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titleTop Scar Treatments

subject date06-03-2026

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caption42 W hether caused by injury, surgery, burns or serious acne, scars happen – all the time. Scarring is part of the healing process as collagen speeds to the trauma site to repair the damaged tissue and close the wound. Genetics, age, gender and the location of the injury site all play a part in any scar’s ultimate appearance. Not all scars are created equal, however, and the type of scar you have determines the treatment options available. We spoke to two experts to break it all down. Many of us have small scars from cuts or burns, or even larger scars from surgery. But there are plenty of treatment options to promote healthy healing, writes Bonnie Vaughan TOP SCAR If you have acne scars… You have what is known as atrophic scars. “Acne scars are very challenging to get rid of,” says Dr Philip Bekhor, director of the Laser Unit at the Royal seem to disappear when you stretch the skin, says Dr Bekhor.  Subcision. Only suitable for those with deeper acne scars, this method involves cutting out fi brous scar tissue with a fi ne cutting needle.  Skin needling. This procedure involves rolling a sterile roller bearing a series of fi ne, sharp needles to puncture the skin, stimulating collagen production. Up to six treatments over 12 months may be required. If you have a shiny, thick, discoloured scar… You have a keloid scar, which are often genetic and more commonly occur in skin with a darker pigment. Keloids can vary in colour from pink to red to dark brown, they may be painful and itchy, Children’s Hospital Melbourne. “The best technology will give an average improvement of 30 per cent.” Remember that acne scarring cannot be treated while the condition is still active – that is, if the area is infl amed and red from recent breakouts. Treatment options  Fractional laser. Dr Bekhor says this skin-resurfacing procedure is the mainstay of acne scar treatment. “Fractional lasers treat little pixel

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caption43 goodhealth. and they usually occur on the chest, shoulders, upper back and lower neck. “They’re very mysterious, and the most challenging to manage,” says Dr Bekhor. ➤ Treatment options  Steroid injections. Keloid scars can be reduced by a program of cortisol injections over time, and any redness treated with pulsed dye laser, but they may reactivate two or three years later. If you’ve got a red, lumpy scar… You have a hypertrophic scar, which involves an excess of tissue. These are usually a temporary response to surgery, an injury or a burn. “Hypertrophic scars tend to heal spontaneously over 12 months,” Dr Bekhor says, “so we normally use gentle therapies.” More aggressive treatment is reserved for scars that don’t settle down in this time – whether due to burst stitches, excess tension at the site or a less-than-optimal healing environment. ➤ Treatment options  Steroid injections. Micro-shots of cortisone solution along with a pressure dressing, such as silicone sheeting, are applied to soften the scar tissue and flatten it out.  Pulsed dye laser. Intensive bursts of laser light can accelerate the loss of redness.  Scar revision. If scars have healed badly, they might be able to be improved, says Dr Steve Merten, clinical senior lecturer in cosmetic plastic surgery at Macquarie University Hospital. Sometimes the damaged tissue is cut out in order to create a clean, healthy scar. Do over-the-counter treatments work? No oil, cream, gel or dressing is going to make any class of scar vanish completely, says Dr Bekhor, but as long as the treatment is gentle, they’re not going to do any harm. “I think massaging scars helps,” adds Dr Merten, “but it doesn’t make a lot of difference what you use.” Indeed, research shows that vitamin E oil and vaseline are equally effective. The best method to help promote healing and minimise scarring is keeping the