Pressure Treatment in Scar Healing

compression garment for torso When an imbalance occurs between the anabolic and catabolic phases of the healing process in a wound somtimes more collagen is produced than the is degradation of collagen in the healing process. This results in the scar growing in all directions. The scar is elevated above the skin and remains hyperemic. This is excessive scar tissue is medically classified either as a keloid or a hypertrophic scar.

There are several nonsurgical options that are utilized to treat of these abnormal type scars. Pressure is a treatment that has demonstrated a level of success in some patients. The use of pressure to treat scars is thought to decrease tissue metabolism and increase collagen breakdown within the wound. Pressue is sometimes used preventatively in patients who have a history of keloid or hypertrophic scarring.

There are various different methods for administering pressure to facilitate this type of treatment including:
• elastic bandages (eg, Ace wraps) for the extremities
• thromboembolic stockings for the feet
• Isotoner-type gloves for the hands.
• custom-fitted compression garments can be used for the more difficult areas ( lower neck and torso).

ACE wraps or stockings are not useful for areas such as the head and face this is primarily because of discomfort and patient compliance Is not likely. Optimal results with latex-free compression garments are achieved usually in 6 -12 months during the maturation of the wound.

Do’s and Dont’s of Reducing Scars

Scars are made up of the protein collagen which is found in the second layer of your skin. When the integrity of the skin is compromised through injury beyond a superficial this layer must repair itself. It is in the body’s only healing process that scarring takes place.

The key to preventing scars is to break up the collagen that collects in the dermal tissue during the healing process. When the collagen does not bond to your skin’s top layer scar formation is reduced.
It is possible to lighten and revision an old scar, your best approach is to limit scars before they form.

DON’T

DON’T Use Hydrogen Peroxide: While the solution cleans, it also destroys new skin cells that immediately begin to grow in the wound. This slows down the healing process and increased the risk of scars forming.

DON’T Treat with Vitamin E. Recent studies show that it, like hydrogen peroxide, vitamin E impairs healing. One-third of people will also develop an allergic reaction to vitamin E.

DON’T Expose To Sun: Ultraviolet rays slow the healing process and can discolor the scar. The sun stimulates the cells that produce pigment, and when your skin is sensitive and healing, it’s prone to discoloration. Cover the wounded skin with a minimum SPF blocker of higher than 15.

DO

DO Cover A Cut: Should a cut “breathe,” or does it require a Band-Aid over it? When you don’t cover a cut, it dries out and scabs over. Scabbing is not a good thing; it only presents a barrier to healing. Treating cuts with Neosporin (or another antibiotic cream) and covering with a band-aid for a week in aids the healing and prevents infections and minor skin wounds. Do this until new skin begins to grow.

DO Place Pressure On Cut:Use special pads that serve to flatten scars. These scars don’t allow the collagen to pop up above the skin when a wound is healing. Some examples of these pads are: Curad Scar Therapy Cosmetic Pads, ReJuveness Pure Silicone Sheeting, Scar Fx and Sypres Scar Sheets.

DO Massage The Wound: Once new skin has grown, massage the mark. Massaging helps break down the dense bonds of collagen. If they are not allowed to take hold, the appearance of the scar will be much less noticeable, or may not form at all. Massage – with lotion – in a circular motion for 15 to 30 seconds a few times a day.

Prevention and Treating Keloid Scars

Severe Keloid Formation

According to American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, a keloid is scar tissue protruding from the skin at the site of an injury. It is caused by fibroblasts (connective tissues) being overactive in the healing process and producing extra tissue. Some people are genetically prone to keloid formation and people with dark skin types are often more at risk, notes the NHS website. For these people, skin damage as small as a pimple or piercing can cause keloid formation.

Step 1
Apply steroid-impregnated tape to the injury site. If you are at risk of developing keloids, preempt their development by applying a dressing doused in a natural steroid like cortisone to the wound for 12 hours a day, notes the NHS website. Alternatively, AOCD notes, use a pressure dressing pad or tape containing silicone gel and where for 24 a day. This also can stop the development of keloids.
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Step 2
Schedule an appointment with your dermatologist to discuss laser treatment for the keloid scar. A heated laser can help reduce skin redness and improve texture of the skin, according to AOCD, but it will not help flatten out the keloid in any way.
Step 3
Consult your dermatologist about a method called cryosurgery to help reduce the keloid. This involves freezing the scar with liquid nitrogen and subsequently stopping the swelling. It can be applied via cotton ball and sprayer. It is good for use on new and small keloids as it can prevent them growing further, notes AOCD. As Acne.org notes, the liquid nitrogen can also cause the scar tissue to die completely, allowing for removal.
Step 4
Get cortisone injection treatment for your keloid scars. This natural steroid is a corticosteroid produced in the adrenal glands of the body and is said to help reduce swelling and inflammation, notes Acne.org. AOCD advises to inject the cortisone directly into the keloid once a month. A noticeable flattening of the scar may begin to occur within three to six months.
Step 5
Attempt to remove the keloid via surgery. In the most extreme cases, the keloid can be sloughed off, then the site exposed to electron beam and orthovoltage radiations to prevent any regrowth. AOCD states that exposing the wound to X-rays has stopped regrowth in 85 percent of cases.

Stretch Marks Getting Under Your Skin?

What causes stretch marks?

Male Strech Mark ScarringStretch marks are medically referred to ass “striae.” Stretch marks can often appear after rapid weight gain or loss. Both pregnancy and teen years are characterized by when growth spurts do to increased levels of steroid hormones necessary for growth of the fetus and adult maturation during puberty. Stretch marks can also be brought on the by the stretching of the skin caused from obesity and and increase muscle mass gained through weight lifting.

In August 2008 issue of Esthetic Dermatology News, Mohammed L. Elsaie, MD, MBA, said Genetic factors – including inherited defects of connective tissues—also play the role. But the basic causes of stretch marks are unknown.

Stretch marks are known to affect the vast majority of women and they are difficult to get rid of. Treatment of straie is best if done in the initial phases. This is usually characterized by a reddening or purpling that can be noted in fairer skin people. Later on the tone and color of the stretch mark will be closer to the skin but are noticeable because of paler pigmentation. Sometimes they have an indentation characteristic as well. In the latter stages stretch marks are less responsive to treatment.

Leslie Baumann, MD, director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Group
and author of The Skin Type Solution; notes that the key is to prevent them.

Baumann states that; “Avoiding rapid weight gain or loss is a good start. For those who are pregnant or experiencing the hormone changes of the teen years, it is crucial to moisturize, the skin becomes more plaint, more plasticized and better able to stretch when it’s well hydrated.”

She recommends moisturizing three or four times a day with products that contain cocoa butter or shea butter as a prine ingredient. Massage the moisturizer deep into breasts, belly, hips, and buttocks.

Treating Scarring from Ingrown Hairs

How To Avoid Scarring from Ingrown Hairs

In grown hairs can leave scarring. This scarring for some people can become troublesome and become more severe overtime. Areas frequently shaved are more susceptible to ingrown hair though they can occur any place where hair grows on the body. Place where hair has been shaved and there is friction from skin rubbing or at times clothes can be more vulnerable to the nuisance and at worse scarring from ingrown hairs.

Shaving, waxing, tweezing, electrolysis, and other hair removal methods can often irritate the hair follicle to the point of causing pain, heat, redness, swelling and eruption like skin reactions. These reactions appear as irritating red bumps which at the very least are an embarrassing sight if not a stinging reminder lasting many hours or days. Coarse, curly or wiry hair has a greater tendency to become ingrown because of the curl pattern.

Men often experience ingrown hairs on the face, back, chest, legs and arms. Women tend to get ingrown hairs on the bikini area, legs and armpits. At times the epidermis surrounding the ingrown hair can become swollen and form puss as part of the bodies healing process. People often pick or squeeze ingrown hairs, this activity repeated over time may damage the skin permanently. Scars from ingrown hairs are common. There are a number of good grooming practices that can reduce the appearance of ingrown hair scars and mitigate the reoccurrence and further scarring.

Grooming Preventions for In Grown Hairs

1. Exfoliate the area, Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and nurtures new skin cell production. Less damaged skin cells will be more apparent sooner when you exfoliate regularly. Over a period of months scars often lessen and in some cases become unapparent to the naked eye.

2. Wear sunscreen on the scarred area. Wear sunscreen period. Let’s not worry about environmental controversy and the ozone layers. Many cosmetic companies produce good skin moisturizers with sunscreen so that’s a two for one. The sun can often worsen the appearance of ingrown hair scars. The higher SPF rating is preferable to prevent further damage from harmful sun rays.

3. Cocoa butter has been shown to fade scars and encourage healthy skin. You could find a moisturizer with cocoa butter and sunscreen on the open market.

Professional Medical Treatment

1. See a dermatologist. Some may recommend apply a bleaching cream to the scars. Ingrown hair scars usually have darker pigmentation than surrounding skin. A bleaching cream will lighten the scars, helping them to blend in with the rest of your skin. You’ll need to apply most over-the-counter bleaching creams need to be applied twice a day for several weeks before you see results.

2. A dermatologist may recommend getting laser treatment on the ingrown hair scars. Laser light will target the hyperpigmentation in the scars, thereby lightening the area. Laser treatments also advance collagen production so your skin will look healthier. This is a more costly alternative that generally requires multiple sessions to achieve satisfactory results.

3. Another alternative a dermatologist can suggest is a chemical peels to lighten the ingrown hair scars. Depending on the severity of the scars, you can opt for light, medium or deep chemical peels. Your skin will be burned by the chemicals, but after it heals, younger skin will be revealed. If you opt for a series of peels, you’ll generally have better results.

4. Consider microdermabrasion on the scarred area. The top layers of your skin will be buffed away by a mini sandblaster-type device. The skin below will be younger and less damaged so the scars will not be as apparent.

Prevention of Facial Acne Scar

Before and After Acne Facial Scarring Acne scar is one of the most common type of facial scars that can affect both men and women in their teens to adulthood.  Acne scars could be prevented if acne can be diagnosed properly and treated efficiently.

Acne does not leave scar in everyone, but if acne is not properly treated it may lead to disfiguring scars.  Acne scar can be an emotionally challenging problem for many young men and women so early diagnosis and treatment of them are recommended.

As many other medical conditions prevention is almost more important and less costly that treatment.  The ideal solution for prevention of acne scar is to prevent acne active lesions from occurring.  Medical treatment of acne can be challenging, but there are more medications and tools to prevent the active lesions or even if they occur to minimize their aggression.

The best is to find a good physician who is treating acne on a regular basis.  Be patients since the treatment of acne may not happen over night and at times several treatment periods are needed.  Your doctor need to see you periodically and he or she may have to change the medications you are on regularly.