Many people get flustered when going to the doctor’s office. Whether it’s the bland waiting room, the crisp pinch in the air, or the anxiety of someone poking you all over asking, “does this feel weird?” The answer is yes; it does feel weird when you apply pressure to my abdomen! Is this a medical pain…? Probably not, but now all you can think about is how to get out of there with minimal emotional suffering.
If that sounds anything like you I would recommend adding a medical mantra to your pre-doctor routine. Most insurance plans will cover a yearly check up and dermatologist visit. This means you only get one chance to ask all of those questions you keep hidden in the back of your mind. While at the dermatologist it’s always important to show your doctor any large or irregular moles, but that should go without saying. Here are 5 questions to ask your dermatologist in regards to scar treatment, acne scars, and remedies.
1. What kind of scar do I have?
There are three main types of scars: atrophic, keloid, and hypertrophic and all are treated differently. Read more about these types of scars here.
2. How do I get rid of acne scars?
The more recent the scarring the easier it is for them to heal. While nothing besides medical procedures have been proven to completely erase a scar, other processes have had significant impacts on lessening the appearance of acne scars.
3. Will over the counter creams work to remove scars?
Because all scars are different it is hard to say what does and what does not work. One popular over the counter scar removal cream that has documented success is Mederma. Click the link to read about Mederma success stories.
4. What are the medical solutions for scars?
Medical treatments for scarring on the body have the highest success rates. These medical procedures include: laser therapy, surgical removal, microdermabrasion, and filler treatments. Read this blog for more information about medical procedures used to remove stretch marks.
5. Do you recommend a specific type of scar treatment?
No single person will scar in the same way and because of that it makes selecting a treatment procedure difficult. A dermatologist will take into account your age, time of scarring, severity, and location when counseling.
Acne scarring can be especially traumatic because it usually occurs in young adults during a time of hormonal imbalances, and growth. Though adult acne scaring can also cause discomfort and anxiety. The most important thing to remember is that all scars will fade over time, and if one treatment isn’t working for you be patient, wear sunscreen, and try something new.