16 replies to this topic

[Casablancaa]

I have two hypertrophic scars from two severe cystic bumps on my nose. From 5 years ago....as we all know, injections will work on newly formed scars...but yea not an option for the old ones that are inactive...........I'm going to look into whatever it takes to get rid of these things, they have very nearly ruined my life and I'm afraid of socializing because of them...I think that my options are actual surgery or laser treatment. what's prevented me from actually going forth is that I know these procedures will cost a fortune!


anyone with the same problem or has already got them removed??? advice/thoughts?


**EDIT= I have been using ScarAway Silicone Sheets on my six year old hypertrophic scars since November...here's my review on it ~

http://www.acne.org/...ost__p__3199785

Edited by Casablancaa, 01 January 2012 - 10:50 PM.

[beentheredonethat1]

Yeah, I have them too. Have you talked about this with any dermatologist yet?

[Casablancaa]

Yeah, I have them too. Have you talked about this with any dermatologist yet?

I have an appointment next week. Last time I talked with a derm about them was a few years ago. She didnt really know what to do and I was discouraged from that, so I wasn't proactive about it...I'm seeing a different dermatologist this time..

Also today I'm going to finally buy some silicone scar sheets (ScarAway) that I've heard works even for old hypertrophic scars and keloids. . . that'll be my first step, if that doesn't work...I'll discuss other options with the dermatologist.

Edited by calichick01, 08 November 2011 - 02:03 PM.

[LillyMay77]

why is injection not an option for you? I had a hypertropic scar on my nose injected three times over the course of 8 months with pretty good results. Its still there, though not nearly as noticeable. I actually just got another one on my chin. I have three one above my eyebrow, on the bridge of my nose and on my chin.

Edited by LillyMay77, 09 April 2012 - 12:24 PM.

[Casablancaa]

why is injection not an option for you?

Because my hypertrophic scars are 5 years old and after a certain time, when they become totally inactive, there's no point in injecting an old raised scar. You inject the cyst when it forms or when it is still a new scar. hence the "old" scar topic.

[LillyMay77]

Old scars, can indeed still be injected. My scar was injected 10 months into having it. Also if they are bothering you so badly and have compromised your social life, why didn't you do something about them when they first arose, wouldn't that seem the logical thing to do? I understand what your going through, I went through hell for a year with mine, and yes it made my life unbearable, but don't lose hope, there are many options for you, you just need to go to a very knowledgeable dermatologist that you trust.

Edited by LillyMay77, 09 April 2012 - 12:25 PM.

[Jabberwocky80]

I have one along my jawline from an old Fraxel Re:store burn. I've had injection after injection. It's flattened some and DEFINITELY not as hypersensitive as it was. It used to hurt when water would touch it in the shower. The best result I've had was from three light Fraxel Re:store sessions, PDTs, and short IPL treatments. I went to a plastic surgeon to see about cutting it out and stitching it back up, but the price he wanted discouraged me.

[LillyMay77]

I have one along my jawline from an old Fraxel Re:store burn. I've had injection after injection. It's flattened some and DEFINITELY not as hypersensitive as it was. It used to hurt when water would touch it in the shower. The best result I've had was from three light Fraxel Re:store sessions, PDTs, and short IPL treatments. I went to a plastic surgeon to see about cutting it out and stitching it back up, but the price he wanted discouraged me.

Just to let you know cutting a scar out, will just encourage your skin to produce more scar tissue.

calichick, what constitutes a "new" scar?

It doesn't matter how old a scar is it can always be injected. I had an 8 month old scar injected. It does not matter how old a scar is. ten years, two months.

[Jabberwocky80]

I have one along my jawline from an old Fraxel Re:store burn. I've had injection after injection. It's flattened some and DEFINITELY not as hypersensitive as it was. It used to hurt when water would touch it in the shower. The best result I've had was from three light Fraxel Re:store sessions, PDTs, and short IPL treatments. I went to a plastic surgeon to see about cutting it out and stitching it back up, but the price he wanted discouraged me.

Just to let you know cutting a scar out, will just encourage your skin to produce more scar tissue.

calichick, what constitutes a "new" scar?

It doesn't matter how old a scar is it can always be injected. I had an 8 month old scar injected. It does not matter how old a scar is. ten years, two months.

Just to let you know cutting a scar out, will just encourage your skin to produce more scar tissue.


Uh, YES, I'm quite aware of that. And the plastic surgeon I spoke with said as much.

And I DEEPLY apologize for not quoting this correctly. I haven't been to this website in forever.

[LillyMay77]

I have one along my jawline from an old Fraxel Re:store burn. I've had injection after injection. It's flattened some and DEFINITELY not as hypersensitive as it was. It used to hurt when water would touch it in the shower. The best result I've had was from three light Fraxel Re:store sessions, PDTs, and short IPL treatments. I went to a plastic surgeon to see about cutting it out and stitching it back up, but the price he wanted discouraged me.

Just to let you know cutting a scar out, will just encourage your skin to produce more scar tissue.

calichick, what constitutes a "new" scar?

It doesn't matter how old a scar is it can always be injected. I had an 8 month old scar injected. It does not matter how old a scar is. ten years, two months.

Just to let you know cutting a scar out, will just encourage your skin to produce more scar tissue.


Uh, YES, I'm quite aware of that. And the plastic surgeon I spoke with said as much.

And I DEEPLY apologize for not quoting this correctly. I haven't been to this website in forever.

Okay, I was simply letting you know, you made no mention of knowing this, you simply stated the price discouraged you. Leaving me to the assumption you didn't know this was a possiblity.

[Homer0001]

I had keloids injected on my chest that were at least 5 years old. The steroid can work but make sure it's a high enough concentration. If the doc is going to give you 5 mg, then that's a joke. Mine needed 30 mg.

Also, laser isn't as expensive as you'd think. One treatment of vbeam (pulsed dye laser) for me is $150.

[Homer0001]

^ I don't know if I'd call it a high chance, but there is a chance. If you've had several treatments and the keloid is almost flat, but the doctor wants to do one more treatment of high concentration steroid, then it's likely to indent. You and your doctor have to get a feel for it after each treatment. For example, for me, 20 mg/mL was too low of a concentration of steroid; it didn't do anything. 40 mg/mL was too much, it caused the scars to shrink quickly so it was hard to predict if the scars would get flat or "too flat" (indented) after 1 or 2 sessions. 30 mg/mL was just right. It shrunk the keloids enough each round to clearly see the progress, but not enough where the shrinking was uncontrollable and unpredictable.

[Roody]

There used to be hypertrophic scars on both of my chins, I have taken three steroid injection, with those raised scars looking flattened and much softened. Now, the doctor prescribed me Cica Care Silicone Gel Sheeting. Is there someone who used this medicine before? Dose it work well?

[DC-girl]

I have one along my jawline from an old Fraxel Re:store burn. I've had injection after injection. It's flattened some and DEFINITELY not as hypersensitive as it was. It used to hurt when water would touch it in the shower. The best result I've had was from three light Fraxel Re:store sessions, PDTs, and short IPL treatments. I went to a plastic surgeon to see about cutting it out and stitching it back up, but the price he wanted discouraged me.

What are PDT's?
Also am I understanding you correctly about this scar...........if it was a burn mark that was raised was it like a hypertrophic scar? Because you said it 'flattened"
Thanks

[Jabberwocky80]

I have one along my jawline from an old Fraxel Re:store burn. I've had injection after injection. It's flattened some and DEFINITELY not as hypersensitive as it was. It used to hurt when water would touch it in the shower. The best result I've had was from three light Fraxel Re:store sessions, PDTs, and short IPL treatments. I went to a plastic surgeon to see about cutting it out and stitching it back up, but the price he wanted discouraged me.

What are PDT's?
Also am I understanding you correctly about this scar...........if it was a burn mark that was raised was it like a hypertrophic scar? Because you said it 'flattened"
Thanks

PDT = Photodynamic therapy. A photosynthesizing agent -- ALA (aminolevulinic acid) was used on me -- is applied to the face, allowed to "marinate," then the solution is activated with light. I can't remember for sure, but I believe I "marinated" (for lack of a better word, but it's how I think of it, LOL) for about an hour before I laid down in a comfy doctor's chair under a blue light. The second and third visit involved a red light and a blue light, from what I remember. You have to be very careful about sun exposure afterward, and the skin will slough off on its own as it heals. This treatment is used against skin cancer/abnormal skin cells and for treatment of acne...killing the bacteria and helping to slow the overproduction of oil. I have also read it can be used for psoriasis, viruses, and microbes. There are several photosynthesizers out there...I believe the one I had was Levulan. I've read that PDTs have worked wonders and then again haven't done much. I'm one of those that it didn't help very much. However, I will say that I was told my acne would be cured after one PDT. Well, it wasn't cured after the first visit ("You might need one to two more"), it wasn't cured after the second visit, and it wasn't cured after the third visit ("You might be one of the ones who have to have maintenance done"). Sooo I now feel very misled by the doctor. Much later, after all this time, energy, and money, I found an excellent dermatologist who informed me that when he does PDTs he recommends between six to 12. Ugh! Anyway, if I ever choose to have any PDTs done again, I'll use my derm. It did temporarily help me with oiliness and pore size, and some fine lines around my eyes were reduced. Even those I am griping about my experience, if you're interested in getting a series of PDTs, read up on all the info you can and find a really good doctor. You may have excellent results where I didn't.

And yeah, the burn I received from the Fraxel Re:Store turned into a hypertrophic scar. I didn't realize the burn was as bad as it was, so I unknowingly didn't address it and treat it properly. Hence the scar. I've never had a hypertrophic scar before. Many of the various treatments I've had to help with the depressed acne scars have helped flatten this hypertrophic scar, but over time it has gradually raised back up. I've found a plastic surgeon I trust, and when I have the funds I plan to get it cut out, stitched up, and treated properly.