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SCAR REDUCTION TREATMENTS

non invasive treatments to reduce the appearance of new and old scars

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SURGICAL SCARS

Our treatments optimise both new and old surgical scars, reducing their size, colour and texture. Also useful for self-harm scarring.
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BURNS

Stimulate the body’s own healing responses to minimise the appearance and smooth the texture of burns scars.
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ACNE SCARS

Our treatment protocol targets the pitting and discolouration that’s often a legacy of teen and adult acne.
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STRETCH MARKS

If stretch marks bother you, our gentle and effective treatment will help to reduce their visibility.

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All trauma to the dermis causes scarring of some degree. As they mature, scars can fade and blend into the skin – while others can be deeper, more prominent and textured – sometimes becoming very thick, discoloured or puckered. Generally scars improve over time, and with patience and care will reduce in their appearance. Larger operations, trauma or infection can cause greater scarring. Despite being an inevitable aspect of skin trauma or incision, scars can lead to emotional anguish and discomfort, especially when they are obvious or on an exposed part of the body such as the face, chest, arms or hands.

If you are planning surgery and are concerned about scarring – or have existing scars from previous surgery, trauma, acne or self-harm – ask us about our non surgical treatment options, which have been developed to accelerate the maturation process of scarring for new scars, or optimise old scars. Individual treatment programs are crafted for each patient, and may include one, or a combination, of the following:

Dermapen

Microneedling is a quick, low downtime scar reduction treatment that involves the tip of a Dermapen being passed over the scar or stretch mark. Micro needles rapidly penetrate the upper layers of the dermis, causing old skin to exfoliate off and stimulating the growth of healthy fresh skin underneath.

Fraxel

This fractionated medical grade laser strategically passes tiny beams into the dermis, removing old, scarred skin and stimulating the growth of a healthy fresh cells. Fraxel also encourages the production of the body’s own collagen, to plump and smooth. It is suitable for all skin types.

Injections + Topical Products

From steroid injections to over-the-counter silicone gel and prescriptive compounds with powerful plant-based extracts that are proven to remodel and reduce the appearance of scars – our team utilises the best possible topical and injectable products to treat scarring.

Prevention

Optimal wound care immediately after surgery can significantly impact on scarring. Following your post op instructions, attending your post op appointments and utilising at-home scar reduction products we provide, helps us work with you to ensure the best possible healing.

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Before and after treatment

hand scar before and after treatment
stretch mark before and after treatment
stretch mark before and after treatment

It's possible to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. book a complimentary consultation and find out which treatment can help you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT
SCAR REDUCTION

What causes scarring?

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Scars result from your body’s natural healing process when the dermis (the deep, thick layer of skin under your epidermis) is damaged. Healing cells called fibroblasts move to the site of the injury to repair the damage. Fibroblasts cover over the damaged area and form collagen, which is the building block of scar tissue, resulting in a scar.

The scar could vary due to a number of factors, such as the wound’s depth, location and size. Ethnicity, age, gender and genetics are also factors that can contribute to how your scar forms. The new scar tissue has a different texture, colour and quality than the surrounding tissue.

What are the common types of scars?

Acne scars result from severe acne. There are various types of acne scars which would depend on the acne type that you had.

Contracture scars result primarily from burns to the skin. The scar makes the skin tighter and can impair movement; it can also affect nerves and muscles, depending on its depth.

Hypertrophic scars are red and raised; they can look a lot like keloid scars, but they stay contained within the injury’s boundary.

Keloid scars grow beyond the area of the original injury. They can be discoloured, raised, itchy or uncomfortable – and commonly form in people with dark skin.

Why are some of my scars raised?

Scar tissue is made of fibrous connective tissue. Connective tissue supports and connects body structures and holds them in place. Fibrous connective tissue contains fibres made of a protein called collagen. It also contains cells called fibroblasts, which make the collagen, as well as water and carbohydrates. Scars form after a wound is completely healed, however in some cases when the body produces too much collagen, scars can be raised. Raised scars are called hypertrophic scars or keloid scars.

Why is massage good for scars?

When scar tissue loosens, the tissues are normally reabsorbed by the body. Once a wound is healed, to promote the tissue to ‘lie down’ properly, massage should be performed daily along the muscle fibre. This helps the adhesion fibres parallel to muscle fibres to lie down properly, making your scar become more integrated into the surrounding skin. We also find that the process of touching your scar, and proactively being engaged with it, promotes positive feelings and reduces anxiety or negative feelings about the scar itself – all part of the mind/body connection that helps promote healthy healing.

Is a scar permanent?

Although scars are permanent, they can fade over a period of up to two years. After this time, the scar is unlikely to significantly improve unless it receives appropriate scar reduction treatment.

How soon can I start scar optimisation?

Scar optimisation begins before your surgery; ceasing smoking, ensuring you have a healthy diet and mentally preparing yourself for surgery and the scarring that will be involved. Discuss concerns with your surgeon and a treatment plan that can be put in place to optimise your scars, if needed. In the immediate post operative / post injury period, it is imperative to:

  • adhere to your post operative instructions, and if you are unsure – ask us!
  • avoid sleeping on, or causing trauma, to your wound
  • use high quality dressings
  • attend your post operative appointments to ensure your wound is checked for any signs of poor healing or infection
  • don’t smoke
  • have a good diet
  • use sun protection
  • if you’ve been prescribed antibiotics, take the full course
  • apply topical antibiotic gel / Chlorsig
  • if you have any concerns, promptly raise them with your post operative wound nurse
  • avoid stress – anxiety hampers optimal healing

After your stitches and dressings have been removed, you may be advised to continue using your topical antibiotic cream, or you may choose to start using a healing gel compound, which Dr Sharp may prescribe for you.

After your wound has healed, you will be encouraged to massage it daily with clean hands – using silicone gel or your prescriptive healing complex. The longer you continue to do this daily massage, the better your scar results will be. If you wish to be very proactive about your scar optimisation, you can commence scar treatments such as dermal micro needling 6 weeks after your surgery. Ongoing sun protection is also very important.

What are the most common causes of scars that people seek treatment for?

Skin cancer removal for facial and chest lesions is one of the most common reasons that people seek scar reduction therapy. Queenslanders have the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and we therefore experience exceptional levels of lesion removal surgery on exposed areas of our bodies. Thankfully, facial and chest scars respond well to scar reduction therapies.

Major cosmetic procedures such as abdominoplasty, brachioplasty, breast reduction and breast lift (mastopexy) can leave very visible scars that patients wish to actively reduce.

Trauma and accidents – through dog bites to the face, workplace accidents or childhood injuries can cause prominent scars that can make people feel self conscious, or limited in their movement.

Self harm scars can be an unwanted reminder of previous trauma and as people move into a new chapter in their lives, they often wish to reduce the visibility of these scars.

Is it possible to have scar-less surgery on your skin?

Any surgical procedure that requires the penetration of the dermis will have a resultant scar of some type – even endoscopic or laproscopic surgery leaves small marks. It is possible to sometimes conceal scars in the hairline (such as some portion of facelift incisions), underwear or bra lines – such as cesareans or breast augmentations. Certainly wherever possible, your surgeon will always opt to incise the skin with the best possible scar position in mind.

How can steroid injections help scars?

Steriod injections are a treatment option for raised scars such as hypertrophic or keloid scars. They can be used as a series of treatments on their own, or combined with other treatment options for optimal results.
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