How to help scars fade and become less noticeable!
just before lunchtime of September 20th, 2006Just received this e-mail and wanted to pass on this information that you should know about scars…of any kind. Please remember that your body may heal differently and that you should always follow the advice of your Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon when it comes to post-op healing and scar management. Nonetheless, I think this is still good information for those thinking about Facelifts, Mini Lifts, Tummy Tuck, Breast Augmentation, Blepharoplasty, Browlift, Chin Augmentation, Lip Augmentation, Otoplasty or even Rhinoplasty. Please read below….Dr. Francis R. Palmer, III
I am a surgical nurse with a background in physiology and a special personal interest in scars and healing. This is a definite science and patients would be helped if they understood it.
Scars are too much collagen. Normal scar formation involves a balance between collagen and collagenase activity. Many things can help swing the balance favorably.
First… what doesn’t? Mederma is onion extract. Any product that claims to raise sunken scars and sink raised scars should be suspect just from a common sense standpoint! No study shows any clinical benefit. Dr. Mustoe of Northwestern studied this and published it in the Plastic Surgery Journal. The bad thing here is that people who use this think that nothing will help scars.Not true!
What does raise collagenase activity and melt scar tissue? Silicone, cortisone, pressure and occlusion.
Without a doubt, Silicone sheets like Cica Care work if people would use them. The problem here is that they are hard to use and draw attention.
Silicone gels like Scarfade and Kelocote work but are a bit messy.
Cordran Tape works but falls off and also draws attention.
Vitamin E is controversial but a special type of vitamin E has been shown to slow collagenesis preventing scar buildup in forming scars.
The most popular treatment among plastic surgeons in my research is a Mentor Corporation product called Scarguard. This is silicone, cortisone and vitamin E in a fast drying liquid like nail polish. It has been shown to raise collagenase activity tremendously in published studies. It is also in some drug stores.
If a person is trying to prevent scars after surgery or has a raised scar that is old, these products should be recommended. They work!!! This advice would really help your patients!
Sincerely
Heidi
What type of vitamin will help fade scars from acne or just bumps that were picked and left a black mark?
Ashanti :: 6 months, 1 week after
Hey Ashanti,
Good question. Contrary to popular belief Vit C and E do not, in my opinion, fade or helps scars but can actually make them worse. What you are describing are areas of hyperpigmentation from acne or other skin blemishes. You’ll need a pigment stabilizer and must AVOID THE SUN or the areas will continue to get darker.
Prescription grade Hydroquinone is the best…but you can only use it for 6 months…as it can promote skin cancer if used longer. You’ll need to see a Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon or a Dermatologist for the prescription.
Dr. Francis R Palmer, III
drfpalmer :: 6 months, 1 week after
I have scars on my arms from shingles can you help??
donna white :: 6 months, 1 week after
I need your help for scars from the shingles
donna white :: 6 months, 1 week after
Hey Donna,
See a dermatologist or plastic and cosmetic surgeon and ask about a pigment stabilizer like hydroquinone.
Dr. Francis R Palmer, III
drfpalmer :: 6 months, 2 weeks after
Dear Dr. Palmer,
I have had SLE since 1990 and my skin is now being affected. My dermatologist tried dapsone and a topical steroid but they did not work. I now have multiple dark and light scar pigmentation on my hands and arms from blisters that form when a hard surface makes contact with them. I am a light-skinned African-American. Is their anything that will safely even out my skin tone without causing further damage. I have lost all of my fingernails by using Super-gro and Hard As Nails nail products. Thank you for any insight.
Bernadette :: 8 months, 1 week after
Hey Bernadette,
I’m afraid that I don’t have any secrets to share with you. I think a good Dermatologist would be better suited to give you advice.
Dr. Francis Palmer
drfpalmer :: 8 months, 1 week after
Hi, my question is I have two really old scars, both are from surgeries. One scar is located on my toe and the other on my knee. I saw that in the above article Hiedi mentioned various products that could help fade old scars. I was wondering if you could narrow that list down and let me know what would work the best for my particular situation. Thanks,
Andria
Andria Strickland :: 10 months, 4 weeks after
Hey Andria,
No way to tell because the different products effect scars differently. You’ll have to have a consult with a dermatologist or plastic and cosmetic surgeon for specific recommendations.
Dr. Francis R Palmer, III
drfpalmer :: 10 months, 4 weeks after
Hi, i recently got mole removal and the doctor used a technique 1 step behind laser, it is “burnt” by an instrument which is like a pen. Now the scab came off, resulting in a sunken skin 4 times the size of the mole, and its red. Will the sunken area eventually be normal? Or will it remain sunken? Is there any way to help the scar?
Elizabeth :: 1 year, 11 months after
Elizabeth,
I have no idea. You’ll have to ask the plastic and cosmetic surgeon or drematologist that did the mole removal. I’m not sure what they used.
Dr. Francis R Palmer, III
drfpalmer :: 1 year, 11 months after
hi: I had a tummy tuck 10 months ago. my doctor recomended mederma several times a day. (which I didnt do) i only did the first 2 months, I smoke. My scar is very tiny really but is really red on and outside the scar line. also my belly button is hard and thick also red. is this normal?. the doctor said a few months ago that if the belly button didnt improve he would have to inject something there. Is there anything I can do to help the redness go away on my scar? is there something else for my belly button besides that injection that can help?
Thanks
Jackeline :: 1 year, 11 months after
Jackeline,
Not sure why it’s still red at 10 months post Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). Is this just a wide, raised and red scar? If so, you might want to ask the plastic and cosmetic surgeon about mederma again or other ways to inhibit the scar formation. I think you should tell your plastic and cosmetic surgeon that you didn’t use the mederma for more than 2 months.
Dr. Francis R Palmer, III
drfpalmer :: 1 year, 11 months after
Dr. Palmer,
Hello, I was born with bladder exstrophy and I have had several surgeries to repair my abdomen. My last surgery was nine years ago; I am currently nineteen. My scar from the surgery has healed very well, but I do not like its appearance. Since it has been a while, my scar is not raised, but it has actually sunk in. The surrounding scar tissue is slightly lighter than my actual skin color, and according to a plastic surgeon I recently visited (for other reasons) he said that it is a nice looking scar. But in your post, it does speak of sunken scars. Do you recommend anything for someone like me to use?
Christina :: 2 years after
Christina,
Don’t know. I’d have to see the scar and how it’s positioned on the abdomen as well as look at how much excess skin exists around the scar. You can call 310-652-9583 to schedule an appointment or e-mail photos to my staff at drfpalmer1@aol.com
Dr. Francis R Palmer, III
drfpalmer :: 2 years after
Hi Dr. Palmer
I have an orbital rim implant and a malar cheek implant. The cheek implant is too large and sits too high, thus giving my eyes a sunken in look. I am having the implants removed but have two questions: If I downsize to a small submalar implant do you think that will be too much in combo w/ the orbital rim? I have a small face but had the sunken in thing going on under the eyes. My mid face was just a little flat too. Second question: If I just remove all together will my face sag? Have had them less than a month. I want a youthful look but I also want to look natural.
tash :: 2 years, 3 months after
Tash,
Most likely won’t sag after just 1 month but hat will depend on the thichkness of the cheek implants and your age. Have you though about trying radiesse injections just to get an aesthetic idea of how your cheeks should look before trying implants again?
Dr Francis Palmer
drfpalmer :: 2 years, 3 months after
My teenage child had a inflicted injury 3 weeks old, red but sulken scar around back waist muscle area. These lined scars causes him to avoid swimming.
Read that silicon sheet can be used on raised scar. What about sulken one.
Appreciate if you can revert soonest on any available options. thks
aa :: 2 years, 4 months after
AA,
Your best bet is to take your teen to a local dermatologist for advice. Silicone sheets and cream are available to help the appearance of scars.
Dr Francis R Palmer, III
Beverly Hills Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery
drfpalmer :: 2 years, 4 months after
I have got scars all over my legs and arms from eczama and its really hard especially in summer what kind of products shall i go for and which are available in England.
Ash :: 2 years, 7 months after
Ash,
I have heard rumors of new topical treatments for Eczema. Please consult with a Dermatologist at your local Medical College for further information and while at it ask about a topical scar fade cream that’s available in the UK.
Francis Palmer MD
Beverly Hills Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon
What’s Your Number….the palmer code book
drfpalmer :: 2 years, 7 months after
Any REDNESS is an INFECTION…See your Surgeon.
Jerzigirl :: 2 years, 7 months after
Not all redness are infections, especially in healing scars where they all start out red, fade to pink and then finally normal skin color and or white. But always good advice to see your Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon if unsure.
Dr Francis Palmer
Beverly Hills Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
What’s Your Number…the palmer code book
drfpalmer :: 2 years, 8 months after
Four weeks ago i had an accident with my car that left me a big scar on my hand. Should i go swimming at the beach with a recent scar like this one?
Marios :: 2 years, 9 months after
Marios,
I have no idea. You might want to have your cut looked at by a qualified physician that could then give you some further advice.
Dr Francis Palmer
Beverly Hills Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
What’s Your Number…the palmer code book
drfpalmer :: 2 years, 9 months after
Hi Dr. Palmer,
In an earlier posting, you responded to someone asking about acne scars and possible hyperpigmentation. Would silicone sheeting be a good way to go about this, and would you expect results to be quicker than with a pigment stabilizer?
Thanks
Maria :: 2 years, 9 months after
Maria,
Silicone sheeting is typically used to help scars avoid becoming enlarged, raised and red. You can check with the companies that make the sheets to see if they help with hyperpigmentation as well.
Dr Francis Palmer
Beverly Hills Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
What’s Your Number…the palmer code book
drfpalmer :: 2 years, 9 months after
hi .. i have had scars since i was about 4 and till now im 17 i still have them. i used TCA but that didnt work for me it just made things worse as it made me have darker scars so is there anything that you would really recomend for me becaus hav ebeen trying to get rid of my scars for as long as i can remeber, i have scars al over my body from chicken pox as i used to scratch my self and also from mosquito bites.. please help
sam :: 2 years, 10 months after
Sam,
Best thing for you is to go to the closest medical teaching institution near you and ask to speak with the head of Dermatology to discuss things to lighten and reduce the appearance of your scars.
Dr Francis Palmer
Beverly Hills Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
What’s Your Number…the palmer code book
drfpalmer :: 2 years, 10 months after
Hi Dr. Palmer,
I had a wart burned off by a doctor and it left a pale and sunken scar. I saw a dermatologist who said it would eventually raise to the level of the other skin and that the pigment would likely come back in a few months. It has been a while though and I am not seeing any changes. The dermatologist said just to put neosporin on it, is there anything else that could possibly stimulate or improve the healing process while I wait this period out? And what about massaging the area to break any dark circles that might form around it?
Thanks!
Joseph :: 2 years, 10 months after
Joseph,
It may or may not raise back up or return to your normal skin color. This will depend on the depth of the burn that was caused when removing the wart. Typically liquid Nitrogen is used to burn warts off and if used to too deep a depth, in the skin, it can create the things you describe. Ask your Dermatologist, but it sounds like only time will tell.
Dr Francis Palmer
Beverly Hills Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
What’s Your Number…the palmer code book
drfpalmer :: 2 years, 10 months after
Thanks Dr. But while I wait it out is there anything that I can do to increase my chances of a better recovery? Or more importantly any thing or product I should avoid? I have been looking at Bio Oil, Scar Zone, Neosporin, etc.
Also, is there any treatment that you recommend, either now or after the scar heals for a few months (I think most of the suggestions above are for raised scars)?
Thanks!
Joseph :: 2 years, 10 months after
Joseph,
There is a product called Scar Fade that might be useful and after a few months find a Dermatologist in your area that has an IPL machine. IPL treatments can lighten scars.
Dr Francis Palmer
Beverly Hills Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
What’s Your Number…the palmer code book
drfpalmer :: 2 years, 10 months after
Thanks doc. And one more thing – does massaging help to break up odd formations of collagen?
Joseph :: 2 years, 10 months after
I’d ask the Dermatologist before massaging the scar. Seems like that would just irritate the scar.
Dr Francis Palmer
drfpalmer :: 2 years, 11 months after
DEAR DOCTOR,
I AM A 19 YR OLD FEMALE. WHEN I WAS 4 I HAD CHICKEN POX AND MY MOTHER DIDN’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HOW TO TREAT THEM. SO I SCRATCHED ALOT AND I NOW HAVE SCARS BECAUSE I PICKED AT MY SORES.
NOW I HAVE VERY UGLY SCARS AND THEIR ON MY LEGS AND ARMS BUT NOT FACE. SOME OF THEM ALSO COME FROM BUG BITES. BUT I AM VERY ASHAMED OF THEM I WEAR LONG EVERYTHING, EVEN DURING THE SUMMER. I AM AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WITH BROWN SKIN. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO SO THAT THEY BLEND WITH MY SKIN???
VERONICA :: 3 years after
Veronica,
You may want to see a dermatologist for advice.
Dr Francis Palmer
drfpalmer :: 3 years, 2 months after