Is healing the end? Don't miss the 'golden time' for scar treatment

Hello.

I am Song Sang-hoon, the chief director of Goldendiamant Plastic Surgery in Gangnam.

Acne marks that bother you every time you look in the mirror, or scars from an accident, are often casually dismissed with the thought,

‘They’ll fade on their own over time.’

However, as a board-certified plastic surgeon, I can honestly tell you that the more you neglect a scar, the more challenging it becomes to treat, and the more noticeable it remains.

Today, I will summarize the types of scars and the timing of their treatment that you absolutely need to know.

What kind of mark is left on my skin?

Even if they all look like the same ‘scar,’ the initial approach to treatment varies completely depending on the type.

The first step in treatment is to identify which category your condition falls into.

• ‘Atrophic scars’ where the skin is sunken •

This type occurs due to damage to skin tissue and is divided into boxcar scars with distinct borders, rolling scars that are round and depressed, and icepick scars that resemble puncture marks.

They often appear in combination in patients with acne scars.

• ‘Hypertrophic & Keloid scars’ that are raised and convex •

These occur when too much collagen is produced in the wound area.

Especially for keloids, which grow beyond the original wound boundaries, constitutional factors play a significant role, making early intervention paramount.

• ‘Pigmented marks’ where only the color has changed •

These are conditions where the skin remains red or brown.

They can darken with exposure to UV rays, so thorough sun protection is essential.

‘Two months’ determines the fate of your skin.

There is a magical period for scars, known as the pre-scar phase.

Within approximately two months after a wound heals, when collagen is rearranging itself,

the size and shape of the scar are determined by the actions taken during this time.

1. Immediately after injury ~ 1 week: The top priority is to manage the wound with moist dressings to prevent scab formation.

2. 1 week ~ 4 weeks: After stitch removal, focus on thorough sun protection and the use of scar ointment.

3. 1 month ~ 2 months: This is the golden time for treatment. Starting laser and drug therapy during this period lowers the difficulty of treatment.

4. After 2 months: If collagen has firmly bonded, stronger intensity procedures will be required.

‘The sooner the treatment, the better’

is an absolute truth when it comes to scar treatment.

Goldendiamant’s 7 Precise Solutions

There is only one reason why we at Goldendiamant use seven types of lasers:

Because the depth and nature of scars vary for each individual.

• Texture improvement (sunken scars): We utilize CO2 lasers to finely ablate the skin and Fraxel to aid skin regeneration, tailored to the condition.

• Color and vascular treatment: Excel V is effective for scars with strong redness, and Pico laser is chosen when minimizing thermal damage is desired.

• Dermal regeneration and elasticity: Elysion, which uses micro-needles, and Olewave, which uses extracorporeal shockwave therapy, awaken collagen from deep within the skin.

• Soothing and finishing: After all treatments, Smartlux LED light therapy aids in rapid recovery.

Many people think that laser treatment alone is the end of it,

but the real key lies in the combination of laser and drug therapy.

In the upcoming Part 2, we will delve into the secrets of drug therapy that maximize laser effects and home care methods that can maintain the results at home.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact our clinic at any time.

Thank you.

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