Can this scar be removed or at least reduced?

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#1

I know this is a hair forum, not a scars forum. But hair grows out of skin, and scars are on the skin, so perhaps someone here can give me some guidance.

I was washing a glass about 10 years ago, and it broke, and it cut me quite nice. I went to the emergency room. They disinfected it and they put a gauze on it and sent me home.

Ever since then I’ve had this scar:

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I don’t like how the scar looks. And there’s also this dull pain if I hit the scar and if some heavy pressure goes directly on it.

It is my understanding that it’s impossible to completely remove a scar. That’s fine. I can live with having the scar reduced.

So apparently there are many methods for reducing/removing a scar. Steroid injections, co2 laser, surgical removal, and many others.

Do you guys think I can do anything to get this scar removed, or at least reduced?

Thanks

#2

A dermatologist would need to be consulted, I dont think anyone here can give you a good answer on this as it’s outside our expertise.

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#3

Consulting a dermatologist is pretty useless. Like when I asked about removing hair from a mole, the derm threw a sarcastic laugh at me before telling me that’s not possible. I’m an idiot for even asking I guess. I also asked the dermatologist about this scar. She said nothing can be done, I should leave it alone.

It just ends up being a waste of time, visiting doctors one after the other, and getting pretty much the same reply from all of them. That’s what their textbook says, and that’s what you’re gonna get. You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. Sad sad sad…

But just like with the hair from the mole, I’ll get to the bottom of this too.

But anyway…

I’ve been researching this, and I think I’m going in the direction of lasers (co2, pixel rf). I asked on an acne forum, and here is the story:

47 minutes ago, said:

Ablative lasers cannot be used on the palms (hands). You can try non-ablative lasers (fraxel dual, genesis, etc.). Excision of the scar should also work. If done by a good surgeon, you will most likely end up with a thin linear scar.

Frankly, I’m a little uncomfortable with the uncertainty of a surgical removal (excision). Because with that, anything could happen. I could end up with a bigger scar, or a smaller scar, or the same scar.

With some sort of laser treatment I feel like it’s a more steady and controlled approach.

I found a place in my city that does co2, and the guy is very willing to do this for me. But I looked him up and found some suspicious stories about him (unsanctioned abortions kind of suspicious). And not only that, but apparently he used some medicine that’s not allowed. I’m not sure how he’s still allowed to practice.

But anyway…

I found another place that looks more legit, and they use Pixel RF (FDA Approved). According to Google:

The Pixel laser effectively combines the convenience and comfort level of a non-ablative skin treatment with the clinically proven success of an ablative approach. Fractional lasers emit laser beams that are split microscopically before touching the skin.

I believe they’re using " Accent Prime ".

I contacted the place that uses this, and I’m waiting for a reply. Until then I’m continuing my research.

Thanks for the reply :slight_smile:

#4

Consult a plastic surgeon about scar revision.

#5

Yeah I’m thinking about that. But the diagnosis will probably be surgical scar removal. Which may end up being a case of the cure being worse than the disease. The problem with surgical removal is that it’s permanent. It’s one and done. While with a laser, I can start, and if I feel like it’s not working out or whatever, I can stop. And probably be left with no or very minor changes.

The problem is always that you go in and you get the solution which is the only solution the doctor in question offers. May be a solution, but may not be the only or the best solution.

This clinic that I found which offers the Pixel RF treatments has a plastic surgeon on staff.

Her credentials are:

DOCTOR SPECIALIZING IN PLASTIC, RECONSTRUCTIVE AND AESTHETIC SURGERY

Of course, nowadays everyone is a doctor. But what’s a guy to do eh…

So maybe I make an appointment and talk to her about it. To see what I get. I can ask her a few more questions while I’m at it.

We’ll see how it goes. I’ll report :slight_smile:

#6

I have similar scar buildup on my elbow from a cut but it doesn’t bother me. I dark mole would bother me more. Let us know how treatment goes. Usually it’s never 100% removal when it comes to such scars.

#7

Ok guys, so I didn’t get far on this one.

That one place told me that we can reduce the scar with co2. They said it will require 6-8 treatments. But the doctor that works there doesn’t inspire me with trust due to some google results I found about him (think unsanctioned abortions with medicine that’s not allowed). WTF bro :upside_down_face:

That said, he may be the mad scientist I need haha…

Another place told me that the scar cannot be removed with a laser. They didn’t elaborate at all. I’m not sure if they understood that I’ll be happy to get the scar reduced. That’s really all I’m looking for. Anyway, dead end.

Another place told me that, according to the photos, they can’t help much, because the skin in that area is of a different quality. But we can make an appointment so that they can see it live, and give me a final opinion. I made an appointment on Friday. They’ll charge $25 for the appointment, but it will be taken out of the first treatment I do, if I decide to do anything.

So I’ll go on Friday and see what they tell me and how I feel about them. Then maybe I go to the capital city to 2 more places I found, to see what they tell me (they won’t say anything from the photos, they want me to go there). And then when I collect all the opinions, I can make a decision.

Sounds like a plan. What’s a guy to do eh :unamused: :yum:

#8

I am a corneotherapist and electrologist. I would treat this scar with Microneedling. If you can find someone in your area who performs medical Microneedling with the Exceed device, you will get good results. Good luck!

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#9

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately, I can’t find anything about medical microneedling or about the Exceed device in my country. So I guess I can’t get that :frowning:

On Friday I’m going to a place that uses the Pixel RF™. They said they probably can’t help much, but they did make me an appointment to see the scar up close. And I guess they feel like they can help a little at least. This is the Pixel RF™ - Accent Prime RF pixel applicator Skin Resurfacing & Scar treatment - YouTube

You think it’s worth trying that?

#10

Before you make a decision ask them where you can find clinical trial white paper research that has been carried out with that device to prove its efficacy. Also check that it is FDA approved, certified or registered which it should be if it has gone through evidence based clinical trials.

Where are you based?

#11

Oh, I can’t ask that. I could, but they’ll probably look at me like I’ve fallen out of the sky. Plus I’d have to ask it in my local language. Plus, I’m not really great with people like that. I feel like if I ask something like that, I will be the only person that has or will ever ask them that. It’s just weird.

You know, I often read online about how something is supposed to be done. Like, you and your doctor will decide on a treatment together. Or your doctor will explain something to you. But from my experience it does not go down like that. You go in, whatever it may be, and you just hold your breath.

Recently I went to a dermatologist, and I had many questions about various things. In the end she told me I’m asking too many questions, and our appointment is only 20 minutes.

The internet is the only thing that gets me through any of these things. I’d love to go to a doctor and get answers and solutions, but it does not work like that. That’s why I’m so active online, so that I can find answers :slight_smile:

I live in Serbia. Europe, Balkans.

Regarding the device they’re using. Here, this is from their website:

If you don’t want to read the entire thing, here is a part:

Pixel RF™ is a FDA approved method that is commonly known as LASER (as well as Accent Prime device), due to powerful effects that can be achieved only by using lasers. Pixel RF™ is the treatment that uses MICROPLASMA™, known as the 4th state of energy, that is formed by air particles between the source of radiofrequency and skin.

So it is FDA approved.

And this is how it looks/works - Accent Prime RF pixel applicator Skin Resurfacing & Scar treatment - YouTube

I’ll have to pay $25 for that first appointment. And then the $25 will be counted towards my first treatment, if I decide to do one.

Depending on how that first appointment goes, I may do at least one treatment, to get my moneys worth. But not necessarily.

On the first appointment I’m just going to want an explanation on what exactly they’re going to do in detail, and what results we can expect. But I’m worried I may not get a full detailed explanation on how they would treat this. You know, pulling info out of people is like pulling teeth.

Anyway, I’ll report here what they tell me.

Do you think this Pixel RF™ treatment is worth a try?

Thanks

#12

Please don’t get confused just because a method such as Pixel RF is FDA approved does not make the actual device FDA approved if that makes sense. Not all devices are equal.

If someone, whether that is a dr, dermatologist, skin therapist or otherwise won’t answer your questions or tell you you ask too many questions, then walk away! If they can’t answer your questions it is because they simply don’t know the answers.

I am putting a link here to a clinic in Serbia who uses DermaPen which is an FDA approved micro needling device. Just give them a call and ask as many questions as you want. Good luck and keep me updated please.

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#13

I understand.

That’s great. I sent a message to that clinic with the pictures of the scar and a short explanation. If they don’t reply in a day or two I’ll give them a call.

What’s unfortunate is that I don’t live in the capital city of Serbia, but all the good clinics and things are in the capital city. Always in the wrong place :stuck_out_tongue:

I’ll see if anyone has a DermaPen in my city, maybe give them a call too.

Thanks :slight_smile:

#14

Well, it turns out the place where I have an appointment on Friday also has a DermaPen.

So the plan is, I’ll go there and have them tell me in detail how they would treat this.

I know they’re not going to go in great detail unless I push, but I lack the knowledge to push…

Like, it’s my understanding a DermaPen has different settings on how deep it will penetrate the skin. And because my scar is on “thin” skin, they probably have to not go too deep.So I’ll probe them on that, to see what they tell me.

Also, I’m not sure if DermaPen just pokes the skin, or if it also injects some cocktail of substances into the skin as it does it. So I’ll ask about that too. And if it does, I’ll ask them to tell me exactly what they plan on using for that.

I also saw one Youtube video where the guy used a DermaPen and he did a dragging-on-the-skin motion, and he went through the scar in different motions. But then I saw another video where the guy says you should do it in a stamping motion (one punch down, up | one punch down, up). I need to ask about that.

I’ll also ask about aftercare. First about any substance they will apply on the area as soon as the procedure is done. And then about whether I should apply anything myself as the hours/days go by.

I’m not sure if it matters what kind of DermaPen they have. But I am sure there are various versions of it (older, newer). Does it matter?

I’ll write everything down.

I’ll come home, write it all here, and do some research. I also want to sleep on it, because I’ve found in life that delaying a decision and sleeping on it, I get some more clarity after.

In the end, after sleeping on it, and getting you guyses advice, and doing my research, I’ll make my decision and take action.

Sounds like a plan :slight_smile:

#15

haha so I just checked, and I can buy a DermaPen for like $150-200 bucks.

I’m not gonna lie, I am tempted to buy one and do the whole thing myself. You just know I’ll do it better, because, well, I care about me more than somebody else cares about me. I’ll be more careful.

In the end, it would probably end up costing me roughly the same or less if I buy a DermaPen versus getting 5/6/10 treatments at the clinic. Each treatment is probably about $30 bucks, so do the math. And in the end I get to have my own DermaPen, or sell it and get some of my money back.

Interesting thoughts :stuck_out_tongue:

Anyway, let’s stick to the plan for now, and we’ll see what happens…

#16

So I went for an appointment. I was told that I have quite a large hypertrophic scar there. You guys can’t see it in the pictures very well, but there is quite a scar there. It was a deep cut.

She said hitting it with lasers won’t do anything. It may even make it worse.

She said my best solution may be a surgical removal of the scar.

Another solution may be to get a corticosteroid injection in the scar, in order to reduce its size. And then when the scar has shrunk, I can do a laser treatment.

I’m going to need another opinion. But I think these may actually be my only choices.

#17

I went to a plastic surgeon.

He said the fact that the scar is still red-ish after 10+ years may indicate that a piece of glass may be stuck in there. He said there is no scan which would show us if there is something stuck in there.

But this could just be a convenient story. If there was a piece of glass, wouldn’t my body had removed it after 10+ years? Or if not, wouldn’t the spot be inflamed and actually hurt or at least itch regularly and for no reason? I question this story.

He said that a laser treatment may make it worse.

He said that with steroid shots there is a risk of my skin there losing mobility or something, because there is some nerve or vein there which may react negatively to steroids.

He recommended a surgical removal of the scar.

In the end, in some cases you go to 3 different doctors and you get 3 different opinions, and in other cases you go to 3 doctors and you get 3 identical opinions. I’m going to need another opinion, preferably by someone who specializes in scars, if there is such a thing.

And this guy I saw today, he is like a small-town doctor. Surgically removing everything is an option surely, but we need to be more delicate and finesse things.

And I recently went through a little issue with my teeth, where I learned that dentistry in my city is at least 5-10 years behind the capital city, and 10-20 years behind the rest of the world. There are technologies which you simply won’t find here.

And that’s that. Depressing stuff, truly. But we keep on keeping on…

#18

So I’ve been thinking about this.

I’ve pretty much already learned everything I could from the internet regarding my scar.

I’ve gotten a few opinions, ranging from co2 laser, to “leave it alone”, to steroid injections, to surgical removal.

But in my opinion, none of the opinions came from a qualified person. You could say the plastic surgeon is qualified. But, well, I asked the plastic surgeon about 5 different things, and he recommended surgical removal for all 5. In truth, only 2 of these things absolutely require a surgical removal. I think he just likes surgically removing stuff instead of finessing things.

Like I had an issue recently with 3 hairs growing out of a mole, and I was told they can only be dealt with by removing the mole. After I did research, I ended up solving the problem with electrolysis. I get to keep my mole, and the hairs are permanently gone. It’s like having your cake, and eating it too :stuck_out_tongue:

But that’s the thing. I wanna finesse things, not pick up a scalpel and start cutting things.

The problem with getting more opinions is that each of those opinions costs me money. I get 10 opinions, I’m probably $500 out of pocket, and I probably got nothing to show for it…

Maybe I should just go somewhere and demand a steroid treatment/injection on the scar. Or maybe I should go do the co2 laser with that other guy who said he would do it. That other guy that I don’t really trust. I think he’d just do what I want him to do to get paid, and not care about the potential consequences and my well-being.

But if I decide to do any of these things at this point, I would just be experimenting really. One could say I experimented with the mole electrolysis too, but I really didn’t. Between this forum and other stuff I found and read online, I had something behind that to support my action and how I feel about it.

#19

So the main issue regarding treatment here is whether I have a tiny piece of glass stuck in the scar or not. If I do, it’s one thing. If I don’t, it’s another thing.

The plastic surgeon said that there is no scan which can detect a piece of glass. However, according to results on Google, a CT scan can detect glass:

All glass is visible on CT and usually easier to see than on plain radiography 9. Density varies between 500-1900 HU. Dense fragments as small as 0.01 mm3 can be detected

Of course, the wildcard here is that the glass would be surrounded by a scar. And the piece of glass would probably be super tiny.

Eh. What a pain in the ass :frowning: :stuck_out_tongue: