Wound Stapled, Stitched or Glued? Here’s the Type of Scar You Can Expect
April 27, 2015 18 Comments

Wound Stapled, Stitched or Glued? Here’s the Type of Scar You Can Expect

After surgery or a deep wound, your doctor will close the wound with sutures (stitches), glue, staples, or a combination of these. Securing the edges of the wound together is crucial for healing, but the type of skin closure can impact the appearance of the final scar. Depending on the way your doctor closed the wound, here’s the type of scar you can expect:

Staples

A staple incision closure is more consistent and faster than stitches. Surgical staples are disposable and are made of plastic or stainless steel. The problem with most skin staples is that they can leave permanent marks on the skin that create a “train track” look.

Sutures

Sutures are the most common way to close wounds, including incisions after surgery. The doctor basically sews the skin edges back together. Sutures can be permanent or absorbable. If permanent sutures are used to close the top skin layer, these need to be removed once the skin has healed. Absorbable sutures dissolve on their own over time once the tissues have healed and don’t need to be removed. Large sutures that are left in the skin for too long can lead to scars that look like stitching.

Glue

Smaller wounds that are not very deep may be put back together using special adhesive glue. This works similar to stitches and staples in that it secures the skin edges back together to promote the healing of the wound or incision. Skin glue does not leave “train track” or “stitch” marks.

Most Important Factors for the Best Scar

Whether you have staples, stitches, or just glue to help your wound heal, there are a few shared factors that promote the best looking scar. First and foremost, you want to be sure that the wound edges are lined up anatomically. Your doctor should ensure that the two layers of skin properly line up with one another. This helps the skin to heal more seamlessly, rather than looking jagged.
The depth and length of the injury, as well as the location, also affect the appearance of the scar. Certain lifestyle and genetic factors, including gender, race and age, also influence scarring. To promote healing and have the best looking scar, care for the wound correctly, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, and don’t smoke. Follow your doctor’s orders, which typically include keeping the area clean, covered, out of the sun, and moist to promote healing.

Once the wound has healed, ask your doctor if you are ready to start using a topical scar treatment to reduce the long-term appearance of your scar as much as possible.

Have a question about your scar? Leave a comment and we’ll be happy to answer.

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Filed Under: Get Rid of Scars, Melanoma Scars, Plastic Surgery Scars, Scar Healing Tips, Surgery Scars Tagged: , ,
Do Over the Counter Scar Treatments Really Work?
April 9, 2015 Leave a Comment

Do Over the Counter Scar Treatments Really Work?

There are so many different types of over the counter scar treatments that it can be difficult to know whether or not they actually work. The ingredients of the treatments play a significant role in their effectiveness. The right ingredients, especially in the right combination, will facilitate the natural healing process, reducing the appearance of the scar, while other ingredients may not work, or even cause more damage.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is commonly found in skin care ingredients since it is a powerful antioxidant that promotes beautiful skin. However, there is no real evidence that using vitamin E actually improves the scar. Instead, the benefits are most likely due to continued moistening of the area, rather than the infusion of the vitamin. Many people also develop contact dermatitis from vitamin E, so it is another ingredient to avoid.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is another powerful antioxidant, and it plays an important role in the body’s healthy immune response, which includes wound healing. Furthermore, it is essential for proper formation of collagen and elastin in skin, which helps build healthy skin cells, rather than damaged scar tissue, after the skin is injured. Vitamin C also fades the hyperpigmentation that can come with scarring. Therefore, it is an effective and safe ingredient in an over the counter scar treatment.

Silicone

Silicone is another ingredient that has been shown in studies to aid in the treatment of scars, while not promoting any danger. It reduces any redness, pain and itching associated with the scarring, while also improving the elasticity of the skin.

Aloe Vera

Another beneficial, and effective, ingredient for over the counter scar treatment creams is aloe vera. This plant has long been used in cosmetics and first aid creams due to its moisturizing and healing effects. It protects the wound while also promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and strengthening the collagen structure.

Hydroquinone

Many popular over the counter scar treatment creams contain hydroquinone, and it has a reputation for effectively lightening scars. However, it is a very dangerous ingredient that has been banned in several countries. Even in the smaller doses found in over the counter creams, it can lead to problems such as impaired wound healing, irritation, nail discoloration, and ochronosis (permanent skin darkening).

Kojic Acid

Another seemingly effective scar treatment ingredient that is commonly found in over the counter creams is kojic acid. Like hydroquinone, it may work, but the negative effects are not worth its lightening abilities. Studies have found that prolonged use leads to more sensitive skin and contact dermatitis. It also is not effective at improving the appearance of scars, beyond lightening the skin color.

When OTC Treatments Do Not Work

If you have a keloid, indented scar, or certain other scars, then over the counter treatments will not work. These scars require more invasive treatments, such as laser therapy, collagen injections, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, dermabrasion, or microneedling. If you are unsure about the best form of treatment for your scar, then you should discuss it with your dermatologist.

When looking for an effective over the counter scar treatment, you should look for all natural ingredients that do not include preservatives or fragrances, as this could also aggravate the skin. You do not want to use any harsh ingredients; instead, you want to support your skin’s natural healing process, which will reduce the appearance of any scars.

Have a question about your scar or a particular ingredient? Leave a comment and we’ll be happy to answer.

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Filed Under: Acne Scars, Burn Scars, C Section Scars, Chemical Peels, Dark Scars, Face Scars, Get Rid of Dark Spots, Get Rid of Scars, Hyperpigmentation, Hypertrophic Scars, Melanoma Scars, New or Old Scars, Plastic Surgery Scars, Scar Healing Tips, Surgery Scars Tagged: , ,
Thyroid Surgery Scars
March 6, 2015 1 Comment

Thyroid Surgery Scars

One common surgery performed on people is thyroid surgery, which typically involves removing part or all of the thyroid gland. This type of surgery is used to treat problems in the thyroid, including any cancer, a benign or cystic nodule causing problems, goiters, or some extreme forms of hyperthyroidism for which medication has not provided any benefits. Although surgeons will try their best to reduce the amount of scarring that occurs after surgery, you will have small, but noticeable scarring, as long as it heals properly.

Types of Thyroid Surgery

There are three main types of thyroid surgery: total thyroidectomy, thyroid lobectomy with or without an isthmectomy, or a subtotal thyroidectomy. A total thyroidectomy is the removal of the entire gland, including the surrounding lymph nodes. A thyroid lobectomy only removes one of the lobes of the gland, and it occurs when the problem is isolated to one area. It may include the removal of the connective tissues, known as the ishtmus. A subtotal or near total thyroidectomy removes one total lobe and part of the other one and is typically used for patients with Grave’s disease. Most thyroid surgeries are performed through endoscopic thyroidectomies, which reduces the amount of scarring and overall recovery time.

What is an Endoscopic Thyroidectomy?

Surgeons do their best to reduce the amount of trauma to the skin, and the rest of the body, when performing surgery. They often will create the incision in the natural creases of the skin on the neck, which will make the scar even less noticeable. Additionally, many surgeons now perform an endoscopic thyroidectomy, which is a minimally invasive surgery that only requires a very small incision on the neck, reducing the amount of scarring. A video camera and the necessary implements are inserted through the incision, and the surgeon performs the surgery using controls and the video camera. In some cases, you may still have a conventional thyroidectomy, which will require a larger incision and thereby leave a larger scar.

What to Expect from Thyroid Surgery Scars

The incision or incisions from your surgery will form scars as part of the naturally healing process. Most surgeons will cover the wound with some type of steri-strips or tape covering the stitches. These typically remain in place for a week or so while the skin begins to heal. You should follow your doctor’s orders about treating the incision area to reduce the risk of infection and re-opening the incision, as this will create additional trauma to the skin and intensify the prevalence of the scar tissue. You will want to keep the area as dry as possible and covered with bandages until the skin has healed well enough.

For the first six weeks or so, the incision may be bruised and slightly swollen, and it may also be raised a bit. As it heals, this will fade and it will begin to look similar to the surrounding skin. While the scar is healing, you should wear sunscreen of at least 30 SPF, as this will reduce any further damage to the skin cells by the UV rays of the sun. You can also use a scar treatment cream to help expedite the healing process.

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Is There Scarring After Rhinoplasty?
November 17, 2014 2 Comments

Is There Scarring After Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a type of plastic surgery performed on the nose to reconstruct or enhance its shape, or improve nasal breathing. It can be used for cosmetic reasons or to repair the nose after trauma or congenital deformity. Some of the reasons for a medically necessary rhinoplasty include surgery for nasal trauma, a congenital defect, and breathing difficulties. Rhinoplasty is a common surgery, and many patients wonder if they will have lasting scars.

What is the Difference Between Open and Closed Rhinoplasty?

There are two types of rhinoplasty – open and closed. The defining feature between the surgeries is the incision approach. Open rhinoplasty involves a potentially visible incision on the columella (the fleshy, exterior-end of the septum of the nose between the lip and tip of the nose). There may be additional incisions inside the nose for the nasal correction. The incisions used a closed rhinoplasty are all inside the nose, so there is no scar created on the columella.

Closed rhinoplasty has a few benefits over the open surgery. There is usually reduced post-operative swelling (edema), less visible scarring, less risk of excessive reduction of the nasal-tip support, less inadvertent damage done to the nose, and less time needed for complete healing. However, open rhinoplasty provides the surgeon with a better view of the cartilage in the nose. The surgeon will usually also be able to better manipulate and alter the shape. Whether a patient receives open or closed rhinoplasty will depend on the reasons the surgery, the anatomy of the nose and surgeon preference.

Will There be Scarring?

Most surgery creates some type of scarring, and rhinoplasty is no different. The good news is that in most cases, an uncomplicated surgery will lead to minimal visible scarring. Since a scar is created on the columella, there is far more potential for visible scarring with open rhinoplasty than with closed rhinoplasty. However, even in open rhinoplasty, the incision is typically very small and tends to heal well, making it a very small scar that most people will not notice.

Preventing and Treating Scars

Before you undergo rhinoplasty, discuss the after-surgery care and issues with your surgeon so you will be prepared. It may take a few weeks for the skin to heal and it might a year for the before the nose is completely healed. Proper post-op care is essential with any surgery so make sure you fully understand all the post-op instructions including how to best take care of your scars. After the incision is healed and your sutures have been removed, start using a topical scar treatment to reduce scarring as much as possible.

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Filed Under: Face Scars, Get Rid of Scars, Plastic Surgery Scars, Surgery Scars Tagged: ,
Do I Need a Nighttime Scar Treatment?
November 6, 2014 2 Comments

Do I Need a Nighttime Scar Treatment?

When dealing with minimizing a scar, whether from surgery, an accident, acne, or other injuries to the skin, many people wonder if they might need a nighttime scar treatment. There are many scar treatment creams on the market, and several promote themselves as special nighttime care. There is no reason to buy a special nighttime treatment cream. Instead, you should use a high-quality cream both day and night to reduce the appearance of your scars.

The Importance of Nighttime Care

It is important to treat your scar at night for several reasons. First, the skin loses the most amount of moisture at night, and moisture is essential to healing scars. Therefore, you want to use a cream at night to keep the area moist. Additionally, the body undergoes most of its healing process during sleep. By using a cream that promotes the skin’s natural healing processes at night, you can take advantage of the time the body is naturally relaxing, restoring, and healing itself.

While it is important to treat your scars at night, there is no reason to have a separate cream to do so. There is no special ingredient that only works at night. Instead, you just have to use the same quality ingredients you use during the day, but apply it at night before bed.

The Best Ingredients for Treating Scars

There are many scar treatment creams available on the market, and many include ingredients that don’t help. Worse yet, some ingredients can do more harm than good. For example, vitamin E is a popular ingredient for skin care, but studies have shown that up to 1/3rd of users develop contact dermatitis. This means the skin can turn red, itchy and flaky. Kojic acid is a popular lightener, but it can lead to hormonal disruption and skin sensitivity. Hydroquinone is another popular ingredient for treating dark scars, but it can actually be toxic and has been shown to have carcinogenic effects. For this reason many countries have banned use of products containing certain amounts of hydroquinone.

The best ingredients to use in a scar treatment cream are stable forms of vitamin C and natural pigment lighteners like licorice extract. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights against damaging free radicals, promotes skin collagen growth, and helps the skin to properly heal, all of which help reduce scarring. Licorice is a natural skin lightener that also protects the skin. The combination of the vitamin C and licorice extract can create a powerful natural and soothing scar treatment.

Following the Right Scar Treatment Protocol

When you are working on healing a scar, you want to follow the best treatment protocol. You should apply the topical scar treatment at least twice a day. One of these times should be right before you go to sleep to ensure the area remains moist, as well as to promote the natural healing that occurs during sleep. Another important time to apply the cream is first thing in the morning. Most scars may never completely disappear. However, by using the right treatment you can greatly reduce the appearance of your scars.

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Filed Under: Get Rid of Dark Spots, Get Rid of Scars, New or Old Scars, Scar Healing Tips Tagged:
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