What to do about hypertrophic scars

[SarahVaughter]

Dermarolling or needling a hypertrophic scar is a good idea but you must be extra careful when it is a keloid. It is not the same thing.

The difference between a keloid and a hypertrophic scar is that a hypertrophic scar is raised but it is more or less within the boundaries of the original injury. Keoloid scars totally outgrow the original boundaries of the injury and they grow to all directions. A person prone to keloids (it is rare) can get a huge scar just after a bug bite or vaccination.

You can needle/stamp a keloid but initially, treat just a very small part of the keloid to see how it responds. Keloids are unpredictable.

What to do about hypertrophic scars:

Perform three times a week:

- Needle the hypertrophic scar superficially with our single needle (thin scars) or a 1.5 mm dermastamp (wide scars)

- After needling, perform pressure massage. Apply pressure with your fingers onto the scar spot by spot. Apply pressure to each spot quite strongly   for about 20 seconds.

Repeat the pressure massage daily (but only three times a week in combination with needling).

On thick/tough hypertrophic scars, apply wart remover once a week (for sale OTC, usually contains salicylic acid and lactic acid).  Apply without needling.

-Every three weeks, needle or stamp the scar densely and deeply to crush the scar collagen.

Why needling helps hypertrophic scars:

http://forums.owndoc.com/dermarolling-microneedling/needlingdermarolling-hypertrophic-scar/

You can try:

Retinoic acid (A-Ret):

http://forums.owndoc.com/dermarolling-microneedling/Effect-of-retinoic-acid-on-hypertrophic-scars

Contractubex:

http://forums.owndoc.com/dermarolling-microneedling/Contractubex

Silicone sheets:

http://forums.owndoc.com/dermarolling-microneedling/Kelo-cote-cream-for-hypertrophic-scars

[help123]

Hi Sarah. I have a long surgical hypertrophic scar on my neck and this is really my last hope. You said http://shop.owndoc.com/product-info.php?oneliner15-pid181.html to roll the scar once every 5 weeks but in this thread you said three times a week.. I'm really confused.

Also my scar is quite long AND thick so I'm unsure whether to purchase the dermastamp or the one line roller. I don't really want to purchase two incase it's wrong.

Thanks,

[SarahVaughter]

In your case, a 1 or 1.5 mm dermastamp is the best option.

The five-week interval to use a one liner dermaroller is only if you use it in combination with a regular roller, if the one-liner roller is used in between the dermarolling sessions with a regular roller. It is the case in the link you provided.

[help123]

Thanks Sarah, I've emailed you with a photo. I hope that's OK.

[SarahVaughter]

Your scar does not look hypertrophic but the photo is quite small so the details of the scar texture are not very clear.
 
Since your scars are right in the middle of the neck, it would be better to use a 1 mm dermastamp instead of a 1.5 mm size.
 
If you use needles longer than 0.5 mm, do not push the needles too much into your Adam's apple. You can use microneedling on that area, but only gently,
not applying much pressure.

 

 

[help123]

Hi again, just thought I would update you/ask for some help.

I've been following your instructions for raised hypoertrophic scars for months now and I'm seeing improvement, I started seeing a lot for the first few months now I just cannot for the life of me crush the remaining collagen... I just can't seem to flatten the surgical scar any more or get rid of the redness. I'm seriously losing hope and it's getting me down. I've started stamping even more than 8 times per area and then apply retin-a, then follow the rest of the steps.

Do I go for a 2mm stamp or single needle? Is there anything left for me to try? It's the redness that bothers me the most and the retin-a just isn't combatting it anymore.

Thanks again.

[cj123]

I had a red hypertrophic surgery scar that was about 2 inches long and purple red for several years. It was raised and the colour didn't get any better. The I read about silicone sheets for scars and I bought some. I applied the silicone sheet and attached it with the tape provided and wore it as instructed for about eight hours a day. It took several months but the colour went completely back to normal and the raised tissue shrank so much that today you can't even tell there was a scar there unless you look really closely. Do some research on the internet. There's lots of info about it.

[April]

I'm glad to hear you had success with silicone sheets.  I have a small raised red scar on my chest that kind of appeared spontaneously several years ago and will be receiving some cream and sheets with tape in the mail tomorrow that I'm hoping will work.  I also may try the pressure massage referred to on this forum.

[SarahVaughter]

For redness:

Buy NUROFEN rapid capsules or NAPROXEN capsules. They both contain a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory substance. Pierce a capsule and apply a little of the liquid regularly on the scar overnight.

Do not apply it right after stamping, start a day after.  If the redness is caused by residual inflammation, it can help.

How old is the scar?

[help123]

about 4 years now which is why i'm getting annoyed. it's such an annoying place for silicone sheets too.

[help123]

i took your advice but instead of the capsules, i got the gel. i don't want to risk the pill version not absorbing. i'm assuming the gel has a delivery system for the skin. i just can't imagine how inflammation can stick around for so many years - it is so annoying! i'll dramatically stamp every 3 weeks and use silicone gel in the mean time. i feel like i've done everything.

[SarahVaughter]

If it is not residual inflammation, the redness can be melanin pigment. Melanin is normally present in the skin. The skin sometimes reacts to injuries by overproducing melanin in that area. In that case, you can try hydroquinone but you must apply it for a long time because it only reduces formation of new melanin, it cannot remove existing melanin.

[help123]

but that's the other thing, the scar is well under my neck. sunlight would never reach it. from the photos i sent you there's one beneath it which is exposed to sunlight and that isn't red, i just assume it's red from over stretching it as it healed hence why it's hypertrophic/red.