The SoCal Cosmetic Network

A Way To Reduce Scars From Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Unveiled

October, 21, 2009, Scarring is often a major downside to many common cosmetic surgery procedures. Although most scars will disappear over 12 to 18 months, about a third or so of scars tend to be permanent on one’s body, as many patients of cosmetic surgery are being left with unsightly marks and/or a hard raised ridge of tissue, which is a common reminder of one’s cosmetic plastic surgery procedure.

The impact of these scars can be quite distressing for people, especially if they are on everyday visible parts of one’s body such as the face, neck, legs, or arms. Some recent surveys have shown that many people, who have undergone a cosmetic surgery or a routine surgery, were unhappy with the scarring left behind post surgery.

However, prominent scars can soon be a thing of the past with the advances of several new ways of minimizing scars for people. Scarring happens when both the top layer of one’s skin (the epidermis) and the lower layer (the dermis) are penetrated, yet the amount of scarring that occurs will depend on how well the person’s skin responds to and copes with the healing of it. Collagen is a major factor in this process, as it acts like glue in order to help the edges of the wound mend together. When the skin heals well, the edges of the wound are mended together by the collagen in one’s skin, by helping the skin to remain flat and making location of the scar as tiny as possible.

Then comes the issue of cells called Fibroblasts. These cells are responsible for actually repairing the puncture, yet can go a bit overboard and setup a new system of blood vessels to the area of the scar. These fibroblasts can cause too much collagen, which may result in rigid lines, along with lumps and bumps around the wound. The collagen will sometimes ‘overflow’ leaving a rubbery-like scar over the healthy skin tissue.

Although it is not fully understood why some cuts heal better than others, good surgical practice, genes, and the location of the wound can make all the difference in the way scars heal on people.

What can be done to help reduce scars then?

Some would say Juvista can. Juvista is currently in the final phases of development and looks set to be one of the first scar prevention drugs to hit the market, which should be in about the next three years.

Made from a natural occurring human protein known as the transforming growth factor, Juvista is injected into the edges of the patient’s wound after their surgery. So far this technique has shown promise in reducing the risk of scarring. The injection works by helping to heal the skin by weaving the edges of the wound together.

Avotermin is another potential scar-reduction drug that has promise as well. Avotermin is made with a synthetic cell-signaling agent. Early trials have that have been carried out have produced results that reduce the chances of the scars becoming raised lesions or settling above the skin. This drug also helps to reduce the density and thickness of the skin that ends up causing the scarring, while helping reduce the appearance of one’s scar.

If you anticipate an up coming surgery, these new drug developments are a bit too far out in the future. However if you are in need now, you should try and keep your scars as moist as possible after your surgery, as this will help to prevent scabs from forming on your skin. Scabs often create a barrier to healing. By keeping your wound moist, you are helping to keep the collagen away from the surface of your skin, as this will be a big help to stopping collagen overflow.

Your trusted cosmetic plastic surgeon is likely to give you a dressing to help keep your wounds as moist as possible. Once you do remove the dressing, you will want to keep the wound moist by using a moisturizing lotion around the scar area.

If your scars are prominent or raised, you still have options. Recent scars (formed within 18 months) can be treated with lasers, similar to the way birthmarks are treated. By using lasers, your doctor will target blood vessels that feed the scars, while lessening the appearance of the scar. Typically there are several treatments required, with each one costing around $200 or so. Laser skin resurfacing is commonly used by a lot of people worldwide to reduce scarring on various areas of the body.

One Response to “A Way To Reduce Scars From Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Unveiled”

1. back pain injections says:

   May 3, 2010 at 12:26 pm

   I will visit once more for an additional new interesting topic..

Blogs Links

Los Angeles Country

Orange County

San Diego County