Trauma and surgery may cause unsightly scars. In order to combat this, we offer a number of different treatment options that may dramatically improve their appearance. Keloids are a more difficult problem but some treatments may keep them at bay or remove them permanently.
Different scars require different treatments. A few common scars include:
Facial scars can be unattractive simply because of where they appear on the face, while others affect facial expressions.
All surgical possibilities will be discussed in the initial consultation along with the risks involved for each type of scarring.
The goal of facial scar treatment is to disguise the scar, relocate it, or minimise its prominence.
Important factors to be discussed with your doctor include:
Different types of scars respond to different surgical techniques. A person considering facial scar revision must understand that there is no way to remove scars completely.
We usually advise against any scar revision in cases where the scar is less than a year old.
Because scars are highly individualistic and the patient’s attitude toward scars is so personal, maximum improvement in facial scars may require more than one procedure. More than one technique may be employed.
The following is a general description of the surgery. Remember, each patient’s individual needs and features are considered before surgery.
Laser resurfacing is a method a doctor uses to make “rough or elevated” scars less prominent by removing part of the upper layers of skin with an abrading tool or laser light. The scar will remain, but it will be smoother and less visible.
Keloids or hypertrophic scars are often treated first with injections of steroids to reduce their size. If this is not satisfactory, the scars can be removed surgically, and the incisions closed with fine stitches, often resulting in less prominent scars.
The treatment option will be discussed with your doctor and depend on the scar location, size and characteristics. It will also depend on your reasons for having treatment in the first place, i.e. is your scar causing you distress because of its appearance.
We offer three main treatments:
Steroid treatment: An injectable steroid, Triamcinolone is used. It is a quick treatment usually of a 5-15 minutes duration once the diagnosis and treatment options have been discussed. We use small amounts of steroid injections on repeated occasions to reduce or flatten mature scars (Scars which are older than 12months), usually 4-6 weeks apart.
Surgical scar revision: This technique is used to reposition or reduce the size of the scar. The techniques we use include:
Excision and direct skin closure is the surgical removal of the scar out and closure of the skin with stitches to create a more cosmetically appealing scar. Excision and realignment is the surgical removal of the scar and a change of direction in order to make the scar lie in the body’s natural relaxed skin tension line. On occasion those with transverse self harm scars on the arm will opt for a long longitudinal scar which has different social connotations.
Laser skin resurfacing: The Erbium YAG and CO2 laser are effective in dealing with scars. They use heat to remove the very top layer of your skin and stimulate the growth of healthy new skin. There is some downtime with lasering. With a surgical scar revision you may need to rest for a day or two.
Keloid is an overgrowth of the scar tissue that develops around a wound, mainly after the wound has healed. Often a hypertrophic scar is mistaken for a keloid. However, keloids grow beyond their original borders of the wound in contrast hypertrophic scars stay within the wound.
There is no real gold standard as the results are variable with many of the treatments and the recurrence rates are high. Steroid injections tend to be the first line in most medical practices. Dr Anthony uses as combination of steroid concentrations during your treatment course.
Avoid piercings, tattoos, unnecessary surgery and any injury to the skin.
Please apply high SPF sunblock (a minimum of SPF30 but ideally SPF50) to protect your skin from direct sun exposure over the treatment period and for a minimum of 6 weeks after the last treatment. Sun beds and sun bathing should be avoided.
Another excellent way to be able to differentiate a keloid from a regular scar is by the signs and symptoms. Keloids are often raised, dome-shaped and have a shiny appearance. They range in colours from dark brown, pink, purple and red, and can be large and unsightly. You may also experience itchiness, tenderness or even pain.
There are also some common areas of the body where keloids are more likely to appear, such as:
The best way to prevent keloids is always prevention. If you have a family history of keloids it is always better to avoid any trauma to the skin no matter how minor, or even body piercings and tattoos as these can encourage keloid growth. When the skin has been injured the use of gentle emollient creams and silicon gels have been documented to help.
Dr Edwin is outstanding. I see Dr Edwin Anthony for my treatments. Excellent professional. I can highly recommend this clinic.
Super impressed by everyone. Really happy with my results, thank you Dr Anthony for looking after me – you really are the dream team. Everyone is very welcoming and put me at ease throughout the process. Highly recommend to anyone!
After doing my research online and reading all the good reviews on Dr Edwin Anthony, I decided to have my Vaser Lipo with Dr Anthony.
I am very pleased with my result so far. He is friendly, caring, and very professional. I was looked after very well from start to finish. Dr Anthony answered all my questions. I am very happy to recommend this clinic.
Ali, the anaesthetist and Dr Edwin are amazing. I would highly recommend him for any procedures. If I could give him more than a 5-star then I would.
