Goodbye to the scar. How to remove scars effectively?
Table of contents:
- Natural but unwanted, or where do scars come from?
- What types of scars are there?
- How to get rid of scars effectively?
- Laser scar removal… but not only!
- Chemical peeling
- Radiofrequency microneedling
- Microneedle mesotherapy
- CO2 laser treatment
- Multifunctional laser treatment
- Thulium laser
- Treatment tailored to the needs
Natural but unwanted, or where do scars come from?
A scar is a natural effect of healing of wounds on the skin. As a result of this process the damaged tissue is replaced with connective tissue, which differs from undamaged skin in terms its colour and structure. Some scars disappear without trace. Others remain large and visible. All depends on the type of lesion, depth of the wound, as well as the type of care for a fresh scar. If there is inflammation after an injury, the risk that the unsightly traces remain increases.
There are several types of scars. Depending on the period since its formation, they may be divided into immature and mature. The first type includes red and slightly convex scars. Sometimes they are itching or painful. The process of scar maturation can take up to 2 years. A mature scar takes a brighter shade than the skin. It is soft and flexible to the touch. A properly healed one should not be raised.
However, depending on the course of healing, there are atrophic scars, hypertrophic scars and keloids.
What types of scars are there?
Not all scars cause discomfort. However, the following three types usually cause the greatest need for patients to deal with them as soon as possible:
Hypertrophic scar occurs as a result of excessive proliferation of connective tissue fibers in the period after wound healing. This type of scar most often occurs in case of infection, but also poor care, e.g. lack of appropriate dressing. Hypertrophic scar is raised relative to healthy skin.
Atrophicscar (also known as depressed scar) is the opposite of hypertrophic scar. Instead of a raised shape, this type of scar is characterised by a round, depressed shape. It is formed as a result of breakdown of collagen fibers. Atrophic scars include stretch marks and acne scars.
Keloids (also known as keloid disorder or keloidal scars) appear when the scar overgrows beyondd the borders of the initial wound and is not subject to regression. Such a lesion has an irregular shape, it is thick, fibrous, red or purple. Keloids tend to relapse.
How to get rid of scars effectively?
Although scars do not pose a threat to health - on the contrary, they are a natural reaction of a healthy body - many patients feel discomfort. Scarring on the face or in other visible areas often contribute to self-esteem problems, and even lack of a sense of attractiveness. If you feel in a similar way, you do not have to put up with it any more! Luckily, contemporary medicine knows effective ways to remove scars.
Basically, the earlier you take care of a freshly healed wound, the greater the chance that the scars will not be visible too much. Many products for this purpose are available in pharmacies, e.g. burn scar ointment or acne scar gels, as well as vitamin A preparations.
Unfortunately, although such measures actually contribute to reducing the visibility of scars, they will not remove them completely. In order to get rid of unwanted scars after chickenpox or burn, you need to seek professional help.
Laser scar removal… but not only!
Laser scar removal is only one of many options available to Sense Med Concept patients, focused on providing medical care in the spirit of a holistic approach to health - in the scope of aesthetic medicine. By choosing the place where a holistic approach dominates, you can be sure that a doctor focused on your needs will set the right direction.
Obviously, every treatment requires an individual approach to the patient. Therefore, at Sense Med Concept, we adjust the type of therapy primarily to the condition and needs of the skin.
How to get rid of a scar effectively and safely? Below there are several modern treatments offered to our patients at Sense Med Concept.
Chemical peeling
As the name suggests, chemical peeling has nothing to do with invasive procedures. Depending on the situation and scale of changes, you choose superficial, medium or deep peeling. The application of one or more chemical substances allows to achieve a controlled skin exfoliation effect. Then the tissue is stimulated and nourished.
One of the main applications of chemical peeling is the removal of acne scars. After this painless, non-invasive treatment, the skin will become smoother and more elastic, and the depth of scars will be significantly reduced. Interestingly, this treatment can also be used to treat active acne.
Radiofrequency microneedling
Applied for the reduction of scars and stretch marks, radiofrequency microneedling treatment involves performing micropunctures of the dermis by means of sterile microneedles, combined with radio wave. The resulting micro-damage stimulates the natural production of collagen, and due to heat energy in the form of radio waves,it simulates collagen and elastin remodelling. Removal of scars by means of radiofrequency microneedling significantly reduces their visibility.
Microneedle mesotherapy
This method is used primarily in the removal of acne scars. However, without typical side effects!
The treatment involves performing micropunctures. Controlled skin damage stimulates regeneration processes, increases the production of elastin and collagen, making it a significant contribution to reducing the visibility of scars.
CO2 laser treatment of scars
Laser removal of scars is the most commonly known method that allows removal of e.g. post-operative scars or scarrs after removal of a mole. CO2 laser is based on the use of high heat energy, which stimulates tissue to produce new collagen. It also shows an ablative effect - it enables evaporation of the top layers of the epidermis.
Multifunctional laser treatment
Multifunctional laser platform utilizes several laser technologies. Depending on the type of head used, it allows, among others, to reduce hyperpigmentation, even out the skin tone, remove tattoos, and reduce scars and stretch marks.
Thulium laser
The thulium laser is an alternative to the ablative laser and it combines the features of ablative and non-ablative technologies. It allows remodeling of the skin structure due to its deep penetration and supply of high energy. The thulium laser has a delicate effect, thanks to which the recovery period is significantly shortened.
When it comes to laser scar removal, the final price depends, among other things, on the type of lesions and the number of recommended treatments.
Treatment tailored to the needs
The above description is not an exhaustive list of all treatments performed in order to reduce scars. Others include also the use of a radio wave and endermology. The most important thing is to find a solution, together with the treating doctor, adjusted to the individual needs and implement it effectively under the guidance of experienced specialists.
References:
Przewłocka-Gągała M. Współczesny model postępowania z problemem blizn w kosmetologii i medycynie estetycznej [in:] „Aesth Cosmetol Med.” 2021;10(1), pp. 39-47.
Zastawny O., Czas, który leczy rany, czyli o powstawaniu blizn u człowieka [w:] „Wszechświat” Vol. 115, no. 4-6/2014 pp. 120-124.
Article by Sense Med Concept