Self-Harm Scar Treatment: Top 5 Questions Patients Ask Most

Hello. This is Lee Sang-ju, a dermatologist at the skin concern counseling center. Self-harm scars are more than just wounds; they are traces of past pain. I would like to sincerely answer five key questions that many people have about self-harm scar treatment, as a dermatologist.

Many people believe that older scars are more difficult to treat or take longer. However, unless it's a red scar within 6 months (an early scar), the treatment efficacy does not decrease whether the scar is 1, 2, or 10 years old. Even old self-harm scars can show good results with active treatment.

Generally, ointment can be somewhat helpful for red scars within the initial 6 months. However, if the scar color has turned white after 6 months or more, ointment is unlikely to be of much help. Hospital treatment focuses on regenerating the damaged scar to transform it into the desired form.

Yes, it is possible. Whether there is one self-harm scar or 100, the treatment method does not differ significantly. The only difference is that the time I spend performing the procedure will be longer, but the treatment efficacy will not decrease.

Yes, treatment is fully possible even in the summer. Generally, laser treatments that require caution in the summer are pigment lasers for conditions like melasma. Scar treatment is not significantly related to summer UV radiation, so treatment can proceed regardless of the season. However, since there is a lot of sweating in the summer, it is advisable to avoid overly strenuous exercise during the treatment period.

Stating that scars can be 100% perfectly treated is not true. However, with consistent treatment, the scars will gradually fade with each session. Our treatment goal is to improve the scars to the point where they are not easily visible unless viewed up close.

• Treatment Goals:
  • Improvement of scar color and texture
  • Softening of the boundary with surrounding skin
  • Improvement to be unnoticeable from a distance