Mar 03, 2010

Dermatologist says innovations in scar treatment are underway

While many surgery procedures will inevitably leave a scar on the skin of patients, doctors have recently placed an emphasis on researching procedures and post-operative techniques that strive to achieve minimal scarring.

Dr James Spencer, an associate professor of clinical dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said he believes that current innovations in scar prevention among surgeons and skin doctors are leading to smoother, less noticeable scars, ModernMedicine.com reports.

"The aesthetic outcome is better if you can make the incision in a relaxed skin tension line," Spencer explained at the January 2010 Orlando Dermatology Aesthetic and Clinical Conference.

He added, "A specific example of a good surgical technique - make a bold, clean cut, [rather than] saw-like stabs. End with good wound care with occlusive dressing."

In addition, while some popular methods to minimize the appearance of scars after surgery, such as breaking vitamin E capsules on the mark, have shown no benefit in studies, new techniques in scar healing have emerged.

Products such as silicone gel sheeting or silicone ointment have been proven effective in hydrating scars in the weeks after surgery, and ultimately reducing their size and pigmentation.
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