How can I get rid of white hypertrophic scars on my cheeks?

Doctor's Answers 2

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Dr Joanna Chan

General Practitioner, Aesthetic

Acne scarring can be distressing to patients and affect their quality of life. There are many methods to improve the appearance of acne scarring available currently. However, it is difficult to ascertain the treatment modality most suitable for you based on the information given above solely. If you truly have hypertrophic acne scarring, some options include:

  1. Topical: medical-grade silicone gels, creams, scar dressings etc
  2. Minimally-invasive procedures: Intralesional corticosteroid injections, laser therapy, subcision
  3. Surgical excision

There are potential risks associated with all procedures and outcome of treatments vary based on condition and individual patient factors. I would suggest you see a trusted doctor to discuss more. Hope this gives you a quick overview of your options available!

It will be best to have a proper assessment by a doctor regarding your scars before deciding on the most appropriate mode of treatment. Acne scars usually present with atrophic scars, box car scars and ice-pick scars. However, they may present with hypertrophic or keloidal scars as well.

Treatment options for hypertrophic acne scars include:

  1. Application of topical products for scars like silicone-based sheets or gels which help to regulate collagen production over scars, or topical retinoids/azelaic which increase cell turnover rates and hence reduce the appearance of scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
  2. Chemical peels
  3. Intralesional injections with steroids and 5-Fluorouracil which reduce the bulk of hypertrophic scars
  4. Lasers which include fractional lasers like CO2 which help to resurface the skin and reduce the appearance of scars and uneven skin texture, and Picolaser which is very effective for acne scars.
  5. Needle subcision and surgical scar excision

As mentioned above, it is best that you get a proper assessment done by an experienced doctor as often, acne scars require more than one treatment session and a combination therapy approach to yield the best outcome.

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