Ways Of Treating A Hypertrophic Scar

Corticosteroid Injections

Corticosteroid injections are one of the most popular treatments for hypertrophic scars. A corticosteroid is a kind of artificial hormone that works by lowering inflammation at the injection site. The injections are given to patients every six weeks and tend to be very effective. The downside is that corticosteroid treatments must be discontinued after a period of time. Unfortunately, they do their job a little too well and soften the skin close to the scar, which can lead to problems after a while. There are also many short-term side effects associated with steroid injections, including bleeding, bruising, infection, and acne around the injection site.

Application Of Silicone Sheets

The application of silicone sheets is a hypertrophic scar treatment individuals can easily do at home. Silicone sheets are most effective for recently formed hypertrophic scars, and they can be used as soon as an injury heals. Individuals who know they are prone to hypertrophic scarring may use silicone sheets preemptively to prevent these scars from forming. Silicone sheets must be placed over the scar and kept there for at least twelve hours at a time. Doing this for two or three months will help reduce the scar's appearance. If the sheets are uncomfortable or inconvenient, an array of alternative silicone treatments is available, including sprays, foams, and gels. Each form of silicone comes with its own set of instructions for best use. The upside of silicone treatments is doubtlessly the ease of doing them at home; the downside is the amount of time involved.