Keeping up with the times of scar treatment

  With the advancement of technology, the concept of scar treatment is undergoing a revolutionary change. First, scarring is changing from a treatment-based approach to a prevention-based approach; scar treatment options are also changing from a single surgery-based approach to a combination of non-surgical, surgical and surgical non-surgical approaches.  The approach to scar prevention and treatment has likewise undergone a revolutionary change.  The approach to scar prophylaxis is evolving from a single drug plus compression with an elastic bandage to an integrated program of drugs, compression, photoelectricity, and injections. Previously, patients would be put on anti-scar medications (applied or plastered) after an injury left a scar, and then wear an elastic bandage with compression after the scar showed signs of proliferation. It usually takes six months or more to wait for the scar to stabilize before repairing it according to the degree of hyperplasia.  Nowadays, the preventive treatment of photoelectricity can be started at the early stage of the injury (2-4 weeks), and the degree of inhibition of scar growth by photoelectricity therapy is much stronger than the traditional medication and compression therapy.  Especially for patients with large burns and severe pruritic symptoms, it can significantly relieve the symptoms and relieve the pain. In contrast, the improvement of severe itching by traditional methods is almost minimal, and individual patients are even tortured to the point of mental abnormality. Photovoltaic technologies for preventive treatment include 595 laser, fractional laser and plasma. For severe red congestion but relatively thin scar, a combination of 595 laser and plasma can be used. For severe red congestion with thick scarring a combination of the 595 laser and fractional laser can be used. For very severe areas of hyperplasia, medication is sometimes given in conjunction with laser treatment to enhance the treatment effect.  If the hyperplasia is not severe, then only plasma or (and) fractional laser can be used, plasma being more suitable for thinner scars and fractional laser for thicker scars. For partly thick, partly thin scars, both plasma and fractional laser treatments can be used. For early depressed scars, plasma treatment can also promote flattening.  Of course, there is no generalization and the exact method to be used will be determined by the treating physician based on the texture of the scar, itching symptoms, etc. With early prophylactic treatment, most scars can be saved from reoperation or can be repaired more easily afterwards.  After talking about the preventive treatment of keloid scars, let’s talk about what other revolutionary changes have been made in the treatment of old keloid scars.  Previously, there was a single means of scar repair for those entering the stable phase, namely surgery. Nowadays, in addition to surgery, there are photoelectric technology, electronic wire technology, peel and augment technology, fat injection technology, etc. The concept of repair has also evolved from a single surgical repair to a combination of non-surgical repair, surgical repair and non-surgical repair. For doctors, it is necessary to apply these repair methods to scar patients correctly to obtain the best treatment effect.  For example, for patients with keloid scars, a combination of electron beam irradiation is needed after surgery to prevent the recurrence of scar growth. For large scars without functional impairment, a combination of fractional laser and plasma or medication closure can be used to improve the scar without resorting to riskier and more invasive flap grafting or skin grafting. For small scars on the face, it is sometimes possible to obtain very satisfactory results with plasma treatment alone. Some keloid scars have subcutaneous adhesions that appear as grooves or pits, which are aggravated by movement and have a significant impact on appearance. Previously, this could only be repaired surgically, but now, the combination of plasma treatment with peel and augmentation can provide the same or better results than surgery. The peel and augment operation takes only a few minutes and requires no sutures or stitch removal. The risks and pain are not comparable to surgery.  We all understand the theory of making complex things simple, not the other way around. This theory is also very true when used to guide the treatment of scarring.