You might have some scars that you wish would just go away and disappear forever. You might have one from an accident when you were younger or pesky acne scars from those teenage years! Here are some tips to help you conceal your unwanted scars.
- Keloid scars occur when the scar grows beyond the initial wound. They are often raised with a dark red or purple color and range in size. If you’re just looking to cover the scar, there are opaque concealers designed specifically for this purpose. Choose one in your skin tone shade and dab it on with a concealer brush. If you are looking for a more permanent solution, there is cryotherapy for smaller keloids and steroid injections and laser treatments for larger keloid scars.
- Contracture scars are typically the result of severe burns and may tighten around the skin and limit mobility. They have a weblike look and may have several different color shades. If you’re looking for a cosmetic approach, there are kits specifically designed to cover this type of scar. The cover up is waterproof so you can keep it on for several days without having to worry about the scar showing. Unfortunately, they are one of the toughest scars to remove completely. However, physical therapy can often help with the range of motion if the scar is limiting your muscle function.
- Hypertrophic scars are similar to keloid scars in that they are raised and can have a red or purple color. They do not extend beyond the injury site and can fade over time. To cover it, use a cream with a slightly green shade to offset the redness of the scar. You should then follow it with a cream or concealer that matches your skin tone. There are a number of medical treatments that can be used to diminish the appearance of hypertrophic scars. Steroid injections and silicone gel sheets can reduce the redness and irritation and make the scar much less noticeable.
- If you suffered from severe cystic acne, you are probably all too familiar with atrophic scars. They can also be caused by picking at chickenpox blemishes and the scars appear as tiny, sunken holes in the skin. These scars are difficult to hide with just cosmetics but there are some kits available that use silicone putty to fill-in the holes as well as a primer and texture pad. Medical options vary depending on the variation and severity of the scars. Silicone sheets, laser treatments, and chemical peels can all be helpful in reducing this type of scar.
The worst thing you can do for any of these scars is irritate them more. Do not use any products that will dry the scar out such as bar soap. With the treatments listed above, you can diminish the visibility of your scar and feel comfortable in your own skin again!
-AN