What do Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tina Fey, and Katy Perry have that most women wouldn't want, even if they got it on the red carpet? If you answered, "A scar," you're right (though you're probably spending far too much time on celebrity blogs!). Sure, a scar can be hidden with makeup, but there are better solutions that won't wash off. Manhattan dermatologist and RealAge expert Amy Wechsler, MD, recommends these minimizing treatments:
1. Laser it. A skilled surgeon can often smooth bumpy scars and "lift" depressed ones, such as acne scars, using different kinds of lasers. One caution: This is no time to bargain hunt. Go to a qualified laser expert and get a second opinion, as laser surgery isn't the only option. An alternative is to remove the upper layer of skin with either a chemical peel or a medical "sander" (dermabrasion). Again, choose a doctor who specializes in peels or dermabrasion. Don't confuse the latter with the microdermabrasion treatments offered at the day spa on the corner. That kind of light resurfacing is too subtle for serious scar correction.
Related: Laser surgery improves wrinkles, too. Here's how.
2. Inject it. Scars that remain red and lumpy after laser treatment can be injected with a steroid. As with laser surgery, you need a dermatologist's trained hands to do this work. Sunken scars can also be "lifted" with an injection of a wrinkle filler, like collagen or fat.
Related: Talk to your doctor about these wrinkle-filling options.
3. Redo it. Misshapen scars can sometimes be improved with "scar revision" surgery. The old scar is cut out and restitched, making a smaller, less jagged scar. This works better on some locations than on others: A scar on your back, for instance, generally isn't a good revision candidate because the skin there is constantly stretched with almost every move you make. But a scar on your temple or forearm would probably do well.
Related: Many scrapes, cuts, and burns heal on their own. Here's how your body does it.
If you've got a scar that's just starting . . .
1. Massage it. If an injury is recent, gently massaging the healing area a couple of times a day for about a month after your doc removes the stitches and says it's safe will help the collagen fibers regrow more smoothly. Scar creams with soothing or lightening ingredients won't make a scar go away but can soften and fade discolorations. Always cover an exposed scar with sun block; UV rays darken scar tissue, making it more obvious. And don't bother massaging gel caps of vitamin E oil into a scar to make it fade; it won't.
Related: Be a quick healer . . . chant this.
2. Cover it. Placing silicone gel or sheets over a wound can keep a forming scar from growing too big (and may minimize an old one). No one knows for certain why putting an airtight cover over the scar shrinks it -- a technique called occlusion. Trouble is, the bandage has to be worn for about 12 hours a day, often for months. Depending on where and how big the scar is, that may not be practical.
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