Hello, I am Dr. Sang-jo Lee, a board-certified dermatologist. Recently, there has been an increasing number of people visiting dermatology clinics due to scars left after self-harm caused by depression. "Self-harm scars" are often left untreated at the appropriate time due to social stigma. However, if treatment is started actively and not delayed, there is a good chance that the scars can be improved to the point of leaving almost no trace. Today, I will explain in detail the treatment methods for self-harm, from the wound stage to when it becomes a scar. In particular, it is important to remember that there is a golden time for scar treatment.
Self-harm wounds: Early response is crucial
Just like any other wound, self-harm wounds cause damage to the skin, so proper disinfection is essential to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
- If there is a risk of infection, applying an antibiotic ointment may be helpful.
- Applying a moist dressing, such as DuoDERM, can also have a positive effect on wound healing.
However, if the wound is shallow, it can be managed with the methods above, but deep wounds may require suturing. In this case, it is important to visit a nearby dermatology or surgical clinic for appropriate suturing treatment.
Don't miss the golden time for scar treatment
Self-harm scars, like general scars, also have a golden time for treatment. It is very important to start treatment as early as possible after the wound has healed.
For red scars, vascular lasers can be used to reduce excessive blood vessels, which can yield relatively good results.
White scars: Improvement can be expected with laser treatment
If the treatment period for red scars is missed or the scars are severe, they often settle as white scars. Even in such cases, treatment is possible.
In the past, surgical methods were mainly used for scar treatment, but for self-harm scars with multiple scars on the wrist or arm, the scars often became more prominent after surgery, or the cosmetic results after skin grafting were unsatisfactory.
Recently, laser treatment has been widely attempted, and the Pinhole Technique is particularly agreed upon by most doctors to show good results.
What is the Pinhole Technique?
The Pinhole Technique is a method that induces skin regeneration by creating microscopic holes in the scar area. You can think of it as a way to gradually fill in long scars. While it does not completely disappear with a single treatment and requires repeated treatments, it can help improve scars relatively safely with minimal side effects.
Scars covered by tattoos can be treated together
Some people get tattoos to cover self-harm scars, but many return to the clinic because the tattoo alone does not completely hide the scar lines. In such cases, laser treatment to remove the tattoo and laser treatment to remove the scar are performed concurrently.
Since two treatments are performed together, the treatment period may be longer, and the types of lasers that can be used may be limited, which should be considered.
Don't struggle with self-harm scar treatment alone
Today, we learned about self-harm scar treatment. Scars are no longer something to hide. If treatment is started actively from the early stages of the wound, there is a good chance for significant improvement. Rather than struggling alone, it is important to consult with a board-certified dermatologist to establish the optimal treatment plan for you.