Facial Scarring
What is facial scarring?
Facial scarring is most commonly caused by cuts, scrapes, and burns endured in a car or motorcycle accident. Minor cuts and scrapes will heal on their own, as long as you keep them clean with warm water and mild soap. More serious wounds may need stitches if:
- The area around the wound feels numb
- After 20 minutes of direct pressure, it’s still bleeding profusely
- It’s deep or gaping enough for you to be worried about scarring
Burns occur in varying degrees. A first-degree burn will clear up within 3-5 days and will not usually blister or scar. Any burns more serious than a first-degree burn have the potential to scar.
What are scars?
Scar formation is a natural part of the skin’s healing process. Atrophic scars appear as a pit or dent in the skin, and are generally the result of accident wounds. Hypertrophic scars are raised and red, due to an overproduction of collagen. Contracture scars are the result of burns, and appear as very tight skin.
Scars never go away completely, but there are methods of making them fade significantly.
How do you treat facial scarring?
There are various dermatologic treatments for facial scarring. Our board certified dermatologist can help figure out which treatment option is right for you.
Skin grafts are used to treat severe wounds and burns. This procedure involves removing damaged skin, followed by transplanting healthy skin onto the site of the wound.
Over-the-counter products are available for certain types of wounds.
Laser scar removal is an option for people with many different types of scars. This procedure involves using a laser to remove a layer of skin, or stimulate new collagen growth.
What is the recovery time for facial scarring?
Healing time for the original cuts, burns, and scrapes will depend on the severity of the wound, whether or not stitches or grafting was necessary, and your general health. Facial scars will fade with time, although they may not ever disappear completely.
If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need treatment for facial scarring, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our quick contact form for a FREE consultation.