Scars treatment
Traditional treatments
Fillers and topical treatments – plastic surgeons have used injectable collagen fillers for some time now to improve the appearance of acne scarring. While they are effective their impact is fairly temporary and repeated use is required. In addition some people can have allergic reactions to the fillers used. In addition to fillers there are many formulas, ointments and creams that can make some improvement to scarring. Retinoids can be effective in treating new inflamed scars while creams containing glycolic acid and L-ascorbic acid can improve the appearance of mature white scars slightly if used daily.
Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure in which the physician attempts to make scars less noticeable by sanding them using a tool with a metal wheel that has a rough surface. By removing a superficial layer of skin dermabrasion aims to rejuvenate the scar tissue as a new layer of remodeled skin replaces the damaged tissue. Local anesthesia is injected into the area before the treatment. When the procedure is over, the skin looks like it has been rubbed vigorously with a metal brush leaving a tender shallow wound which takes a few weeks to heal. Because some bleeding will occur, a dressing is applied to the area immediately after treatment.
Surgical revision of scars: Z-plasty is a surgical technique used to reposition a scar so that it conforms more closely to the natural lines and creases of the skin. However not all scars lend themselves to Z-plasty and it requires an experienced plastic surgeon to make such judgements. Skin Grafts -- Skin grafts are more serious than other forms of scar surgery. They're more likely to be performed in a hospital as inpatient procedures requiring a general anesthesia. The treated area may be painful and take several weeks or months to heal. Although skin grafts can greatly improve the function of a badly scarred area, the cosmetic results are not always satisfactory since the transferred skin may not precisely match the color and texture of the surrounding skin.
Laser treatment
Fotona's Er:YAG lasers work by removing ultra fine layers of the scarred skin. This has two effects, firstly it softens the transition between the scarred tissue and the normal skin surrounding it. Secondly it stimulates the production of new collagen in the scarred area thereby enhancing the skin's capacity to regenerate new cells. Overall the skin is flattened, remodelled and tightened.
While laser treatment of all scars is an effective and superior alternative to traditional treatments, laser treatment of atrophic scars caused by acne or surgery is particularly effective. One study showed that in the treatment of a group of 78 patients 70-90% showed a significant improvement in acne scarring when treated with a Er:YAG laser. In addition the use of Er:YAG lasers has also been shown to be particularly effective in the treatment of scars caused by burns.
Fotona's Fidelis and Dualis range are ideally suited for scar resurfacing.