What is scar therapy?
- Scars can be treated in lots of ways – scar therapy uses non-surgical techniques to try to help the scar tissue settle down and feel better.
- Every scar is different and there may one or more scar therapies which treat your scar, alone or in combination with laser or scar revision surgery, to improve it.
- If you have a raised, red, lumpy or tight scar then scar therapy might help improve the scar.
- Scar therapy can help to make scars softer and flatter and can make them less red and feel more normal to touch.
What does it involve?
Scar therapy uses a variety of non-surgical techniques to improve the scar including:
- Targeted scar massage
- Silicone therapy
- De-sensitisation regimes
- Compression garments
- Oedema/Lymphoedema (swelling) management
- Physical supports
- Skin camouflage
- Psychological support
What happens after the treatment?
- Your progress with the specific scar therapy which has been recommended will be monitored by your scar surgeon.
Are there any risks with the laser treatment?
As scar therapy is non-surgical there are very few risks, however the following are possible:
- Discomfort/pain – any treatment of scars which are sore can increase the discomfort – this is usually temporary but can in very rare cases increase the discomfort and be permanent.
- Allergic reaction – it is uncommon, but allergic reaction to silicone or other scar therapy is possible and may require further treatment.