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