Scarring may be part of life but living with a scar is optional. Scars can form as a result of acne outbreaks, other conditions such as chicken pox (varicella) or even simple surgery. Some of us may be blessed with skin that heals like a dream but others may find that they tend to scar more easily.

The golden rule about any scars is that early treatment is often met with increased success rates. According to plastic surgeon Dr YC Tan from SW1 Clinic, interventions such as using a pulsed dye laser just after stitch removal has been shown to reduce the incidence of hypertrophic and keloid scars, and seems to improve the healing process of the skin.

Even if you don’t have the luxury of a team of full-fledged laser specialists to attend to your scars, there are many things you can do to minimize the appearance of unsightly scars and get your skin as flawless as possible again.

  1. Silicone tape

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Silicone tape has been shown to help the appearance of both early and old scars. There are new versions of this tape which are made to be skin coloured and can be easily pasted on over the scar. Wear it for as many hours a day for as long as possible. Silicone tape improves the appearance of the scar and flattens protruding scars. It’s a cheap and cost-effective way to flatten raised scars.

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  1. Pulsed Dye Laser – Vbeam

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Vbeam is the laser that is on many plastic surgeons’ tongue because it is one of the most studied lasers when it comes to improving the appearance of new scars as well as red scars. When used early on new scars, it seems to accelerate skin healing, reducing redness as well as reduce the risk of hypertrophic and keloidal scars. Some studies report that vbeam laser when applied on the day of suture removal seems to give the best results.

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  1. Fractionated carbon dioxide laser – SmartX

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Apart from the colour, some scars have textural issues. They may look rougher or waxier than the surrounding skin. They may be slightly raised or slightly depressed. All these can be targeted by a skin resurfacing laser such as SmartX laser. This fractionated carbon dioxide laser works wonders to promote new skin remodeling which evens out skin texture. In certain clinics, the combination of both Vbeam and SmartX lasers seem to generate optimal outcomes for post-surgical scars.

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  1. Moisture

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Skin that is hydrated tends to heal better over time. On the body, an inexpensive way to keep scars moisturized is to apply a thin layer of Vaseline. On the face, while this can be a short term solution, most individuals worry about developing comedones with such an occlusive layer and may opt for more lightweight skin hydrators. Use organic oils such as grapeseed which is non-comedogenic yet can deeply hydrate skin without leaving a greasy feel. The natural vitamins found in organic oils is also an added bonus.

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  1. Sunscreen

You may not think this is important but it is! Sun exposure on scars will wreck the skin by breaking down collagen and in some cases, promoting hyperpigmentation and erythema. If you want skin that looks flawless, then invest in a good water resistant sunscreen for your scars.

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