Treatment of Scars

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Scars only need to be treated if you feel uncomfortable with the way they look, or if they are painful. Scars cannot be removed completely, but in many cases it is possible to make them less visible. Your GP may refer you to a specialist skin doctor (dermatologist) for treatment.

Both men and women can use make up to cover up scars, especially those on the face. Pharmacies sell special camouflage make up, made particularly for covering up scars.

Creams or supplements containing vitamin E may be helpful in speeding up the healing process and having less visible scars afterwards. Eggs and leafy green vegetables are both rich in vitamin E.

Silicon gel sheets are sometimes used to try to reduce the visibility of scars, by flattening and softening them. They are available from some pharmacies. Silicon gel sheeting can be used to treat and prevent hypertrophic and keloid scars and is used on healing skin (not open wounds). Ask your dermatologist, GP or pharmacist for further advice on using this treatment.

Dermatologists may prescribe drugs such as potassium aminobenzoate, to help break down scar tissue. These are often used to treat conditions such as scleroderma that can cause extensive scarring and hardening of the skin.

Severe acne scars are sometimes removed using laser resurfacing, when the top layer of the skin is gently removed using lasers.

Sometimes surgery is used to improve the appearance of scars. This is known as scar revision, and can include procedures such as a skin graft if the scar is not healing properly or if a lot of skin has been lost.

After serious burn injuries, pressure garment therapy is often used to prevent and treat scarring. This involves wearing stretchy stockings over the burn area, which apply pressure on to wound, and help it to close neatly. For serious burns, they have to be worn up to 23 hours each day, and for up to 12 months.

Other treatments for burn scars can include massage therapy and steroid drugs.