Need helpful advice about improving a scar's appearance

[Damaged_goods]

Don't think that this is the best place to ask but I might as well. Just to state briefly, I have a surgical scar (stitches) on the side of my forehead for roughly ten years now and it's been troubling me for awhile. The scar itself is rather flat and white. What bothers me the most is the shine that I get when light hits it.

I've seen a plastic surgeon who commented that the scar isn't that bad and the only way to get rid of the scar is to get rid of the tension (making the scar bigger or zigzag it).

Now I'm aware that there is no way to get rid of a scar but I would really want to see if there is anything that can be done to improve the scar's visibility (without cosmetic creams).

I've read up on laser dyes which I don't know if it would help with the white scars or the shine or size but it would really be good to know.

If anybody has any info, scientific progress in this area, or solution please list them.

[Donald_McRonald]

Any specific reason for not wanting to use creams? Other otc products include those scar-reducing adhesive sheets.

[epepke]

Don't think that this is the best place to ask but I might as well. Just to state briefly, I have a surgical scar (stitches) on the side of my forehead for roughly ten years now and it's been troubling me for awhile. The scar itself is rather flat and white. What bothers me the most is the shine that I get when light hits it.

If a plastic surgeon doesn't know how to get rid of it, I can see three options:

1) Makeup
2) Cosmetic tattooing
3) Tell everyone you got it duelling

[BioBeing]

If a plastic surgeon doesn't know how to get rid of it, I can see three options:

1) Makeup
2) Cosmetic tattooing
3) Tell everyone you got it duelling
Or
4) try another plastic surgeon. (Although I do like #3)

[Damaged_goods]

Any specific reason for not wanting to use creams? Other otc products include those scar-reducing adhesive sheets.

By cosmetic creams, I meant the ones that conceal it like makeup. I don't just don't like hiding it in case of the "wtf is that?!" attitude I might get if people do see it.

The scar-reducing adhesive sheets I have looked into already but they all say the same thing. It only works on red, darkened, or elevated scars and not the white ones. Mine's not really elevated that much either. However if I'm mistaken I would really want to you to correct me on this.

[Damaged_goods]

If a plastic surgeon doesn't know how to get rid of it, I can see three options:

1) Makeup
2) Cosmetic tattooing
3) Tell everyone you got it duelling

#1 no way...

I've been using a variation of option #3 for years now to be honest (a streetfight excuse), but it just doesn't cut it anymore.

about #2 can you expand more on cosmetic tatooing?

I initually thought you meant having some kind of tatoo (as in a dragon or gun image) on my forehead to cover it up.

[B_Sharp]

3 words ...

Chicks Dig Scars :Cheeky:

[Damaged_goods]

3 words ...

Chicks Dig Scars :Cheeky:


lol thanks for that comment but in reality well not really (some girls I've dated didn't mind much but some actually rejected me based on the scar alone and this really does shit my self-esteem). I wouldn't want a scar on my any of my girlfriends and I can imagine it's the same deal the other way around. Maybe if it was on my body or something but when it's on my face and more specifically on my forehead...

well let's just say it's not exactly the best place on my body for it.

Or
4) try another plastic surgeon. (Although I do like #3)

The one I asked told me that there isn't a surgeon in the world that can make a scar smaller but only bigger. I'm not sure but if that's really the case
(once again PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong), but if it is then there isn't really anything that can be done by plastic surgeons.

The doctor even referred me over to a cosmetic laser specialist at MGH and mentioned the possibility of laser dyes though he didn't say much probably because he doesn't want to be too misleading. I haven't gone to the referral yet because I don't want to hear the bad news in case laser dyes don't work on my type of scar (heard this somewhere and don't know if it's true).


Once again any method out there laser dyes, scar-reducing adhesive sheets that work specifically for my type of scar, pigment changes, etc, or just to clarify on some of the methods please list them.

[perfessor]

#1 and 2 no way...

I've been using a variation of option #3 for years now to be honest (a streetfight excuse), but it just doesn't cut it anymore.
Fifteen years ago, I received 16 stitches in my cheek, after losing a rather lopsided battle with a dumpster lid.

I told everyone that I was in a knife fight in an Alabama roadhouse. Now, I'm 5' 7" and 140 lbs., so it seemed plausible to me that I would lose such a fight. For some reason, no one believed me. :huh:

[Damaged_goods]

Fifteen years ago, I received 16 stitches in my cheek, after losing a rather lopsided battle with a dumpster lid.

I told everyone that I was in a knife fight in an Alabama roadhouse. Now, I'm 5' 7" and 140 lbs., so it seemed plausible to me that I would lose such a fight. For some reason, no one believed me. :huh:

Well being 18 and being growing up with peers that are basically other teens and kids, I guess younger ppl believe it easier. I also did have a history of school fights (not alot though) so it probably does help lend credibility to my story.


Don't mind me asking but have you looked into ways for treating the stitches and do you know of anything to help it's appearance?

In case you didn't notice from my replies I haven't really come to terms with it and if there's a better alternative than "coming to terms" I would glady want to know.

[perfessor]

Don't mind me asking but have you looked into ways for treating the stitches and do you know of anything to help it's appearance?

In case you didn't notice from my replies I haven't really come to terms with it and if there's a better alternative than "coming to terms" I would glady want to know.

I'm afraid I'm not going to be much help. At 35, married with kids, I was willing to laugh it off - I was happy that I hadn't lost an eye.

A scar represents damaged skin. An incisive wound such as I got will leave a small scar; a burn for example will damage much more skin and cause much more problems. You haven't said what caused your scar but it sounds like it's too wide to cover with adjoining skin. If you don't like what the first plastic surgeon said, try another.

I hope you find a solution, whether it be a medical procedure, or attitude adjustment. I'll tell you another story - when I met my wife, she had (still has) a deep pock-scar on her chin. It was about the LAST thing I noticed. :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

[epepke]

about #2 can you expand more on cosmetic tatooing?

I initually thought you meant having some kind of tatoo (as in a dragon or gun image) on my forehead to cover it up.

Sure.

Over the past 7 years ago, some tattoo artists have gotten into using tattos to cover up the results of serious surgery. I've seen some pretty impressive results. For example, some people have lost their lips completely due to surgery. The tattoo artist was able to tattoo decent-looking lips onto the scar tissue.

If this is just a whitish scar, then the fix seems trivial. Just tattoo some pigment resembing the pigment of the surrounding tissue onto the scar. When it's done right, it should be undetectable.

Tattoo technology is currently very good, and the dyes used are excellent.

Of course, you'd have to find a really good tattoo artist who could do this sort of thing. I really have no idea on how to find a tattoo artist who is good at this; I only know that they exist. I'd suggest trying to find some physicians who work with burn patients and asking them about cosmetic tattoo artists.

[starling]

Oooh, no have the plastic surgeon zigzag it. Then you can claim to be Harry Potter! :)

[easychair]

Oooh, no have the plastic surgeon zigzag it. Then you can claim to be Harry Potter! :)

If your scar is very wide, raised, and pink, you could have a keloid problem. Better to leave it as it is.

[WindowPane]

I have used Mederma on a small raised white scar (from a knife puncture wound) and it is still there, but is much much less noticeable. Most days I forget it's there.

I've also used Mederma on a non-elevated white scar from a burn and it completely disappeared.

[Stella]

Just out of curiosity, how big is this scar?

I have stretch marks, so if you find a talented tattoo artist with about 15 free years let me know, will ya? ;)

[Damaged_goods]

I'm afraid I'm not going to be much help. At 35, married with kids, I was willing to laugh it off - I was happy that I hadn't lost an eye.

A scar represents damaged skin. An incisive wound such as I got will leave a small scar; a burn for example will damage much more skin and cause much more problems. You haven't said what caused your scar but it sounds like it's too wide to cover with adjoining skin. If you don't like what the first plastic surgeon said, try another.

I hope you find a solution, whether it be a medical procedure, or attitude adjustment. I'll tell you another story - when I met my wife, she had (still has) a deep pock-scar on her chin. It was about the LAST thing I noticed. :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

Mine's was actually caused by a birthmark. It's not really that wide though, it's about 2 inches in length and a little less than half an inch wide on the center while the ends aren't very wide at all more like a centimeter.

It's not raised much...maybe a centimeter or so of different while the skin has a texture that you can tell is a scar. The fact that it's white and shiney (most likely due to the tension of pulling the skin tightly together through stitches) on my forehead is what bothers me the most. I guess you could call it virtually flat despite the 1 cm difference.


Maybe I should've been more clear but the plastic surgeon doesn't want to perform a scar revision of any sort is because he doesn't think it's that bad.
Doing so might not make a better scar but instead just a different one. So he just referred me over to a dermatologist specializing in lasers (which I actually skipped the appointment because I don't want to be given any bad news).

So it's not a burn scar or anything just a white stitched scar that's not very raised and not noticable actually unless people look at me face to face and range to being very noticable if the lighting is a particular way. Yes it's still very bothersome nontheless.

[Damaged_goods]

Just out of curiosity, how big is this scar?

Hi, I just gave a reply with the info in the above post.

I have stretch marks, so if you find a talented tattoo artist with about 15 free years let me know, will ya? ;)

No problem I suppose, though I live in MA and it would most likely be localized.

[Damaged_goods]

Oooh, no have the plastic surgeon zigzag it. Then you can claim to be Harry Potter! :)

I actually have gotten that comment even though it's not zig zagged. I hate it with a passion.

[Damaged_goods]

Sure.

Over the past 7 years ago, some tattoo artists have gotten into using tattos to cover up the results of serious surgery. I've seen some pretty impressive results. For example, some people have lost their lips completely due to surgery. The tattoo artist was able to tattoo decent-looking lips onto the scar tissue.

If this is just a whitish scar, then the fix seems trivial. Just tattoo some pigment resembing the pigment of the surrounding tissue onto the scar. When it's done right, it should be undetectable.

Tattoo technology is currently very good, and the dyes used are excellent.

Of course, you'd have to find a really good tattoo artist who could do this sort of thing. I really have no idea on how to find a tattoo artist who is good at this; I only know that they exist. I'd suggest trying to find some physicians who work with burn patients and asking them about cosmetic tattoo artists.

This pigmentation thing does sound doable and seems to be suited for my scar (I will check with a doctor about it first of course.)

Yes it is just a white scar that's not elevated much. What I'm wondering about is whether or not it's possible to make the texture less scar looking without making the scar worse or more raised (as I stated above the dotor didn't think it was that bad and it's at most 1 cm raised) and then go for the pigmenting tattoo.

I hope you have some knowledge in this area because I've got some general follow-up questions if you don't mind. Do you know if the pigment colors change over time or is it safe to say that it'll last?

Also, what happens if you get a tan or does it still blend in pretty well even with a light tan or tan along with the skin?

[epepke]

I hope you have some knowledge in this area because I've got some general follow-up questions if you don't mind. Do you know if the pigment colors change over time or is it safe to say that it'll last?

Ten years ago, I wouldn't have recommended this. But the tattoo pigments that they have today just rock. Twenty years before you'll need a touch-up. But I cannot stress this too strongly: you really need an up-to-date tattoo artist who has experience with cosmetic tattoos for surgery.

Also, what happens if you get a tan or does it still blend in pretty well even with a light tan or tan along with the skin?

Again, you really need a good artist for this. It's not simply a matter of matching colors; it's a matter of foooling the human visual system into not perceiving a difference. There are ways to do this. For example, tiny stripes or checks will cause the visual system automatically to blend in colors from surrounding areas. A good artist can do this and have it be robust for a range of varying skin tones. It will never be perfect, but it can be extremely good for a decent range of distances and lighting conditions.

[greyline]

I would kill for a two-inch scar on my forehead instead of the eight-inch scar down the middle of my chest.

After my surgery I used vitamin E oil (break open the capsules sold for internal use) but I'm not sure if it would work so many years down the track. Also, of course, I had no "control" to know if it did any good, but that's what was recommended to me to reduce scarring.

To reduce the shine, try using an oil-absorbing moisturiser, like the ones we girls use on our T-zone. I have one here made by Garnier, called Synergie Pure: Sebum Control Moisturiser, containing zinc and clay. I may be talking crap here because I guess it's not oil causing the shine in your case. Talcum powder (or a powder puff) may work too.

Seriously, though, girls DO dig scars. Would be nice if boys did, too.

[Jackalope]

I will put in that a flat, white scar can indeed be covered by a tattoo. However, I don't think you want the sort of tattoo I have on my leg. :devil3:

I have seen people with alopecia get eyebrows tattooed on, and it looks good. If you get a good artist, that is. You do need someone who has experience at doing reconstructive work.

The one thing I have found that will help minimize scars that are red or raised is borrage seed oil. It has a high alpha linoleic acid content and some anti-inflammitory properties. I've used it on lupus scarring on my face. The scars are now mostly flat and silver, which is fine since most of my skin is depigmented at this point anyway...

[Paul2]

you could draw a smiley face on it. or if it's big enough, put a gift shop on it.

[Boro Nut]

Need helpful advice about improving a scar's appearance.

Have radical total body plastic surgery to make the rest of youself look exactly like Action Man.

Boro Nut

[Persidian]

Question, are Mederma and similar treatments worthwhile on acne scars and indentation type skin damage? I've got a slight "dent" near my ear where I had a giant zit years ago, and although I'm probably the only one to pay it attention, I've been wondering if it was worth trying to repair.