Table of contents:
- What to know about scars
- How to get rid of scars the right way
- Drugs
- Tretinoin
- Proactive gel
- Hydroquinone
- Drinking antibiotics
- Another way to get rid of scars
- Dermabrasion
- Microdermabrasion
- Steroid injections
- Laser resurfacing
- Scar revision
When you get a wound, in addition to dealing with the pain, you may often worry about the scars that will be left after it heals. Is there a proper way to get rid of scars?
What to know about scars
For some people, scars on the skin are thought to interfere with appearance. However, you don't need to worry because there are various ways you can do to get rid of scars.
The scar itself is actually part of the wound healing process. This occurs because a new patch of skin tissue grows over the wound. These scars can arise from pimples or open sores that then traumatize the skin.
Scars can appear in different forms: some are thicker, some are red, some are more shiny.
There are several things that can affect the appearance of a scar, including how big and deep the wound is and where it is located.
However, in general, scars appear as follows.
- Fine-line scars, usually arising from minor wounds, are first red streaks that gradually turn to brown or white streaks.
- Keloid scars, excess tissue growth due to too much collagen production in the wound. It is characterized by a thickening of the skin whose appearance contrasts with the surrounding skin.
- Hypertrophic scars (similar to keloids), these scars are thickening of the skin in the area of the wound. The difference is, this wound thickening does not extend beyond the boundaries of the original wound.
- Sunken scars, often caused by skin conditions such as acne and chickenpox.
- Contracture scars, making the skin look pulled. Usually caused by burns.
Actually, scars can disappear over time, but there are some stubborn scars that can interfere with a person's appearance.
How to get rid of scars the right way
There are many ways that can be taken to get rid of scars. Here are among them.
Drugs
Usable drugs come in a variety of forms. Your doctor can prescribe which creams, treatments or oral medications are suitable for your needs and goals.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin or Retin-A is a medicinal cream made from vitamin A. This skin vitamin can heal scars and help new skin grow by encouraging collagen formation.
Collagen plays an important role in covering the scars from the scars.
However, tretinoin can cause skin to become sensitive to sunlight. For this reason, it is advisable to use a cream containing tretinoin at night before going to bed to reduce the risk to the skin due to sun exposure.
Proactive gel
Gel containing proactive ingredients such as aloe vera, cepalin, allantoin is one of the drugs recommended as a way to get rid of scars.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, this gel can effectively protect your skin from the sun, considering that sunlight can make the wound area brown.
Usually, this gel is applied at least half an hour before going outside. If you are out for a long time or are involved in water activities, reapply this medication every two hours as a quick way to get rid of scars.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a substance commonly used to whiten skin. In addition, hydroquinone can also lighten the appearance of scars.
Medicines containing Hydroquinone are usually available at pharmacies or drug stores with a dose of 2 percent on each package with a different brand. More severe injuries may require a doctor's prescription.
Drinking antibiotics
Especially for scars caused by acne, ranging from moderate to severe, you may need oral antibiotics to reduce bacteria and fight inflammation from the body.
Usually the doctor will prescribe antibiotics such as tetracyclines.
Antibiotics are best used with retinol for the skin and benzoyl peroxide. Studies have found that using topical benzoyl peroxide along with oral antibiotics can reduce the risk of developing antibiotic resistance.
Another way to get rid of scars
If medicines still don't get rid of the scar, there are other ways or procedures that can be followed to get rid of the annoying scar.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a procedure that uses special tools to scrape the surface of the skin where the scar is located. As a result, this treatment will make the new skin layer look smoother.
Usually this procedure is done on scars that have a lumpy shape or are higher than the surrounding skin.
Microdermabrasion
Similar to dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is performed for smaller or more superficial sections of the wound. Some of the skin problems that can be treated with this procedure are light acne scars, fine lines, age spots, and dullness.
Steroid injections
Steroid injections are used to help soften the appearance of scars. This treatment is appropriate for treating hypertrophy or keloid scars.
Later, steroids will be injected into the scar periodically over a long period of time.
Laser resurfacing
Almost similar to dermabrasion, procedure laser resurfacing only requires less recovery time. The laser works to produce a smoother appearance on the scar.
This procedure works from within, precisely on the collagen tissue in the dermis without removing the top layer of skin.
Scar revision
Another way that can be taken is scar revision. Scar revision is a surgical procedure to improve or reduce the appearance of scars.
Depending on the size of the wound, scar revision it can be done under local anesthesia or it can be done under general anesthesia.
Keep in mind, various other ways to get rid of the scars above may not be entirely effective.
In addition, consider what procedure to choose, including the risks and costs that will be incurred. Construct on a dermatologist for the best solution.