We know time heals all wounds, but what about the scars left behind? Scars are a part of the natural healing process of the body. Raised scars, also called hypertrophic or keloid scars, result from excessive collagen formation after any skin injury, such as acne, piercings, incisions, or burns. They can be found anywhere on the body but most commonly occur on the back, chest, and upper arms.
Get The Facts
Raised scars can be treated with a steroid injection that is placed directly into the scar and lasts for several weeks. The steroid flattens the raised tissue by breaking down excess collagen in the treated area. Because steroids are anti-inflammatory, the scar injections also ease the itching, redness, and burning sensations of the scar. A series of treatments with ongoing medical assessment by a doctor and nurse is recommended, with most patients noticing improvement in symptoms after one treatment.
Before you Arrive:
+ Please ensure you have filled out your Health History/Intake form before your appointment. If you are unable to complete it, please arrive 15 minutes early
+ We recommend eating a light snack or meal 30min – 1hr before your appointment
How to Prepare:
+ Though it’s not necessary to take an over-the-counter analgesic, some patients prefer to for mild pain management
+ Ensure it has been at least 4 weeks since your last Scar Steroid Injection
What to avoid:
We recommend avoiding the following:
+ Fresh sun exposure to the treatment area 5 days prior
+ Waxing or shaving the treatment area 5 days prior
+ Cuts, scrapes, burns, or infections to the treatment area
+ Is it our policy not to provide treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Downtime:
+ Very minimal downtime as the injection is localized to the treated area.
+ Mild redness, swelling, and pain to the injection site is normal and should subside in a few hours
+ Daily SPF application is recommended if exposed to the sun
What to Avoid:
We recommend avoiding the following:
+ No makeup over the treatment area for 12-24 hours
+ No laser treatments for 2-4 weeks
Follow Up:
+ Depending on the type/severity of the scar, several treatments over 2-6 months will likely be required for the desired outcome
+ Quick and easy injection
+ Thinning of scar tissue
+ Hypertrophic scars
+ Keloid scars
No. Because such a small dose of the steroid is injected, the medication stays localized to the treatment site, meaning it will not have any systemic effects.
Most patients notice a decrease in scar thickness and itching symptoms after just one injection, with gradual improvement over time with consistent treatments. It usually takes about 3-6 treatments to see a significant flattening of the scar.
It is best to wait until the scar has completely healed after the damage has taken place, which can take as little as 3 or as long as 18 months in some individuals, depending on the severity of the scar.
It’s never too late to start taking care of your skin! We recommend adding skincare products to help skin cell turnover and collagen production in your early 20s to sustain healthy, rejuvenated skin.
On average, we will see noticeable, long-term results at or around week 12 with consistent use of your medical-grade skincare products.
The injection itself may cause some discomfort, but local anesthesia is often used to minimize pain during the procedure. After the injection, some individuals may experience mild soreness or a temporary increase in pain at the injection site.
&
Follow our socials to stay up-to-date.
