Hypertrophic Scar Healing

Scars are among the most common of skin ailments that people suffer from, usually related to small cuts or scrapes. According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are two standard types of scars, hypertrophic and keloid, each with a distinct characteristic. Hypertrophic scars are typically the most common and do not spread beyond the initial wound, unlike keloid scars. The healing and treatment process takes time, with several different methods to achieve the desired goal.

Functions of Treatment

Over time, hypertrophic scars do heal themselves. They start out being red and puffy, but gradually shrink in size and the color begins to fade, says Medscape. For most people, these are the most common kinds of scars that they see. Treatment to help the healing process can be done at home through a variety of remedies that are inexpensive. Some individuals may desire a quicker alternative and therefore turn to a medical or surgical option.

Home Remedies

The most common and successful home remedies to use when trying to heal a hypertrophic scar are ointments. Attempting to blend the scar into the skin and to reduce any swelling is the main goal of products. Many over-the-counter products claim to work, but typically meet mixed results. A prescription can be obtained for stronger creams that contain steroids, which speed up the recovery time.

Medical Remedies

There are two main options for a person to continue to help treat his or her scar. The first option is to undergo a steroid injection into the scar. Steroid injections result in the healing time being accelerated and will need to be repeated until the scar is completely healed. The second option is to undergo laser surgery on the area. A laser is focused on the scar and forces the tissue to be destroyed over the course of several treatments, says burnsurvivorsTTW.org.

Time Frame

The time frame for each of the options varies. For any home remedy, the results will take the longest to see. It may be months before a noticeable change is seen, which many people may not want to wait for. Steroid injections need to be repeated every four-to-six weeks until the desired look is obtained. This can take two-or-three attempts before a person is satisfied with how the scar looks. According to the University of Maryland, any laser treatment used will take a few weeks to be complete, during which the scar will be destroyed, but the area will need time to heal.

Considerations

Many people have scars, but most do not rise to the level of having to undergo medical treatment for it, or even to use over-the-counter remedies. The Cleveland Clinic says that scars tend to heal themselves naturally, if given time to do so. Before considering any treatment option to expedite the healing process, consult with a doctor to determine the best way to do so, depending on the type of scar you have and the severity of it.

References

• Laser Treatment for Scars
• MedScape: Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars
• University of Maryland

Resources

• Cleveland Clinic: Scars