From the Guidelines
To get rid of scar tissue buildup, handling the skin carefully and reducing shearing forces is crucial, as recommended in the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines 1. When it comes to managing scar tissue, it's essential to consider the severity and location of the scar.
- Start by handling the skin carefully and reducing shearing forces to minimize epidermal detachment, as suggested in the guidelines 1.
- Limit epidermal trauma by avoiding the use of sphygmomanometer cuffs, adhesive electrocardiogram (ECG) leads, adhesive dressings, and identification wrist tags, and instead use soft silicone tapes to attach essential clinical items 1.
- Consider using silicone medical adhesive remover to remove adherent clothes or wound dressings, and soft bandages or tubular bandage to secure dressings and cannulas 1.
- For more significant scars, consulting a dermatologist who might recommend steroid injections, laser therapy, microneedling, or surgical revision can be effective, as mentioned in a study on congenital melanocytic nevi 1.
- Physical therapy can also help with scars that limit movement, and results typically take weeks to months to become noticeable, with consistency with treatment being crucial for success. It's also important to note that some scars may lighten over time without intervention, which should be considered before any cosmetic intervention, as reported in a study on congenital melanocytic nevi 1.
- However, the most recent and highest quality study on the management of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis in children and young people, published in 2019, emphasizes the importance of careful skin handling and minimizing epidermal trauma 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Scar Tissue Buildup
There are several treatment options available for scar tissue buildup, including:
- Silicone gel sheeting: This treatment has been shown to be effective in reducing hypertrophic scars, but the evidence is of very low certainty 2
- Pulsed dye laser (PDL): This treatment has been shown to be effective in reducing hypertrophic scars 3
- Intralesional triamcinolone: This treatment has been shown to be effective in reducing hypertrophic scars, and can be used in combination with other treatments 3, 2
- Dermabrasion: This treatment can be used to improve the appearance of scars, but should be used 8 weeks after surgery 3
- Surgical revision: This treatment should be delayed for at least 12 months unless there is webbing, and can be used in combination with other treatments such as Z-plasty or local flaps 3
- Physical scar management: This treatment has been shown to be beneficial in improving scar issues such as pain, pruritus, pigmentation, pliability, surface area, and thickness 4
- Imiquimod: This treatment has been shown to have highly variable recurrence rates, and is not recommended as a treatment option due to very low certainty in its effect 5
Timing and Type of Scar Tissue
The timing and type of scar tissue are important factors to consider when choosing a treatment option:
- Hypertrophic scars: These scars can be treated with silicone gel sheeting, PDL, intralesional triamcinolone, and dermabrasion 3, 2
- Keloid scars: These scars can be treated with surgical excision, compression, silicone sheets, steroid-impregnated tape, imiquimod, intralesional injections, cryotherapy, laser, radiation, pentoxifylline, and dupilumab 6
- Posttraumatic scars: These scars can be treated with triamcinolone injection, dermabrasion, and surgical revision 3
Important Considerations
It is important to note that:
- Time helps scars to settle and fade, with typical scar maturation taking 18-24 months 3
- The role of stem cells, particularly from adipose tissue, warrants further study 3
- The evidence for some treatment options is of very low certainty, and further well-designed studies are required to reduce uncertainty around decision-making 2, 5