WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Health Alert: Botox for scars

Health Alert: Botox for scars

(National) November 14, 2006 - Botox injections can help you maintain a more youthful appearance. Now doctors are taking the toxin a step further by helping patients with disfiguring facial scars.

Botox injections have quickly become the most popular non-surgical way to turn back the clock.

In fact, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery says about 3.3 million Botox injections were given last year.

Botox, which is derived from botulinum toxin, works by temporarily relaxing the muscles around the forehead, eyes and frown-line areas.

Now doctors are using that same concept to help minimize disfiguring, facial scars.

Tyrena Huggins recently had skin cancer removed from her face. It left a gaping hole.

"I felt like I hit rock bottom 'cause, uh, what I was expecting was something like this, well it came out was something like this and when you see a hole in your face it's like, oh no. And I started screaming and crying."

Doctor Brissett repaired most of the damage through reconstructive surgery and used Botox injections to minimize Tyrena's scars.

Dr. Brissett said, "By using Botox, we've allowed that body to heal for three months without putting any stretching, or tension, or pulling on the scar itself."

Less than a year has passed since Tyrena's surgery and it's nearly impossible to tell there was ever a scar. She now likes what she sees looking back in the mirror.

Botox for facial scars is still being studied. Doctors say Botox works best within the first two to three months of the injury.

FAST FACTS:

• Scars are a natural part of the wound healing process.
• Many scars eventually shrink and fade. However, some people can develop serious, disfiguring scars.
• Doctors are using injections of BOTOX at the time of surgery or wound injury to minimize movement of nearby muscles and reduce the risk of disfiguring scars.

For general information on wounds, scars, and scar treatments:

• American Academy of Dermatology
• American Society for Dermatologic Surgery 
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons 
• Wound Care Information Network 

Wound Healing and Scar Formation
When the skin is cut or broken, the body mobilizes a wound repair process. The blood vessels constrict and clots form to minimize blood loss. A scab, or hardened crust, forms over the top of the wound. The scab acts like a natural covering to protect the area while the body continues the repair process. Tiny fibers of collagen fill in the hole and eventually reconnect the ends. By the time the scab naturally falls off, much of the initial repair has been finished. However, the area is far from healed. Depending upon the size, depth and location of the injury, it can take months to years for the skin to return to normal strength.

Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process. A scar forms from excess amounts of collagen in the wound as the body attempts a repair. Many scars eventually fade. But they tend not to go away completely. Generally, the larger the wound, the longer it takes to heal and the greater the chance of a visible scar.

Sometimes the body goes overboard in the healing process, leading to the development of thick and/or raised scars. There are several types of these "problematic" scars. Hypertropic scars are raised, pinkish-red areas located inside the borders of the original injury. They are often described as "itchy". In some cases, hypertropic scars shrink and fade on their own. Keloids are raised, deep-red areas that tend to cover much more area than that of the original injury. Even when surgically removed, Keloids tend to recur. Atrophic scars are skin depressions, like those that sometimes form from severe acne. They are caused by inflammation that destroys the collagen during the rebuilding process, leaving an area of indentation.

Posted 10:19am by Bryce Mursch