| Facial
skin scars as opposed to body scars should be distinguished in terms
of treatment. Also patients tends to be more self conscious toward
any changes in their facial complexion. Scarring usually occurs
following an injury (accident, surgery, burn, acne) when multiple
layers of the skin has been affected. On occasion raised pink hypertrophic
facial scars can result in severe disfigurement following acne
inflammation. However, most facial scars are of atrophic nature,
depressed lesions. Facial lesions are more readily healed following
an inflammation due to richer circulation of the area. In contrast,
body scars tend to be more stubborn and less responsive to different
treatments. Once they are to be treated, it should be noted that
there is no way to remove facial scars completely. The goal is
to improve the appearance of face and body skin scars by minimizing its prominence.
Skin color and type, age, and the type of scarring, are all important
factors that must be considered.
Face scars with pigmentation changes
Freckles are a form of skin hyperpigmentation, produced by an increase of melanin pigment within basal melanocytes. In freckles, there is no hyperplasia of melanocytes, rather increase in melanin within melanocytes is observable. Freckles are seen as maculopapular lesions, brownish in color. These skin hyperpigmentation spots could be treated with kojic acid or hydroquinone preparations usually in the form of cream or gel. Hippocrates skin care line offers many formulations which target freckles and age spots, among them, scars treatment serum is very effective in eliminating freckles and even toning the skin.
Age spots are another form of facial hyperpigmentation, more commonly seen in fair skin individuals and appear as maculopapular lesions on sun exposed areas. Overproduction of melanin or decrease in its elimination may cause this clumping of melanin in epidermis. Aging and prolonged sun exposure are among the primary causes, however, role of genetic factors can not be overlooked. They are more commonly seen on the face, back of the hands and other areas more subject to sun exposure. Among Hippocrates products that effectively treat age spots are Night Treatment and Scars Treatment kit.
Face scars without pigmentation changes
These scars range from hypertrophic scars such as keloids or scars with atrophic changes such as icepick scars. Acne scars can fall into both category it may or may not be associated with pigmentation changes.
Skin care treatment for acne scars without pigmentation changes is essentially different and requires modalities with skin renewing abilities.
To revise facial
scars using office procedures more than one technique may be required, and
for some individuals more time than expected is needed due to highly individualistic nature of scars
and the affected individuals. Variety of methods are available to
reduce the prominence of keloid or hypertrophic facial lesions, among them
dermabrasion and laser resurfacing. These methods could be considered
before or after surgery. Skin care products are less effective on keloids and hypertrophic scars. However they may work quite effectively on atrophic scars and icepick scars. Among non surgical face scarring revision options are steriods, non mitogens, filler injections.
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