over long periods of time to soften and flatten the scar while relieving itching and discomfort.
- Steroids: These are injected into the scar tissue to decrease itching, redness, and burning produced by the scar.
- Pressure treatment: This will compress small blood vessels underneath the scar, bridging the gap between healthy skin and the scar tissue.
Then, there are more invasive options that should only be explored as a last resort and used for the most severe of cases:
- Laser surgery: Also known as laser skin resurfacing or revision, this treatment reduces the appearance of scars — effective even many years after scar formation.
- Skin grafting: This involves placing apiece of healthy skin from another bodily area and attaching it to the scarred area.
- Cryotherapy: This process delivers nitrogen vapor to the area, which freezes the scar from the inside out.
In the end, for mild to moderate cases, we recommend that you use the least invasive option first to see what results you get. Application of a silicone scar gel like Scarfade can be very effective at minimizing scar appearance, whether arising from acne, injury, burns, infections or surgeries.