Category: SKIN

What types of scars are there?

Scars can result from injury to the skin through disease and trauma. Common examples include burn scars, acne scars and surgical scars.

Individual scars can be further classified as raised (hypertrophic or keloid), depressed or atrophic.

Inflammation to the skin can also result in skin colour changes including red scars and scars that are darker than the surrounding skin known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

How do scars form?

Scars are a consequence of injury to the deeper layers of the skin. In some cases there is too much collagen and scar tissue and this results in hypertrophic or keloid scars. Conversely, there may be too little tissue and this leads to indented or atrophic scars. Scars from surgery may also lead to lines, lumps and redness.

Acne scars can be classified according to the shape and depth of scars.

Raised scars such as hypertrophic surgical scars can be treated with injections or laser resurfacing.

Atrophic scars can be treated by fractional ablative laser such as fractional CO2 Laser or non-ablative HLA Fractional PICO Laser. They treat “fractions” or parts of the skin’s surface which enables quicker healing times and safer treatments. Fractional lasers are ideal for acne scars, burn or trauma scars and treating coloured skin types. Laser takes multiple procedures for improvement. For patients with darker skin or prefer less downtime, Fractional RF Microneedling (FRM) is an excellent alternative procedure

Discolored scar can be treated by pigment or vascular laser.

Some scar will benefit from surgical revision or dermal filler.

Also known as Striae.

Stretch marks, as the name suggests, are due to stretching of the skin, which results in tearing of the deeper layer of the skin.

Early stretch marks is purple-red and may be itchy. Over time stretch marks lighten and develop a pale, wrinkled appearance.

Stretch marks are a cosmetic problem which may cause psychological stress to some people. In general, stretch mark does not disappear over time. Early red stretch marks respond better to treatment than older, white stretch marks.

Treatment Stretch Marks

White stretch marks can be very difficult to treat. Expect mild to modest improvement with multiple sessions. Treatment methods include:

Lasers – In old stretch marks, both fractional ablative and non-ablative lasers are more effective than pulse dye lasers. Fractional lasers work by stimulating and remodelling collagen and elastin. At best, this treatment will help to blend the affected and unaffected areas, potentially making them less visible. Three to five treatments may be needed to see some improvement.

What is the likely outcome of Striae?

The majority of stretch marks will improve over time, changing colour from red-purple to pink, then finally achieving a white wrinkled appearance.

Treating early stretch marks with laser treatment combined with vitamin A creams gives the best outcome