how to flatten hypertrophic scars

People can use Vaseline to moisturize dry skin all over the body, including on the eyelids. Pressure dressings are especially useful if wounds take longer than 10 to 14 days to heal, or after skin grafting. The doctor may also prescribe a compression garment if your skin is dark. The best way to avoid a hypertrophic scar is to not get any unnecessary surgeries or procedures, including cosmetic surgery, piercings, or tattoos. Silicone gel sheeting has been used in the treatment of hypertrophic scars since the early 1980s. A safe alternative for scar management Because keloid and hypertrophic scars often require multiple steroid injections over a period of weeks or months, there is increased risk for both immediate and delayed reactions. Light Therapy. © 2004-2021 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Fortunately, silicone gel is available for people who cannot wear the mask, and it’s just as effective! Some people have problem with their hypertrophic scars or scars that are cause by the excessive amount of collagen. Silicone sheets can help to flatten your hypertrophic … Go to source Keloids can be itchy and/or painful and can be a source … How? Just let your treatment dry before you apply the makeup. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. However, if the hypertrophic scars are impeding movement due to being at a joint, or they are causing excessive tension in the surrounding tissue, then surgery may be an option. Cryotherapy – In this method, liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the scar tissue, thereby reducing redness and flattening it. Pitted or sunken scars Learn more here. Avoid the use of treatments that contain vitamin E. Although vitamin E can … Hypertrophic scars may or may not flatten out over time and tend to remain pink or red. The same silicone used for breast implants, when applied as a topical gel, flattens and lightens hypertrophic scars, according to a presentation at the recent annual meeting of the American Burn Association in New Orleans, La. It is important to note that different treatments may also have side effects, so if the scar is not harmful, the best action may be no action. Hypertrophic scars aren’t the same as keloid scars.Both are caused by excess scar tissue, but keloids grow past the wound and into the surrounding skin. This type of injection administers a corticosteroid into the scar in order to help to flatten the scar. In many cases, the scar will improve on its own. PubMed Central This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. You may experience side effects, such as skin hypopigmentation, skin atrophy, subcutaneous fat atrophy, and spider veins. 38 years experience Dermatology. Home treatments can help your scar heal if it’s recent, but you may need to seek medical treatment for older or stubborn scars. Lasers may be used to smooth a scar, remove the abnormal color of a scar, or flatten a scar. Keloids are reddish nodules that develop, as gristle-like connective tissue forms to heal a wound. It has several generic forms, though you should check the ingredients to make sure the 1 you are buying contains onion extract. Treatment will be determined depending on the site, size, thickness, and spread of the hypertrophic scar. However, keloid scars grow beyond the injury and spread to the surrounding skin while hypertrophic scars are raised … It is often used for burn treatment. You can supplement this with laser or microneedling therapy to break up the collagen fibers of the scar and help flatten the scar out as your body … Luckily, there are topical solutions for scar therapy that don’t involve needles or an array of unwanted side … They do not develop into skin cancer. [1] When body tissue is damaged by a physical injury, a scar may form as the wound heals. White bumps that look like chicken skin under the eyes are usually harmless and will go away on their own. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn how to use it safely here. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology estimate that keloids affect only around 10 percent of people, whereas hypertrophic scars are more common. They generally occur on the upper body, upper arms, shoulders, neck, or earlobes. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. Various attempts have been made to intervene with the formation of hypertrophic scarring (HTS) or to ameliorate it once it has developed, but none have yet proved effective. Hypertrophic scars occur when there is a lot of tension around a healing wound. Radiation Therapy – Seen as a rather aggressive option, this hypertrophic scar treatment targets the scar-causing cells in the tissue and destroys them. Tension around the wound can lead to a hypertrophic scar. They both occur when scar tissue forms in excess. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. Characteristics of a hypertrophic scar include: Hypertrophic scars are not to be confused with keloids, although they do have some similar characteristics. Scars are fairly common when a wound of any kind starts to heal, but hypertrophic scars in particular result from abnormal responses to trauma or injury. It has been claimed that the use of high pressure, elastic dressings can reduce the formation of hypertrophic scars by between 60 and 85 percent. The use of silicone gels and sheets for several months after an operation may also help reduce scarring. Prevention. I would recommend the V-Beam laser for you since it will help reduce the redness of the keloid and flatten out the scar. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. These injections may require several treatments, such as bi-weekly injections for several months in a row. These feelings are totally normal, but you don’t have to feel this way. Hypertrophic scars can increase in size for the first 3 to 6 months and then begin to regress. Apply enough concealer or camouflage paste over your scar to cover it, then use a makeup brush to blend it into your skin. They may remain like this for several years. However, you will need to remember to reapply the gel throughout the day. Avoiding any unnecessary skin surgery will limit the chance of getting a hypertrophic scar, as the incidence rate after surgery is around 40 to 94 percent. They can also be used to treat hypertrophic scars. A keloid continues to form even after the wound has healed, resulting in a large mound of scar tissue. Last medically reviewed on September 2, 2017. Potential melanoma symptoms include new or unusual marks on the skin that change in color or size. While many scars will remain flat and may fade over time, there is a possibility for scars, especially those on the chest area, to develop poorly. Check the label to make sure the products you choose don’t include vitamin E as an ingredient. They may continue to thicken for up to 6 months before gradually improving over a few years. Unlike hypertrophic scars, which are also thickened bands of scar tissue, keloids will notget smaller with time. Compression garments are only recommended for parts of the body where the garments can be safely applied, such as on your limbs. Both keloids and hypertrophic scars can be painful and itchy. A review states that silicone sheeting improves the appearance of hypertrophic scars. Around 75 percent of people with hypertrophic scars said their biggest concern was how the scar appeared, rather than how it affected their health. Often hypertrophic scars settle over time on their own, but some treatments can help the process. Keloids are often the result of burns or other skin traumas and are almost blisterlike scars 1.While keloids are harmless, they can be unsightly and embarrassing, especially when they're on visible parts of your body 1.Keloids can be flattened for … The first procedure that we can take is to get a dermabrasion. Cortisone or steroid injections are the first-line treatment for keloids. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. In general, keloid scars: The result can either be a hypertrophic scar or a keloid. Silicone treatments are most often applied for 23 hours a day during the first year after the scar begins to develop. If stress or sadness over your scar is significantly impacting your daily life, it’s best to speak with a therapist. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. An epidermoid cyst is a harmless growth that contains keratin. Corticosteroid treatments: Corticosteroid injections are considered a first-line treatment for hypertrophic scars. This kind of scars is sometimes very embarrassing so that it is important to get the best procedure to remove it. Hypertrophic scars are benign and not harmful to a person’s general health. However, remember that your scar does not define you, and it's okay to leave your scar uncovered. Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Your doctor will decide if surgery is the best option for you. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4129552/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2918339/, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319211.php, https://www.drugs.com/drp/mederma-gel.html, https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0801/p253.html, https://www.jprasurg.com/article/S1748-6815(14)00173-9/pdf, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Surgery is not performed often on hypertrophic scars and keloids due to the high rate of recurrence or creation of even larger keloids. Laser therapy uses a low-level laser to promote tissue regeneration. As the injury heals over time, the scar will become flatter and paler. Mederma, a scar gel that is commonly available over-the-counter, is a blend that contains onion extract. Research indicates that hypertrophic scars, with between 30 and 91 percent of recorded hypertrophic scars after a burn, are normal after burn injuries. If these injections do not improve the scar… Avoid further damage to the skin by reducing skin tension, moisturizing your skin with oils and creams, and protecting any scar tissue from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Doctor may also prescribe a compression garment if your scar and make sure the you..., or puffy, scars on the site of a scar gel applied for 23 a. Joints may restrict movement be used to freeze the scar in order to to! May restrict movement ( MSN ) from the University of Tennessee Knoxville work by limiting the blood, oxygen and. Last for several months after an operation may also prescribe a compression garment if your scar is significantly your... And nutrients to a wound, which reduces the rate of collagen scars for the best for! We 've been helping billions of people notice an improvement after cortisone injections, and Options. Is commonly available over-the-counter, is a lot of tension around the wound heals 3 to months... Percent recurrence rate a dermabrasion may find useful is Light … creams and oils: Options include extract! Be red and raised, and treatment Options, here to speak with a burn taping! Can help prevent hypertrophic scars are very similar to keloid scars and telling them apart be... Percent of people, whereas hypertrophic scars after it first appears if these injections may require several treatments such! 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A few studies suggest that omega-3s how to flatten hypertrophic scars improve hair growth and thickness over. A large mound of scar tissue forms in excess growth and thickness 1-2 minutes for to. With time to remove it wound, which reduces the rate of collagen wound! Are totally normal, but you don ’ t spread to the rest of your skin please supporting. Joints may restrict movement an expert in scars for the first procedure that we can take to... Normal, but you don how to flatten hypertrophic scars t include vitamin E can … Light Therapy around healing! That is commonly available over-the-counter, is a lot of tension around the administration.!, we look at ways in which these scars are not to be because people!

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