How to treat a scar?

The scars are part of the natural process of healing of the skin after an injury. Whether they are caused by a cut, a burn,acne surgical procedure, they can sometimes be unsightly and cause itching or discomfort. To effectively treat a scar, it's essential to understand how scar tissue forms and what options exist toreduce its appearance.

1. Topical Treatments: An Essential First Step

Healing Creams and Specific Ointments

Creams play a crucial role in the healing process by providing essential hydration and stimulating cell regeneration. Creams containing collagen, vitamin E, or hyaluronic acid are particularly effective at softening the skin and reducing the appearance of scars.

  • Hyaluronic Acid: It promotes deep hydration and helps rebuild skin tissues.
  • Vitamin E: Known for its antioxidant properties, it helps protect and repair the skin.
  • Shea Butter: Renowned for its nourishing benefits, it improves scar elasticity.

Silicone Gel

Silicone gels or sheets are recommended for hypertrophic and keloid scars. They create an occlusive barrier that hydrates and reduces the excessive growth of scar tissue. Regular use can reduce the redness and thickness of the scar within a few months.

Vegetable and Essential Oils

Oils like rosehip, argan, or lavender promote healing and regeneration. They can be gently massaged onto the scar to soften it and reduce redness.

2. Specialized Medical Treatments: For More Noticeable Results

Corticosteroid Injections

Corticosteroid injections are used to reduce inflammation and flatten hypertrophic and keloid scars. They work by inhibiting the excessive production of collagen. This treatment requires several sessions and is usually performed by a dermatologist.

Fractional and Ablative Laser

Laser treatments are particularly effective for acne scars and deep scars.

  • Fractional Laser: This laser targets the deep layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production while preserving surrounding tissues. It improves the texture and appearance of the scar.
  • Ablative Laser: This treatment removes the top layer of skin, encouraging new skin to form. It is often used for older or more stubborn scars.

Dermabrasion and Chemical Peel

These techniques involve exfoliating the skin's surface to reduce superficial scars and improve the appearance of deep scars.

  • Dermabrasion: This mechanical method removes the top layer of the epidermis. It is effective for acne scars and surgical scars.
  • Chemical Peel: Uses fruit acids (AHA) to stimulate cell renewal and reduce redness.

Reconstructive Surgery or Surgical Revision

For significant scars, such as those resulting from large injuries or C-sections, surgical intervention may be necessary. This technique involves removing the scar and stitching more precisely. This type of treatment is often combined with compression dressings to minimize the risk of recurrence.

3. Complementary Methods to Improve the Appearance of Scars

Compression Dressings

Often used after a burn or plastic surgery, compression dressings help control scar tissue formation by applying uniform pressure. This limits scar thickening and prevents the formation of keloids.

Regular Massages

Massaging the scar with a specific cream or oil promotes tissue regeneration and softens scar tissue. Massages also help reduce subcutaneous adhesions and improve blood circulation in the treated area.

Cryotherapy

This technique uses liquid nitrogen to destroy excessive tissue in keloid scars. Although cryotherapy can be painful, it offers visible results after several sessions.

4. Innovations and Emerging Treatments

Microneedling

This technique uses micro-needles to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. It is particularly effective for acne scars and superficial surgical scars.

Radiofrequency Treatment

Radiofrequency heats the deep layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production and improve the appearance of atrophic scars.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injection

This treatment uses the patient's own blood, enriched with platelets, to accelerate the healing process. It is increasingly used in dermatology to treat deep scars and improve skin texture.

Back to blog