Scar Treatments Melbourn

Options are available at Chelsea Cosmetics to manage different types of scars.
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Scar Treatments

Scarring occurs when the skin heals after an injury. When the deeper layer of the skin (the dermis) is affected, the body forms new collagen fibres to repair the damage, which can result in a scar.

Scars can appear in different ways. They may be similar to the surrounding skin, lighter (hypopigmented), or darker (hyperpigmented). In some cases, scars such as keloids may extend beyond the original area of injury.

A range of approaches may be considered depending on the type of scar.

Types of Scars That May Be Considered for Treatment

  • Dark or Light Scars: These can form when an injury extends into the dermis. A scar that is lighter or darker than the surrounding skin may develop as healing occurs.
  • Raised Scars: These occur when healing produces raised tissue. This may include keloid scars, which extend beyond the original injury, or hypertrophic scars, which are raised but remain within the border of the injury.
  • Indented Scars: These are often linked with conditions such as acne and occur when less tissue forms during healing, leaving an indentation compared with the surrounding skin.

Non-Surgical Scar Treatments

The following methods can be used individually or together:

Chemical peeling: A chemical solution is used on the skin surface, which peels off the top layers, promoting new cell growth.

Compression Garments: They apply consistent pressure to the skin, which helps soften scar tissue, increase blood flow, and reduce inflammation.

Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy involves freezing the surface of the scar with nitrogen. This causes the scar to blister and shrink, making it less noticeable.

Physiotherapy: Physical therapy includes massaging and stretching the skin around the scar to stimulate healthy cell growth.

Radiotherapy: Used for more difficult cases, such as keloid scars after surgery and may involve multiple sessions.

Silicone: Silicone in the form of a gel can treat hypertrophic scars (raised, thick scars).

Topical Creams: Topical steroid (cortisone) creams can help lessen the intensity of the scar.

Scar Surgery

For those with more severe scarring, scar revision surgery may be an option. Typical surgeries for scars include:

Excision: The excision procedure involves cutting the scar out and repairing it with stitches.

Flap surgery: Another complex procedure is flap surgery, which involves the transfer of healthy skin with fat, blood vessels, and, in some cases, muscle from the donor site to the required area.

Skin graft: This method is the most complex and is typically used for scarring over large, immobile skin areas. Skin grafting involves taking healthy skin from a donor site and placing it in an area where scar tissue has been removed.

Z-Plasty or W-Plasty: These two procedures re-align the scar tissue and are often used when a scar lies across the skin's crease or in a situation that may involve burns. Incisions are made in the shape of a "Z" or "W" across the scar, and the lengths of the Z or W are then crossed over, which helps lessen the length of the scar and increase skin mobility.

Common Questions

The side effects of the treatment include the following:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Itching
  • Temporary skin discolouration (hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation)
  • Blistering
  • Crusting or scabbing
  • Skin infection
  • Changes in skin texture
  • Pain or discomfort during and after the procedure
Multiple treatments are needed as collagen remodelling takes time. The exact number will depend on the type of scar and the severity of the scarring.
The time it takes to see results from scar treatments varies depending on the type of treatment and the individual's skin condition.
The level of discomfort during scar treatments depends on the specific procedure.
Different types of scars may be considered for treatment, such as hypertrophic scars, keloids, atrophic scars (including those from acne), and surgical scars. The suitability of treatment depends on factors such as the type, size, location, and age of the scar. Outcomes can vary between patients.

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