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Facial Plast Surg 2001; 17(4): 283-288
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-18826
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Nonoperative Techniques for Scar Management and Revision

C. W. David Chang, W. Russell Ries
  • Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
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Publication History

Publication Date:
05 December 2001 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Facial plastic surgeons are frequently called upon to manage facial scars, whether iatrogenic or traumatic. Numerous treatment modalities are available for scar management depending upon scar characteristics, age, and patient expectations. The focus of this article is to review commonly used nonsurgical methods of scar revision. These include topical applications (silicone, vitamin E, pressure dressing, herbal extracts), intralesional medication (steroids, antimitotics), soft tissue augmentation (collagen, fat), laser applications (585-nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye, CO2), cryotherapy, and make-up camouflage. Nonsurgical modalities can be used as prophylactic prevention of adverse scar formation, as definitive treatment, as intervening therapy until further surgical repair can be made, or as adjunctive treatment following surgical scar revision.

KEYWORD

Scar management and revision - nonsurgical techniques - flashlamp-pumped pulsed-dye laser - topical silicone - soft tissue augmentation

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