How to Get Rid of Scratch Scars

Anything from a deep gouge to a light, seemingly harmless scratch can create a scar, which occurs when tissue forms over a wound that is healing. Most scars appear lighter in color than the unaffected skin around them. Depending on their size and location, scars can be disfiguring or distracting, but there are ways to lessen their appearance. A scar from a scratch is easier to eliminate than one from a deep wound.

Visit a dermatologist for dermabrasion treatment, which can be very effective on light scarring. Dermabrasion works by wearing away at the top layer of skin with a fast-moving wire, brush, diamond or other stone. The hard object skims the skin and scar tissue. The heat created by a dermabrasion treatment stimulates new cell growth, which should result in lightening -- and in many cases near removal -- of a scar from a scratch. Most dermatologists recommend two to four dermabrasion treatments. Side effects can include red and sensitive skin at the location of treatment.

How to Fade Scars From Chemical Burns

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Undergo a chemical peel treatment by a dermatologist or certified specialist. Chemical peels are similar to dermabrasion, but there is a greater risk of scarring if a chemical is misapplied, according to the American Academy of Dermatology 1. These peels use an acid, often glycolic acid, to burn off the top layers of your skin and stimulate new skin growth. Depending on the visibility of your scar, you may need anywhere from one to eight treatments to eliminate the scar tissue. Another option is to purchase a chemical peel kit and apply it yourself at home, but follow directions carefully to prevent further skin damage.

Receive a pulsed dye laser treatment, which uses concentrated yellow light to eliminate redness and flatten scars. This treatment by a dermatologist can help resurface your skin, returning it to its original condition. Other laser treatments can be successful in killing off scar tissue, particularly the kind that resides beneath the surface of the skin and can't be easily treated with topical methods. As with chemical peels, the number of treatments depends on the amount of scar tissue. Most scars require multiple treatments, but for scratch scars, four treatments should be sufficient.

Tips

For deep scars or those on the face, you can schedule surgery to remove scar tissue. This is the most invasive scar treatment option and requires more healing time. It can also be the most expensive option and poses the highest risk of residual scarring. Surgery is often viewed as a last resort and is rarely needed for light scars, such as those resulting from a scratch.