Anyone can experience being cut or stabbed by sharp objects like knives or glass. These injuries are commonly called incised wounds. Many people often think that incised wounds will disappear quickly and neglect them, only to later worry about deep scars. Today, we will learn more about the treatment methods for incised wounds caused by sharp edges such as knives, glass, or awls.
How are incised wounds on the face treated?
When an injury occurs on highly mobile areas of the body, such as the cheeks, nose, or forehead, excessive collagen production can lead to relatively larger scars. Especially when incised wounds remain on the face, they can significantly affect one's impression, necessitating a treatment method that minimizes side effects while ensuring effective results.
In such cases, Subcision and Pinhole Technique, which are known to be effective for depressed scars, can be used together.
- Subcision: This method severs the collagen fibers that pull the skin down, restoring the depressed area to some extent.
- Pinhole Technique: Using the Ultrapulse Encore laser, which has proven powerful regenerative effects, tiny holes are made in the sunken area to help it regenerate to be as similar as possible to normal skin.
With these two treatment methods, most depressed scars caused by incised wounds can be significantly improved. Above all, since the scars are on the face, it is recommended to receive treatment from a dermatologist with extensive experience in scar treatment.
Why early intervention is important for sharp injuries
Injuries from sharp knives or glass tend to leave scars, so it is very important to respond and treat them appropriately in the early stages.
First, if the injured area is bleeding heavily, it is advisable to stop the bleeding, then immediately disinfect the wound and apply a moist wound dressing.
For deep wounds, visit the emergency room, then receive dermatology treatment!
However, if the wound is too deep, you must visit an emergency room for an accurate diagnosis and suturing. Many people think that once the bleeding stops, it will be fine, and often do not properly disinfect the wound or neglect deep wounds without seeking medical attention.
In such cases, not only can the golden time for incised wound treatment be missed, leading to more severe scarring, but there is also a risk of bacterial infection or tetanus. Therefore, it is advisable to receive treatment at a nearby emergency room and then visit a dermatology clinic for further care. Also, in daily life, care must be taken to prevent fragments of glass or similar objects from remaining deep in the skin, which could worsen scarring.
Many people think that once the bleeding stops, it will be fine, and often do not properly disinfect the wound or neglect deep wounds without seeking medical attention. In such cases, not only can the golden time for incised wound treatment be missed, leading to more severe scarring, but there is also a risk of bacterial infection or tetanus. Therefore, it is advisable to receive treatment at a nearby emergency room and then visit a dermatology clinic for further care.
For long, linear incised scars, suturing is not always the best option
One common method chosen to treat long, white, linear incised scars is surgical suturing of the skin. Generally, if the skin is gaping, suturing is appropriate, but for long, linear incised scars, it is generally considered that surgical suturing is not necessary.
Especially, surgical suturing can be accompanied by the following side effects, so it should be decided carefully:
- Individuals prone to scarring due to their constitution may experience worse scars after surgery.
- There is a possibility that the sutured area may widen or leave a larger scar over time.
Especially, the skin on the wrist is soft and thin, so even with careful treatment, scars often become prominent and noticeable over time. Therefore, in such cases, receiving regular scar laser treatment after removing the stitches to reduce the scar can yield more satisfactory treatment results.
Multiple linear incised scars can be improved with laser treatment
If multiple long, linear incised scars have formed on an area like the wrist, surgical treatment is almost impossible. In such cases, laser treatment is more suitable. You do not need to worry too much, as excellent treatment results can be achieved with minimal side effects through laser procedures alone.
Our clinic conducted clinical trials on incised wounds in a 2014 paper on laser treatment methods excellent for scar improvement. It was reported that by finely cutting long, linear scars with a carbon dioxide laser to make their distinctive shape less noticeable, and regenerating most of the depressed areas to be as similar as possible to the surrounding skin using the Pinhole Technique with the Ultrapulse Encore laser, a high improvement rate of over 70% was observed.
Do not neglect incised wounds; consult a dermatologist
We have addressed common questions related to incised wounds caused by being cut or stabbed by sharp objects. Being cut by sharp objects like knives is common, and incised wounds can be improved significantly with treatment. However, if left untreated, they can not only remain as deep scars but also become increasingly difficult to treat. Therefore, rather than trying to improve them on your own, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist with extensive experience in scar treatment.