Monday, February 16, 2009

Getting Rid Of Scars & Blemishes

Getting Rid of Scars & Blemishes


Scars and blemishes are quite common among the human species. The terms refer to marks or spots on the body or face that disrupt the appearance of the skin. They are usually caused by an injury, surgery or a skin condition such as acne or a rash. Some scars and blemishes can be minor and clear up on their own in time; however, larger or more distinct scars and blemishes need medications or treatments. Though some scars or blemishes can prove impossible to completely eliminate, in the majority of cases great strides can be taken to either significantly fade or abolish them.








Instructions


1. Consider seeing a professional. A dermatologist can accurately diagnose a problem and recommend products or treatments to alleviate it. For example, in cases where the scar or blemish is minor, products like collagen-based lotions and patches can work magic. Repeated and consistent application is the key to this remedy. Some experts also suggest using vitamin E lotion or aloe to keep the scar moist and encourage fading.


2. Realize that raised scars or hypertrophic scars are a little more serious and require more treatment and time. These scars are formed after a wound heals and collagen buildup causes a raised or bumpy area on the skin, but only within the confines of where the wound originally occurred. A doctor can treat hypertrophic scars with cortisone shots, which can make the scar flat against the skin. Over-the-counter lotions and treatments can then be used to fade the mark. A hypertrophic scar may never completely go away but can be significantly reduced.


3. Consider steroid injections or even radiotherapy to treat keloid scars. These begin like other scars as the result of surgery, severe burning, wounds and acne, but they continue to grow indefinitely. They are actually considered to be benign tumors. Keloid scars can also be itchy and irritating, and often very upsetting. Hydrocortisone ointment can be used to help relieve the itching. Keloids can be treated with repeated steroid injections. Radiotherapy can be used to prevent the keloids from spreading or returning but should only be attempted with extreme caution due to significant side effects.


4. Look into a number of professional treatments. Dermabrasion is a process where the top layer of the skin is removed. It is costly and involves general anesthesia but has a high success rate. A surgeon can also actually remove the scar by cutting it out and reattaching either side of the skin. This surgery is called skin revision, but it is often not used because the surgery itself can result in a new scar.


5. In the case of acne, consult a dermatologist who can use successful treatments to clear up the skin and prevent acne scaring. The best way to get rid of scars or blemishes is to avoid getting them initially. Injuries should be immediately treated with an antibiotic cream and kept extremely moist while healing to prevent the likelihood or severity of scarring.

Tags: scars blemishes, Getting Scars, Getting Scars Blemishes, hypertrophic scars, steroid injections, treated with