Wednesday, September 2, 2009

What Is the Best Scar Treatment?

By Sarah J. Eldred

Many scars will fade with time, but for those that don't there are options available to minimize the appearance of scars. Scar treatments run the gamut of home-remedies to surgical procedures - inexpensive to expensive - and the results will vary depending on the magnitude of the scarring.

For light scars that are only slightly noticeable, there are at-home treatments such as Curad Scar Therapy. These strips contain no harsh chemicals, but the natural ingredients help stimulate the skin to produce new cells and make scars "disappear."

For darker, more prominent scars, a physician or dermatologist can prescribe Retin-A, Scar FX, or another cream that is applied to the scarred area to stimulate skin regrowth. Dermatologists also recommend Mederma, another sheet/strip treatment that works in the same manner to improve the skin's appearance.

However, if these treatments simply will not prove effective, your dermatologist may recommended a surgical option to help promote new cell growth. Dermatologists and physicians can offer either laser or conventional surgery options.

While laser treatment is less invasive, it can be more expensive because multiple treatments may be necessary to obtain results. The laser process treats the scar by removing the blood vessels responsible for the redness, then the scar is healed when new skin cells develop.

Although a conventional surgical procedure can remove all of the scarred skin, the work needed to cover that area by stitching and/or skin grafting can create new scars. However, some people believe the original scars look much worse than the smaller scars resulting from surgery.

However, attempting to prevent scarring in the first place is the most effective method. Events such as pregnancy, surgery, or weight fluctuations, can potentially cause scarring, but can be minimized by using creams and lotions to help the skin promote new cell growth to fight any damage.

But for some, scars are the result of accidents or unforeseeable events and in those cases; treatment of the scar is the best option. So, it's nice to know that there are several options available to those who need scar treatment.

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