Ask the Doctor with Dr. Gloria Ndagire

Dear Doctor,
I have a scar on my cheek secondary to a pimple scratched during shaving. My worry is that the scar grows bigger with time though I try to avoid scratching it. How should I get rid of this scar?
Dan

Dear Dan,
SCAR formation usually results from wound infection during the process of healing. Scars that only cover the extent of the wound but are significantly raised are known as hypertrophic scars.

These scars gradually reduce in size and the skin gradually returns to normal. These differ from keloids, a term used to describe scars that extend beyond the original extent of the wound.

What you have described sounds more like a hypertrophic scar. In case of scars that continue to increase in size, application of over-the-counter silicone products may cause the scar to reduce in size.

Other forms of treatment include steroid injections applied directly to the scar for several weeks. Surgery is a last resort in case of huge unsightly scars.
Contact a skin specialidst for advice.

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