How to treat scars quickly and effectively? Below, the Anhui Dermatology Hospital (Hefei Tongshan Dermatology Specialty Hospital) will introduce six methods of scar rehabilitation treatment.
First category: Laser treatment for scars
Laser has four major characteristics: strong monochromaticity, strong directionality, high energy density, and good coherence. It is a new medical technology different from other medical technologies. There are many types of lasers used in the medical field, but currently there are not many lasers that can be used to treat scars. It mainly uses the unique technologies of laser such as burning, vaporization, cutting, coagulation, and defocusing irradiation. By directly changing the output power of the laser or adjusting the focused laser beam, it can use different properties to treat different scars.
The method of laser treatment for scars is suitable for flat scars without obvious functional disorders, scattered pockmarks, chickenpox, acne scars of varying sizes and uneven heights left after healing, bridging and hypertrophic scars, and can also be used to treat hypertrophic scars and keloids.
If laser treatment for scars is applied properly, it generally will not cause danger. In very rare cases, complications such as local scar formation and pigmentation may occur, which are mostly due to improper control of treatment depth. After laser treatment, oral antibiotics should be taken for three days. Patients with larger treatment areas should extend the medication time. After the wound forms a scab, do not forcibly remove it; wait for it to fall off naturally. Avoid sun exposure and wind-sand stimulation after the scab falls off.
Second category: Drug treatment for scars
Drug treatment is currently the safest method. There are many drugs for treating scars. Currently, the most commonly used effective but side-effect-prone corticosteroid drugs in clinical practice, slow-acting silicone preparations, and less common antihistamines, anticancer drugs, immunosuppressants, etc., do not believe in those TV shopping advertisements selling drugs that claim to treat scars, which promise miraculous effects. These are all unscientific and deceptive advertisements. So far, no drug has been found that can completely remove all kinds of scars. We can only reduce or alleviate the production of scars and the possibility of fading them.
Third category: Cryotherapy for scars
Cryotherapy uses low temperatures below 0℃ to destroy scar tissue, thereby achieving the purpose of treating scars. This method is suitable for flat scars without obvious functional disorders, scattered pockmarks, chickenpox, acne scars of varying sizes and heights left after healing, bridging and hypertrophic scars. This method is safe and easy to perform, but patients with deeper or larger scars are better off not choosing this method.
Fourth category:
1. Compression therapy: Tighten beauty tape on the scar and apply forceful point massage on it so that the scar gradually flattens. This method must be continued for more than 6 months to be effective.
2. Silicone sheet compression: Apply silicone sheets on the scar. Initially, wear them for eight hours a day, then increase to 12 hours once the skin adapts. They need to be worn for 6 months to have good results. As for the mechanism of action of silicone sheets, Quinn believes it's the continuous chemical release of silicon oil, while Swada and Son think it's the physiological effect of hydration and occlusion that inhibits scars. PS. The above items 1 and 2 are suitable for scars formed within half a year.
3. Steroid injection into the scar: Use long-acting steroids injected directly into the scar to inhibit excessive collagen protein in the scar to achieve the effect of suppressing the scar.
Ketchum recommends the following dosage:
Maximum dose per session Dosage frequency
Adults 120mg Monthly injection for 4 to 6 months of treatment
Children 40mg For ages 1-5
80mg For ages 6-10
4. Radiation Therapy (Irradiation): Radiation was previously used to kill, suppress, or convert fibroblasts to control excessive scar tissue growth. Currently, this method is reserved for large-area keloid patients who are unresponsive to steroid treatment.
5. Others: Methods mentioned in literature that can inhibit scars include:
o Vitamin A
o Vitamin E
o Collagen inhibitors like BAPN (Beta-aminopropionitrile), penicillamine, and colchicine
o Madecassol that inhibits myofibroblasts in keloids
o Zinc oxide (Zinc Oxide)
o Antitumor agents like methotrexate (MTX)
o Immunotherapy like interferon and TGF-B inhibitors
Fifth category: Laser
Based on the principle of laser scar removal, it can be divided into two types:
o One type is dermabrasion laser, including carbon dioxide laser and Er-YAG laser, which can smooth out raised scars and superficial depressed scars.
o Pigmentation removal laser: Includes dye laser and pulsed light (photoderm). The laser acts on the blood vessels and hemoglobin within the scar, making the scar color fade and gradually shrink. This type of laser is particularly suitable for scars formed within half a year and with deeper redness.
Sixth category: Surgery
Surgical control of scars is applied when the scar has stabilized (usually formed for more than half a year) and the appearance is wide, coarse, or unattractive. Surgical methods include scar excision and re-suturing, Z-shaped or W-shaped scar revision, dermabrasion, etc. If the scar is too large, staged excision or placement of a tissue expander for a period of time before scar excision can be considered.