Surgical and traumatic scars are types of scars that form during the healing process after skin injury. Surgical scars result from medical procedures that involve an incision, such as tumor removal or cosmetic surgery. These scars can vary in appearance depending on factors like location, size, and healing response. Traumatic scars, result from accidents, burns, cuts, or other injuries. They can range from mild and superficial to more severe, raised, or keloid scars. Dermatological treatments can help minimise the appearance and improve the function of scars.

Scar formation after a wound is a normal process whereby the body tries to repair damage by laying down new collagen. Sometimes this process develops in an abnormal way leading to thickened hard and irritable red scars (keloid) or depressed and indented scars. Most types of scarring can be improved by blending them with the surrounding skin and make them less noticeable.

A careful assessment of the type of scar you have, its colour, how it developed and how long it has been there is critical. This will then determine what treatment options are right for you.

Treatments can be performed on new and old scars however, treating scars early in their development is preferable and more successful when trying to remodel the new collagen as it is forming.

Treatment options include:

-Silicon gels and tapes

- Intralesional steroid injections

- Subcision to raise depressed scars

- Punch excision and punch elevation

- TCA CROSS technique for ice pick acne scars

- Dermal fillers to enhance volume

- VBEAM laser for milder acne and red scars

- Radiofrequency microneedling for acne scarring

- Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing

- Non ablative fractional lasers

- Scar revision surgery

Treating scars requires patience and persistence. All types of scars generally need multiple treatments over time. Dr Welsh can give you an estimate of your needs at your consultation.