Scar Treatment 101 with Dr. Connor

We sat down with Dr. Michael Connor, one of the co-founders of the Scarology Ultimate Scar System, to find out more about the anatomy of scar treatment. His expertise in plastic and reconstructive surgery in the face and neck has given him years of experience.

1. As a physician, what initially drew you to skin care, in particular scarring? 

Scarring found me! My patients’ scars are all on the face so I am asked every day, ‘What can be done for my scar?’ There was nothing on the market that I could confidently say was great so I set out to find something for my patients. After 18 months of research, I found four key ingredients that truly made a difference in scar healing and Scarology^® evolved from there.

2. In your opinion, what is the most important thing that should be done immediately after an injury to the skin? 

First, cleanse the wound of any debris or foreign material because an infection could lead to significant scarring. For minor injuries, use an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment, such as Bacitracin, until the skin is healed. Seek medical attention if there is significant tissue damage or for moderate to severe burns. Once the skin is completely healed, use Scarology's^® 3-step system for the best possible results.

3. What should be done if scars itch or hurt?

Gently massage the scar with Scarology's^® scar cream. Do not pick at scabs or scratch a scar as it could incite inflammation and lead to more itching or pain.

 4. With older scars in mind, what is the best way to attempt to treat them with Scarology^®? 

I consider old scars to be scars that are more than two years old. No single, one-dimensional scar cream is effective at treating old scars. Our skin remodels daily and a scar also undergoes these changes over the course of several years. An old scar cannot change without exfoliation. Scarology^® is different in that we have created the only exfoliator made specifically for scars. Add all three easy-to-use steps to your daily routine for maximum results. Scarology^® can be effective on old scars as early as one month; however, most require 6-12 months of daily therapy to see a noticeable improvement in color, thickness and texture. Scars that are over 15 years old may need a little laser resurfacing to get the healing process initiated again. Scarology^® is also a great product to use pre and post-treatment for people considering laser therapy on their scars to maximize the end-result.

5.How do you treat keloid scars?

A keloid is usually the result of excessive granulation tissue. It is the most   challenging scar type to treat successfully. A single topical therapy alone has no chance at affecting the appearance of a keloid and surgical revision can be costly and lead to more keloid formation. Steroid and 5FU injections have a limited use, but require administration by a physician. Scarology^® has the only scar treatment on the market with 3 unique steps that can work on different aspects of a keloid from the comfort of your home. The steps include exfoliation, administration of the scar cream and then using a compressive silicone sheet.

Gentle skin exfoliation can remove dead skin cells on the outermost skin surface. Then, massaging Scarology’s^® proprietary scar cream into the scar can stimulate collagen deposition, improve blood flow, facilitate wound hydration, reduce redness and improve texture. If you know you form keloids and have a new scar or wound, start Scarology^® as soon as the skin has healed. Please don’t forget to check with doctor first.