Most wounds and skin injuries
result in some degree of scarring
What are scars? /
Scars are unfortunately, a natural part of our body’s healing process.
People develop visible scars on the skin when the biologic process of wound healing patches together damaged tissues with a strong, fibrous network of collagen. Most wounds and skin injuries result in some degree of scarring but each person’s unique skin properties and complexion will show this differently. A smooth, shiny or raised patch of skin caused by a scar will look and feel different from the normal skin cells around it. Often, scars will fade and lighten over the years as they mature, however for many people, darker pigmentation or a raised appearance can make scars stand out as obvious and for some can become a source of embarrassment. Scars on the face left by chronic acne breakouts can leave pitted, wavy and red or purple skin changes. Not getting a scar treatment well in time, especially acne scar treatment also puts patients in a timid position.
Scarring related to burns or surgical injuries can appear as smooth and discoloured patches of skin which may also be tight and distort the surrounding skin. Stretch marks are a common type of scar, caused by deep layers of skin tearing under pressure during growth spurts, pregnancy, and muscle / weight gain. Collagen and elastin in our bodies is meant to expand and retract naturally but when stretched rapidly, the structure and smooth surface of the skin can be permanently changed, leaving a series of linear indents and stripes on skin areas such as the thighs, buttocks, breasts, chest, arms and tummy.
What are the choices for scar treatment?/
Many people search in vain for scar removal creams and lotions that will make their unsightly scars disappear.
Often, beauty products promise more than they can deliver; and can be misleading, however there are non-surgical, cosmetic technologies and medical grade products which can drastically improve the appearance of scars. Visiting Dr. Bector for scar treatment in Toronto at his Dr. Bector Cosmetics location is your first step to restored, beautiful skin.
How does PRP treat scars?
One of our most powerful non-surgical scar reduction treatments involves Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP. This revolutionary healing and rejuvenating procedure is one of the most safe and natural options available, even in case of acne scar treatment. This is because PRP uses your own blood plasma, loaded with powerful stem cells, to trigger a healing and collagen producing response where it is injected. There is no risk of allergy or side effects as there can be related to medications. PRP, done quickly and easily in the clinic allows your doctor to regenerate cells and increase collagen and elastin where scarring has left skin weak, damaged and poorly textured. Hyper-pigmentation and scarring from anything, whether acne or stretch marks can be greatly improved with this leading edge treatment method. Results can be instant and will continue to build over the weeks and months post injection.
Smoother, firmer and more even skin is noted even after the first treatment and typically a series of 3 will be recommended, one month apart, for optimal scar reduction. To get a more detailed and personalised information about this scar and acne scar treatment in Toronto, you can book an appointment with us. It also helps build the tarnished self esteem of the individual.
Is Radio Frequency therapy useful in scar treatment? /
Radio Frequency, (RF) therapy, uses painless beams of radio waves to heat scar tissue and remodel the texture of skin. RF Therapy is often used in medical and cosmetic clinics to treat skin laxity and reduce the appearance of cellulite. With different settings available, high-power Radio Frequency platforms can also be used for ablative treatments which remove a thin layer of tissue to reveal healthy new skin underneath. At our clinic, RF Therapy is occasionally used for rendering acne scar treatment in Toronto. This painless, non-surgical treatment is an effective way to improve the smoothness of the skin and reduce scar texture.
Low-power RF systems are commonly used for gentle, dermatological re-modeling of mild scarring because they cause small amounts of thermal damage within the skin, but they are non-ablative. These micro-injuries trigger the body’s natural healing and tissue rebuilding process to strengthen and smooth skin from the inside out. Moderate-to-severe cases may require skin resurfacing with more aggressive acne scar treatments.
Can Chemical peels help treat my scar? /
Chemical peel solutions can be a great way to safely reveal new, fresh skin and minimize the appearance of scars.
They are useful not just for the face, but chest, back and other areas too. Exfoliating solutions such as alphahydroxy acid, (AHA), or betahydroxy acid (BHA), are called, “chemical peels” because they will chemically destroy a very thin layer of surface skin to speed up healthy cell regeneration and assist with removing old, discoloured and damaged cells. There are very mild peels available and stronger solutions which cause several days of skin redness and peeling as a natural part of their renewal process. Usually, more than one chemical peel is recommended to build a dramatic result and visible improvement
A ”deep” chemical peel penetrates into the middle skin layer. This is the most effective option for reducing shallow scars and hyper-pigmentation. A deep peel will require some downtime and aftercare but only needs to be done once and the positive effects are sustained.
What is a keloid scar?
Hypertrophic or Keloid scars are those which have overgrown and are raised, reddened or dark, firm, and spreading. Sometimes hypertrophic scars itch or feel painful because they have developed blood vessel and nerve involvement. They may resolve on their own and are more common than keloids which typically expand past the injury borders. When the body goes into overdrive with collagen and fibroblast production, keloid scars overproduce scar tissue and grow into small tumours. It is estimated that about 10% of people are prone to developing keloid scars and they may occur even as a result of small injuries. People who have darker skin pigment seem to be more prone to forming keloids.
How are Keloids treated? /
In-office steroid injections have become a common, nonsurgical option for the treatment of hypertrophic and keloid scars.
Triamcinolone, also known as Kenalog injections, are the standard steroid used to calm overgrowth of tissue to flatten and fade scars and keloid scars in specificity. Injection dosage and repeated treatments will be customized for the individual client depending on their needs and the size of the scars. 1-3 separate treatments may be advised for scar treatment in Toronto at our hands. Minor reactions to steroid scar treatment may include hyper-pigmentation, (loss of pigment) or subcutaneous atrophy which means that fat in the treatment area can shrink and cause a depression.
Hypertrophic scars have been shown to respond better than keloids to Kenalog injection, but early identification and keloid scar treatment may help improve results as well.
Complimentary Consultation /
Based in Toronto and treating scar reduction needs all around the GTA, I take great care to ensure that each client’s unique needs and scar concerns are addressed with the best possible treatments and products for them. You are welcome to book a complimentary consultation to have a one-on-one discussion about the best scar treatment available in Toronto for you at our clinic.