Scars are ubiquitous:  the vast majority of people have at least one scar.  Scars occur at sites of full thickness skin injury which can be caused by surgical incisions, deep burns, lacerations, infections, or even severe acne.  Most scars do not draw undue attention to themselves, and are of little concern to the patient.  However, some scars become unsightly, and may even require medical or surgical treatment.

Nonsurgical management of scars includes scar massage, sun avoidance, topical silicone, steroid injections and pressure.  Surgical options include excision and closure, dermabrasion, and laser.  Some severe forms of scarring, such as keloids, are best treated with a combination of surgical excision followed by immediate irradiation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimate that 161,000 scar revision procedures were performed in 2010.  This was a 6% decrease from 2009.

As I have described in the past, it is much more effective to prevent troublesome scars than it is to treat them.  Adequate prevention includes meticulous surgical technique, prevention of invention, and appropriate post-operative management.  Tension on the wound closure can be decreased by taping incisions, and by using absorbable sutures which remain in the wound for at least six weeks.  In addition, we frequently encourage patients to perform scar massage and to use a topical treatment which contains silicone.

Recently, I had the opportunity to help out with an article discussing scars which was written by Joanne Fox.  The article appeared in the print and online editions of the Sioux City Journal.  Click here to read the article.