Scars can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but one thing is for sure – a scar can get in the way of your self-esteem if the focus of your appearance begins to revolve around that blemish. Some large scars, like those that are left after open-heart surgery can affect how you dress as well as how you see yourself in the mirror. Smaller scars on the arms or legs can make you self-conscious enough, but sporting a facial scar may be a truly traumatic experience indeed. Most people would love to erase the look of that “battle wound” – if only they could. Guess what? With the advances that have been made today in the field of dermatology, you may be able to say goodbye to that scar much easier than you think, and boost your self-esteem to a whole new level!

Medical Scar Treatments

There are a number of methods that a dermatologist can use to help diminish the appearance of a scar that you are self-conscious about. Whether you try out one of the new scar-healing patches, or head straight for the laser surgery, there are options at your doctor’s office that can be quite effective in improving the look of that red, raised line that you have learned to dislike intensely. Keep in mind that even laser surgery will not put your skin back to its original condition, although it can make a scar much less visible to most people. Since laser treatment is considered a surgery, you may need anesthesia and a recovery period afterward. There are also risks involved with this type of procedure, as there are with any surgery.

Topical Treatments

Another option for scar minimization is a topical treatment, and you can find these both over the counter and at your dermatologist’s office. One of the most popular rub-on treatments for scars is vitamin E, which can be applied from an open capsule or as a cream. If you decide to go with this topical treatment for your scar, make sure that you rub the vitamin E into your skin thoroughly. This is because the massaging motion of your fingers may have as much of a positive effect on your scar as the cream itself. It is thought that massage of the skin around the scar will reorganize the collagen bundles in your skin, thus reducing the appearance of the scar. Skin lighteners can be another good choice for reducing the appearance of a scar, and these can be found in beauty supply stores for under $50.

A scar does not have to impact your self-esteem in a negative way. Talk to your dermatologist today about your options in ways to diminish the look of your scar.

Related Articles
	Acne Scarring A permanent scar is a defect in the skin and is usually caused by some type of injury. In some cases, scarring can be a result of severe, or even mild acne. Though there is no way to tell if a scar will or will not form from an acne lesion, there are ways to prevent and treat acne scars. The type of scar   ...Read more		How to Fade Scars A scar is the skin’s way of healing and replacing lost or damaged tissue. When skin is injured, fibroblast cells react by producing extra collagen to fill the wound. When scars heal, they can take on a variety of appearances, such as: flat, raise, sunken, pigmented or flesh-toned. Acne is a major   ...Read more