Hypertrophic Scar Reduction
Scars cause visible skin irregularity in both color and texture. While mild scars have a plethora of cosmetic solutions, such as scar reduction creams and lotions with bleaching agents, moderate to severe scar remedies are more limited. Hypertrophic scars are dramatic in appearance, and therefore more difficult to eliminate. Fortunately, there are cosmetic solutions available, most of which require invasive surgery.
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Identification
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As wounds heal, scars are formed by either too little or too much collagen tissue, which is the skin's natural fibrous protein. Moderate to severe scarring, such as hypertrophic scarring, develops from too much collagen. They're raised, firm, pink-red lesions that form over the original area of skin trauma. The large, thick bundles of abnormal collagen can occur on any body part where the skin has been injured.
Hypertrophic Vs. Keloids
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Hypertrophic scars are less severe than keloid scars, which spread beyond the injured area and may continue to grow long after the wound has healed. While somewhat similar in appearance and often paired in medical discussion, hypertrophic scars and keloid scars differ in intensity and manageability, since hypertrophic scars are the milder of the two.
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Steroid Injections
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Steroid injections are a common treatment for hypertrophic scars. Patients receive triamcinolone injections directly into the scar every four to six weeks, which lightens the scar color and eventually flattens the scar and diminishes its size. While this treatment is effective and has minimal side effects, the healing process can be slow. Results of this scar reduction treatment are permanent.
Laser Treatment
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Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) treatment is the most common laser treatment used to reduce hypertrophic scars. They use high-intensity laser beams to penetrate the skin's surface and destroy the blood vessels of the target area, promoting new cell generation and normal collagen growth, healing the scar from the inside out. PDL is highly effective for flattening and reducing the appearance of hypertrophic scars, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. Risks include hypopigmentation (light skin patches) in dark skin and hyperpigmentation (dark skin patches) in light skin.
Silicone Treatment
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Silicone is another method used to reduce hypertrophic scarring. Silicone sheets may be obtained either by prescription or over the counter and are placed with pressure over the scar area, eventually reducing the scar's size with multiple applications. According to NutraLegacy.com's article, "All You Needs to Know about Hypertrophic Scar Treatment," silicone treatment works best on new scars, but may have an effect on reducing older scars as well. Consult a dermatologist before trying this option.
Surgery
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When non-surgical treatments are found to be ineffective, surgical removal of hypertrophic scars is always an option. Surgical scar removal requires an anesthetic, as the entire scar tissue is removed. Post surgery often involves additional treatment with some other method of scar reduction, such as silicone sheet or gel applications. According to Bradon J Wilhelmi, MD, for eMedicine, surgery complications include an increase in scarring or the recurrence of the scar over a wider skin area, infection, pain, delayed healing and the need for additional surgery.
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