Facial scars can be a result of various causes, for instance, accidental injuries, skin conditions like acne and chicken pox, or even oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures done earlier. Since scars on the face are easily noticeable they can lead to lower self confidence or embarrassment on some occasions. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through the agony that facial scars bring, because there are various treatment options you can choose from to help treat these types of scars.
Laser treatment: Laser resurfacing is one of the popular and best scar removal treatments. This treatment option can be used for many kinds of scars including acne scars. Some of the lasers used in this procedure include;
- Carbon dioxide laser
- Fraxel laser
- Erbium laser
Though the cost of these scar removal treatments can be on the higher side, the results are good and well worth it. You are advised to always seek professional advice before undergoing such a procedure.
Chemical peels: This treatment can be used for dealing with mild scarring on the face. This option incorporates the use of an acidic substance that exfoliates the top layers of the skin. This stimulates the production of new skin cells on the face, making the scars to gradually fade away. You might experience a minor burning sensation while undergoing the procedure, but it ends soon after the procedure is completed. Normally, anaesthesia is not administered during the procedure.
Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion is another treatment option for removing facial scars. If done properly, scars can be smoothened out making the scarred area blend with the surrounding skin on the face. This procedure involves the use of fine crystals which are sandblasted on the skin using a special hand held device. These fine crystals rub away the upper layers of the scar tissue, leaving the facial area with a better appearance. Just like any other facial procedure, you are encouraged to see a dermatologist and discuss the benefits, risks or any other thing associated with this procedure.
Using Scar Creams: Application of scar creams is an effective way of facial scar removal. Some ads claim that certain creams can completely remove scars on the face, this is not entirely true. But if application of creams is done consistently and properly it will significantly improve the appearance of the scarred area. This is an affordable scar treatment option and these creams are easily available at most beauty and drug stores. You should apply facial scar creams after the wound has healed. To get best results, apply the cream at least twice a day for example in the morning before leaving for work and at night before going to bed. This is a good way of treating faint facial scarring.
Augmentation: For deep facial scars which may be resistant against other forms of treatment, you can tryout a procedure called augmentation. This treatment usually involves injecting the scarred area with filler material. This filler material can be collagen, artificially manufactured substances or fat tissue obtained from a different body part. This treatment works well for ice-box scarring or any other kind of deep scarring on the face.
Opting for natural treatment methods: Using natural treatments is also a way of removing facial scars. Some of the natural treatments have good results if done properly and regularly. Examples of natural treatments for facial scar removal:
- Use freshly made cucumber paste and applying it on the scarred area of the face.
- Honey is also good natural remedy of treating facial scars, especially acne scars. One advantage of using honey is that it keeps your skin adequately moisturized.
Facial Scar Revision Surgery
A lot of factors need to be considered before resorting to a scar removal surgery. It has to be done by a well experienced Facio-Maxillary Surgeon who has handled such surgeries before. Dr Pavan M Patil is credited with more than 100 cases of scar revision surgery till date. It would also help if you were referred by someone who has experienced good success in treating scars with the help of the surgeon. Depending on the type and severity of scarring, appropriate scar treatment surgery method could be employed.
Some of the widely used treatment surgery methods include:
Punch Excision: Punch Excision involves surgically removing the portion of the scarred portion of the skin. The skin can then be sutured and left to heal by itself. It is used to treat Ice pick scars that do not cover a huge surface area of the skin. The face would be bandaged after the surgery and no hospitalization would be necessary. This surgery is usually carried out on a local anaesthetic.
Skin Grafting with Punch Excision: At times when the scarred skin covers a large surface area of the skin, punch excision needs to be coupled with skin grafting. Punch excision could be performed as discussed above to scrape out the scarred portion of the skin. Since, the scarred skin surface area is large, a skin graft needs to be performed by taking a portion of skin from the body, usually from the back of the ear and replacing the scraped out pit on the skin caused by the excision of the scar.
Fat Transfer for Scar Pits: This method is used to treat huge pits left by acne scars. Fat taken from the body is injected under the pit. This can cover the depressions left by the acne scar. However, fat needs to be injected from time to time as the skin has the tendency to absorb the fat into its layers.
Precaution needs to be taken before resorting to scar removal surgeries as it opens out the possibility of infections as a result of open wounds. It needs to be done with the hands of an experienced Facio-Maxillary surgeon.
