Beyond the risk of surgical failure, patients must also confront the significant issue of surgical scarring. At this stage, maintaining optimism is crucial, as scar revision surgery is now available to address this concern when hypertrophic scarring occurs.Imagine enduring such discomfort for such an extended period—it can be unbearably difficult. Postoperative scar hyperplasia can compromise surgical outcomes, particularly in cosmetic procedures. Instead of enhancing your beauty, it may leave you scarred and disfigured.
What to Do About Scar Hyperplasia
1. Avoid sun exposure during the postoperative recovery period to prevent UV-induced pigmentation.Applying topical medications like hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, or betamethasone can help relieve itching.
2. Do not prematurely pick at scabs on surgical incisions. Forcibly removing scabs too early may strip away epidermal cells still in the repair phase, potentially tear dermal tissue, and trigger itching at the wound site.
3. Maintain cleanliness at the scar site. Wipe away sweat promptly. Avoid scratching with hands, rubbing the scar with clothing, or using hot water to relieve itching, as these actions may intensify local irritation, promote inflammatory reactions in connective tissue, and cause further stinging or itching.
4. Increase intake of fruits, eggs, lean meat, pork rinds, and other foods rich in vitamins C and E, as well as essential amino acids. These promote blood circulation and enhance epidermal metabolism. Avoid spicy foods like chili peppers, onions, and garlic.
How to Treat Hypertrophic Scars
Local Subcutaneous Injection
For hypertrophic scars, medication is directly injected into the subcutaneous layer beneath the scar. These injections primarily contain steroids, which reduce inflammation and dissolve inflamed tissue. This is currently the simplest and most effective treatment for hypertrophic scars.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical intervention is relatively suitable for larger hypertrophic scars, though technically more challenging. Clinical outcomes are generally favorable. Three common methods include: facial scar excision with skin grafting, flap techniques, and simple excision with suturing.
Chemical Peeling
Suitable for mild or superficial peeling, this technique uses trichloroacetic acid or alpha-hydroxy acids to gently remove the uppermost layer of skin cells. For common scars, doctors typically perform trichloroacetic acid peels. These peels yield excellent results in treating hypertrophic scars.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing employs a carbon dioxide laser to ablate skin, offering a relatively bloodless skin smoothing technique. This represents significant advancement over traditional dermabrasion and demonstrates excellent therapeutic efficacy for hypertrophic scars.Laser treatment for hypertrophic scars is based on the principle that most scars result from excessive proliferation of fibrous connective tissue following skin trauma. It works by unblocking meridians, breaking down and repairing subcutaneous elastic fibers, comprehensively restoring regenerative cellular tissue, and replacing scar tissue with permeable collagen. This approach yields excellent results in scar treatment.