Are you interested in learning more about scar treatment? Here is the ultimate guide on how to get rid of scars for good.
Did you know that more than 100 million scars occur worldwide every year? Most of these scars occur after surgery but can also result from acne, injury, or burns. The problem with scars is that they are often permanent once they form, but how true are they?
Many people believe that once they have a scar there is nothing they can do to make it disappear. However, thanks to today's technology and new scar treatment options in the skincare industry, there are actually several ways you can reduce the appearance of your scars.
Scar Treatment: How To Get Rid Of Scars
Laser Therapy
Laser skin resurfacing has become very popular in recent years for its ability to smooth facial skin and reduce the appearance of scars and other skin blemishes. Laser therapy may sound scary, but it's actually quite safe.
This procedure works by using a special laser that targets the top layer of the skin as well as the blood vessels in the treatment area. This is mainly a treatment for facial scars, although there are cases where you can get this type of treatment on other body parts. The goal of the laser is to remove the top layer of skin over the scar.
Scar tissue is very different from regular skin tissue, which is much denser and more fibrous. It is formed as a result of an injury and it is the body's way of healing itself and making itself stronger than before. Of course, the body doesn't really care about the appearance of scars.
What you need to know
Scars may be flat or raised and come in various shapes and patterns. Laser therapy is very effective for flattening raised scars. This can make it less visible from different angles and the scar will blend in better with the rest of your skin.
For flat scars, laser therapy can still remove the top layer of skin and help match the color of the scar to your normal skin tone. Keep in mind that laser therapy may not completely remove your scars. Most people who try this therapy are happy with the results.
After the procedure, your skin will be very sensitive. For this reason, you should stay out of the sun and avoid anything that can further irritate your skin. After some time, your skin will recover and you will notice that your skin will be smoother than before.
The only drawback is that this treatment is quite expensive. Each session ranges between $1,000 and $2,000. If you don't have this money to spend, what's the next best acne scar treatment you can try?
Silicone gel
You may not have heard of silicone gel being used to treat scars before. This is because silicone gel isn't as popular as other treatments, but that doesn't mean it can't work. On the other hand, many people who try this gel for their scars find that silicone gel can do wonders.
Silicone gel works because of how it affects the scar formation process. As scars begin to form, cells called fibroblasts start producing collagen. Usually, collagen is very useful in your skin as it makes the skin supple and supple.
However, during the process of scar formation, fibroblasts end up producing too much collagen. When this gets tough, fibrous tissue is created, which results in a scar. This excess collagen is also what makes scars raised or discolored.
Silicone gel works by interfering with the ability of fibroblasts to produce collagen. It does this by targeting the stratum corneum, the top layer of the skin. By hydrating this top layer, the gel controls fibroblasts and reduces their collagen production.
While the gel cannot completely stop the fibroblasts' collagen production, reducing the amount of collagen produced is still very helpful as it makes the resulting scar much softer. As such, silicone gel is an excellent way to prevent scarring, but it's also a great way to treat existing scars.
Another way silicone gel helps, is by preventing bacteria from attacking the scar tissue. This is important because certain types of bacteria can cause the skin to produce more collagen, worsening the appearance of scars. But what about really old scars?
Healing Scars
Old scars have gone through a period of excess collagen production. Silicone gel aims to treat these scars by softening them.
As mentioned earlier, this gel primarily targets the stratum corneum layer of skin. By providing this layer with plenty of moisture, as a result, the scar tissue begins to soften.
Softening the scar and keeping it moisturized is very important because scar tissue is usually quite stiff and dry, which can make its appearance worse. By using the silicone gel daily for a few weeks or months, you will start to see improvement in your scars. Once the scar becomes softer, it will no longer be raised and the color will also be softer.
On the one hand, silicone gel gives scar tissue a chance to "relax" or heal. While this gel may not be able to get rid of your scars completely, they will still make some significant changes to their appearance. Many people who use this gel are pleased with the results after a few weeks or months of use.
Chemical Peel
Chemical peels are very popular among people who want brighter, cleaner, and smoother skin, regardless of whether they have scars. First, you should know that there are many types of chemical peels, from mild to deep.
Light peels use relatively gentle ingredients to exfoliate the top layer of your skin. This can make your skin look much fresher than before. It can also increase the skin cell turnover rate, which can also help make skin look smoother. However, since this is a very superficial chemical peel, it won't do much for acne scars or other types of scars.
Trichloroacetic or TCA peels, on the other hand, go deeper into the skin. They are considered moderate chemical peels because they penetrate the skin more deeply than superficial peels, but are not as harsh as deep peels. TCA peels are best for mild acne scars and hyperpigmented patches.
Since exfoliation is getting deeper into the skin, you may need to apply a numbing cream to your face beforehand to tolerate the discomfort. Also, after peeling, your face will be very sensitive. Therefore, you should stay out of the sun and use sunscreen sparingly, while avoiding anything that could irritate or damage your skin.
Finally, there is a deep peel that penetrates the skin very deeply. This peel is best for deep, old scars that other treatments can't repair. Remember that deep peels are considered a serious procedure and you will likely need general anesthesia.
You will also need to wear a bandage while you recover from the peel. Many people are wary of deep peels because they take a long time to recover, often weeks or even months. During this time, you must maintain the bandage and keep your face very clean to prevent infection. While it's a lot of work, deep exfoliating results are most beneficial for tough scars.
What You Need To Know About Scar Treatment
Scar treatment is not what it used to be; nowadays, there are many options. Laser resurfacing and chemical peels are quite popular, but if you want something more economical and comfortable, start with silicone gel. The silicone gel only softens the scar and allows it to breathe.