Scar Treatment Questions and Answers

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Question:

I am a 46-year-old female with regular periods all my life. I have never been pregnant. I was married in the 1980s and had infertility testing done. The doctor was unable to find any problems. I did not seek further treatment. I have had several partners in my life and the only time I used contraceptives was for 6 months in 1976. It was Ovral. Now at 46, I am wondering if I could take a fertility drug and obtain donor sperm to try to get pregnant. What do you think and/or recommend?

Answer:

Dear Ruth Unfortunately your chances of getting pregnant using your own eggs is < 1%, EVEN if all the tests are normal. The next step at your age is either adoption or donor egg. However, every now and then someone gets pregnant at 46, however the miscarriage rate is also extremely high. Pls go see a fertility specialist to discuss your options. Good luck F. Sharara, M.D VCRM

Question:

A couple of months ago I had a real bad reaction to some makeup. I broke out with really bad acne. The acne has cleared, but some scars were left. What would you recommend to have these scars removed?

Answer:

Dear Marie, I wish it was easy to remove scars. It depends upon their character and depth. If they are very deep, they may need to be surgically removed. If more superficial, a type of deep resurfacing will improve them markedly and, if very superficial, a light treatment such as microdermabrasion performed a few times will make them much better. I would suggest that you visit with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon who offers all of the options in order to determine what is best for you.

Question:

Is dermabrasion the proper procedure for removal of lip lines and lines around the eyes?

Answer:

Dear Beverly, Many practitioners have used this for years around the mouth. It is dangerous on the lower eyelid and upper eyelid skin. Microdermabrasion is safer but not effective for all but the finest of lines. Most of us have taken to using lasers in this area for smoothing the skin with minimal risk of scarring. The only down side to this is the fact that it will be red for about one month to 6 weeks after the procedure. The choice of treatment should be based upon how severe the wrinkles are and not on the favourite procedure fo the surgeon.

Question:

I AM AFRICAN AMERICAN. HOW DO I GET RID OF DARK SCARRING FROM ACNE AND ECZEMA BREAKOUTS?

Answer:

Dear Visa, This is a difficult problem since African Americans do not want to remove all of the pigment but merely reduce the amount of color in darker areas so as to match the lighter brown of the rest of the skin. A white area actually looks worse in this patient population. My suggestion to you is to seek out someone experienced with treatment of darker skin with lasers. This is the only controlled way of reducing but not eliminating the excess pigment. I would suggest either a Q-switched KYP or Q-switched ruby laser for this process. Make certain that test spots are performed first and that at least 3 months is left before an actual treatment (it can take a while for the pigment to reduce).

Question:

I have been naseous for the past 6 years!! My mom claims it's my nerves and that it's all in my head and to basically stop being a hypocondriac, unfortunately if it was that easy I'd feel fine. But I can't get rid of it. No matter where I am or what I'm doing I will eventually feel sick. Just recently it got a lot worse. It turned from feeling sick to actually throwing up, during exams I was throwing up every 5 hours and couldn't keep a thing in my stomach. And I lost a lot of weight because of it. I don't have an eating disorder, I have no problem with my weight, except that I might be a bit too skinny. I like food and i want to eat, it just makes me feel sick. This is starting to ruin my life. I don't go to parties or concerts because I'm scared I'll throw up in front of people, I tend to get worse in crowds. A few years ago I went to a clinic and told the doctor that I'd been feeling nauseous for years, he just looked at me strangly and told me that there was nothing wrong with me. Which only discouraged me from seing anyone else, I could have stayed home and had my mom tell me there was nothing wrong with me, but there is, and it's really upsetting to think that nobosy believes me. A few weeks ago I was reading a magazine about a girl who had an anxiety disorder, and all of my symptoms were the same as hers, except where she would have panic attacks and chest pains, I feel sick and have to run to a bathroom. I was just wondering if this could be what I have, and if so how do I convince a doctor that there' something wrong with me? I really don't want to live like this anymore. It really doesn't make life worth living. I find it really hard to explain to people, especially doctor's, and when i try I either feel sick talking about it or start crying because this "disorder" control's my life and there's nothing I can do about it. But I have to try to get it fixed because I an't lose anymore weight, and I'm starting a new job in a couple weeks and I'm scared I'll get fired if I have to keep leaving to throw up. Please if anyone is reading this HELP ME!!!

Answer:

I recommend you first see a Gastroenterologist (a stomach specialist) to see if there is a physical explanation for your problems. If all your tests come out normal you should then see a Psychiatrist. Whether your sypmtoms are due to a physical problem or anxiety, they are very troublesome for you and are affecting your life. It is highly likely that with the correct diagnosis and treatment you will feel much better. Good Luck.

Question:

On April 9,2001 I was at work and a burning torch that I was using blew up in my face.I suffere from 2nd degree burns on my face neck and chin.Since then I have developed some blisters and as of right now I feel like there will be some scars left behind and some skin discoloration as well. Before this I had no scars in my face and I was quite proud of that but now I will bare scars so I want them removed. Can you give me any advise?

Answer:

Dear Aretha, You should visit with a burn surgeon who will be able to tell you at this point if there is any permanent scarring. If there is, there are a great many things that can be done from surgery through to laser treatments in order to make the scars better.

Question:

Hi, I'm a 17 year old single mother of a 6 month old son. During my pregnancy I developed horrible strech marks that completely cover my stomach and go in circles around my belly button. I was wondering what type of surgery would best get rid of my battle scars and an approximate price. I would love to show off my stomach in a bikini again!

Answer:

Dear Julie, If you have a lot of excess skin in addition to the stretch marks and plan on having no further children, a tummy tuck is still the best option. Despite the long, low scar, it is the best means of removing the stretch marks if a tummy tuck is needed for other reasons. If your skin is not loose and the muscle are still tight, successful treatment options are limited. Many have tried laser and microdermabrasion treatments with very limited success. New non-resurfacing lasers which stimulate collagen production may be useful but they have not yet been extensively tested.

Question:

I am a 21 year old African American women who as of late has had abnormal growth of facial hair. At first I thought that I might have polycystic ovaries or it could be attributed to the 85 lbs I have gained these past four years at college. Others say that the hair is so thin that they can't see it. Nonetheless, I am very self-conscious about it. Is laser hair removal a safe alternative for me? I am not 'fair-skinned' and in my research I've found that the surgery is recommended for people with very dark hair, which I have, and light complexions. I have also heard that hormone replacements might do the trick. I believe that I have solicited this hair growth by removing hair when there was very little growth ( i.e. waxing, shaving, etc). Much to my dismay the hairs have grown back thicker. Which lasers would be best used on me? What is the scar risk? Alternatives? How much would the surger cost?

Answer:

Dear BH, You are looking into this at a very opportune time since third generation hair removal lasers have just become FDA approved in the US. These lasers will remove the unwanted hair with very little risk (when used by the right laser surgeon) and give very good results after 3 to 5 treatments of an area. I would not suggest hormone replacements since they have far more universal effects on your body. Weight loss always helps since hormones are altered by fat in the peripheral tissue. The best lasers to use are long-pulsed YAG lasers of which there are several, the most effective, likely, being the LYRA laser by Laserscope. I would suggest that you find a laser surgeon in your area with this laser. Treatment costs vary across the country. My office charges $50 per square inch of facial skin treated per treatment. Scarring almost never occurs.

Question:

I have a tattoo on my shoulderblade, and would like to have it removed. I am most interested in the method of salabrasion. Can you tell me exactly how it works and what would take palce during the procedure, and do surgeons use this method anymore?.

Answer:

Dear Johanna, Salabrasion is a method whereby salt is used as the abrasive agent for removing layers of skin and concomitantly, tattoo ink. It is no longer used except by those who do not have the ability to provide laser tattoo removal. The laser, does not take a layer of skin off but specifically removes the ink. This is preferred since there is little or no risk of scarring. I would suggest that you visit with a local physician who has laser tattoo removal capablities in his/her office to discuss this treatment further

Question:

I was told about a year ago that I had PCOS, but I just blew it off. Now My husband and I are trying to get pregnant but can't. What doctor should I got to, Or what should I do. I am really scared because I have all of the symptoms of PCOS. Should I see a gynocologist or a fertility doctor? Please help me

Answer:

A Reproductive Endocrinologist would be best since we are more familiar with PCOS when conventional treatments (like clomid) do not work. Your husband would need to be investigated of course, you would also need an HSG and some other tests (thyroid, prolactin). Your gynecologist can start ordering these tests, but if you are not pregnant after a couple of clomid cycles you should see a fertility specialist, preferrably a board certified one. good luck

Question:

I am 37 weeks pregnant & have been taking lorcet plus (narcotic) the entire pregnancy. I have been going to all my prenatal visits & I have never told my doctor about taking this medication. I guess I just expected them to find it in the blood work, but they have never mentioned it. So far my pregnancy has been normal with no other problems. My ultrasound & other tests have come back normal. Now I'm getting worried about my baby being addicted at birth, among other things. I've tried to stop using on my own, but I haven't been able to. I really want to tell my doctor, but I am so scared. How will he react? What will he do? Can I get in trouble? Can he tell anyone else? Will it be kept private? What would be the best way to go about telling him? I'm embarrassed, but I know I have to tell him fo my baby's sake. This medication isn't prescribed to me. If you could help me, I would appreciate it so much! Thank you!

Answer:

It is important that your Dr know about it. I would explain it in the same way that you did here. I am not sure what the laws of your state are but it is unlikely that you would get into any legal trouble if this is the only issue. Your baby may be born addicted and if that is the case, may have withdrawls after birth. THe prompt recognition and treatment of this condition in your baby will depend on you being honest and forthcoming wwith your Dr. Most of the time in life, the right thing to do is obvious. This is one of those times. Good luck. Daniel Potter, MD havingbabies.com

Question:

what can be done about acne scars and holes on your face? Is laser surgery the way to go?

Answer:

Laser surgery can be an excellent form of treatment for such problems. However, a consultation with a Plastic Surgeon is neeeded to determine if this is the best form of treatment. Call 1-800-635-0635 for the name of a qualified surgeon in your area.

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