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Callaghan. Plast Aesthet Res 2020;7:66 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2020.166 Aesthetic Research

Review Open Access

Review on the treatment of scars

Daniel J. Callaghan

Colorado Dermatology Specialists, Denver, CO 80237, USA.

Correspondence to: Dr. Daniel J. Callaghan, Colorado Dermatology Specialists, 3540 S Poplar St Suite 300, Denver, CO 80237,
USA. E-mail: danieljcallaghan3@gmail.com

How to cite this article: Callaghan DJ. Review on the treatment of scars. Plast Aesthet Res 2020;7:66.
http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2020.166

Received: 16 Aug 2020 First Decision: 15 Sep 2020 Revised: 29 Sep 2020 Accepted: 26 Oct 2020 Published: 18 Nov 2020
Academic Editor: James E. Zins Copy Editor: Cai-Hong Wang Production Editor: Jing Yu

Abstract
Scarring is a major concern for patients. From acne scarring to surgical scars, scars can have a dramatically
negative effect on one’s self-esteem and are a common complaint for which patients seek treatment. This review
will focus on the treatment of acne scarring including ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars, and also the treatment of
surgical scars including atrophic and hypertrophic scars.

Keywords: Scarring, acne scarring, surgical scars

INTRODUCTION
Scarring is a condition that aesthetic physicians are frequently called upon to improve. The treatment of
scars can be a rewarding albeit frustrating endeavor. Scars or scarring come in a number of varieties, and
treatment must be tailored specifically for each patient. This chapter will focus on the treatment of acne
scars and surgical scars as these are most routinely encountered in practice. Acne can produce ice pick,
rolling or boxcar scars and treatment can vary widely from the use of fillers, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or
energy-based devices. Similarly, surgical scars can be treated with a number of modalities from injectables
such as intralesional triamcinolone or 5-fluoruracil (5-FU) to resurfacing technologies.

ACNE SCARS
When it comes to facial rejuvenation, the treatment of acne scars is one of the things that can make the
most dramatic improvement. While acne, and thereby acne scarring, generally occurs in one’s teens or

© The Author(s) 2020. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use,
sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as long
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and indicate if changes were made.

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