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The use of cosmetics
People who have small scars or scars with different color from their skin, can easily hide scars by the use of cosmetics.
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Hair transplantation
Hair transplantation is very helpful, especially for whom with scars around eyebrow and on head. Because of hair loss in these areas, scars are more visible. That is why hair transplantation works great.
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In some cases, despite following the above mentioned points, there are some scars with very bad view and worse than that, sometimes the scars are uglier when the person talks, laughs or by any movement of facial muscles. (Below Fig)
Methods of removing scars
There are various surgical and non-surgical methods (such as laser and different types of medications) for removing scars. Each of these methods has its own characteristics. In general, no single approach is effective enough for any types of wounds. Therefore, for using any methods of treatment, we should pay attention to features and characteristics of each wound. Notice that none of the treatments can completely eliminate scars. Therefore, the purpose of using different methods is changing the appearance of the wound so that it becomes less obvious or completely hidden. Non-surgical methods are such as laser, topical medications, dermabrasion etc. In many cases their impacts are similar to each other, to the extent that we can substitute one for another. For example, laser and dermabrasion have quite similar effects.
Surgery for small scars (such as scars of pimples) is not an appropriate method and can make them worse. But for large ulcers, surgery is a very effective method and has great results, more than any other non-surgical methods. Look at the below Fig, as an instance. Despite using laser and different types of medications, the patient is still unsatisfied. And as you can see, the scar is completely visible.
Ways for betterment of scars in surgical approach
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to narrow scar as much as possible
Many scars are wide and that is why they draw attention. So, we can make them narrow, so that they will be less visible. Narrowing the scar is possible just by surgery. If you have wide scars, you should know that by using methods such as topical medications and laser, you are wasting your money and you will never get the desired result. Because non-surgical methods cannot narrow scars.
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To level the scar and its surrounding area
In mild cases, scars which are not level could be treated by non-surgical methods. But in severe forms, surgical methods will be more helpful. By leveling the scar and its surrounding area, we can make it less visible.
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To make the pattern of scar irregular
Many scars due to their regular and linear pattern are easily able to be seen. If these straight and uncluttered lines turns to broken or zigzag lines, they are less visible because our eyes cannot easily follow irregular lines. In fact, this method causes optical illusion and that is why the scar is thought to be hidden. This method is also possible just by surgery. As we see in the following pictures, three methods mentioned above have been used for betterment of the patient’s scar.
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To hide scars in natural wrinkles
This method of hiding scars, is very interesting and has a great impact on beauty. It has its own scientific principles, but it needs doctor’s skill and patience. This method is also possible just by surgery.
Note:
If the scar is new and its primary repair is not good enough, we must not immediately do the surgery. Because the wound is not prepared for a new change and any early repair may cause bad results. When injury happens, we should wait at least 3 months for doing surgery. It is recommended that you postpone the surgery until next 6 months. During this period, you can use non-surgical methods for betterment of the scar. If a doctor advises you to have a surgery earlier than this 3 months, he may not have enough information about this case, or he wants to do the surgery because of the money!
Non-surgical methods
Non-surgical methods are such as laser, dermabrasion, topical medications etc. Generally we can consider following characteristics for them:
- In the case of small scars (such as pimples scar) non-surgical procedures are preferred, but for big scars, surgical methods are more helpful.
- Shortly after the initial wound healing, non-surgical procedures are able to be used. Therefore people who must wait another 3 to 6 months for skin repair process, should use non-surgical methods.
- Non-surgical procedures are good supplements to surgical methods for improving the result. That is why most of the times, after wound healing by surgery, these methods are also able to be used.
- Most of the times, mechanism of non-surgical procedures is as following way. They stimulate new skin cells and rebuild collagens by means of removing or destroying some parts of the skin. So the impact is limited to the skin and in the case of scars of deep wounds, they are not helpful.