SCAR REDUCTION

We care about your cosmetic outcome. Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process that occurs when a wound closes following surgery.  The time skin takes to heal varies.  It is important to know that scarring is considered to be the final stage of wound healing and all wounds will form scars, but not all scars will become abnormal scars. Scars will start to develop 48 hours following wound closure and can fade within 3 months or take up to 12 months to continue improving. Please inform us if you have concerns on how your scar is progressing so we can re-evaluate and advise you. Dr. Saluja no longer accepts CareCredit as a form of payment.

• The most important thing is to follow the moist wound care instructions (apply ointment and nonstick band-aid, also, if possible) until sutures are removed or the skin heals over any open wound. An alternative is daily use of liquid band-aid. It is normal for the skin to be red and firm the first few weeks after your procedure. It is possible for internal sutures to spit, instead of dissolve.  If this occurs, sometimes you can get a pimple-like bump in the scar line.  If you see a suture spit, you can leave alone, snip suture yourself, or return to the office for care.
• Exercise affecting the scar area is to be avoided for 2-3 weeks or more. Exercise pulls and stretches scars.
• Gently massaging scars for 5 minutes each night to reduce firmness and lumpiness is a good idea, but only on a scar older than one month old.
• To help diminish scars, please ask us for our preferred scar cream or ointment to be used daily after sutures are removed, or used after the skin heals. This will help greatly to improve a scar. Usually, these are used for 12 weeks.  Also during this time, protect the site from sunlight, which can darken scars as well.
• Please inform us as soon as possible if you have a history of hypertrophic or keloid scarring or if your scar starts to grow or is tender. We can prescribe medication or use medical grade silicone scar sheets or Skin Medica scar gel to try to prevent this. Steroids are sometimes also injected into the scar as soon as possible after this type of scar starts to form.
• More invasive treatments that also help improve scarring that can be done after surgery are: Pulsed light or Yag laser treatments to remove any tiny blood vessels that may have formed around the site, fractional laser treatments, and special microneedling procedures, including SkinPen microneedling and RF microneedling. Please call the office for evaluation.

Safe, individualized, and comprehensive skin cancer surgery with cancer cure and cosmetic outcome top of mind is provided at Dermatology + Plastic Surgery, led by board-certified dermatologist Anita Saluja, MD and double board-certified plastic surgeon Rebecca Novo, MD, and serving residents of Melbourne, Indialantic, Viera, Brevard County, the beaches, and neighboring areas in Central Florida. Contact our office today to learn more about skin cancer surgery and treatment options.

CREATING LIFELONG RELATIONSHIPS With Our Patients

READ MORE REVIEWS

Dr. Saluja and her staff are excellent.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Saluja for almost two years. Since beginning treatment my confidence has soared. I am so thankful for her help and recommendations I’m treating my skin. I look completely natural and healthy. Thank you Dr. Saluja for all your help! I definitely feel “my best self!” 

Dr. Saluja is fantastic, gentle and knows her stuff.

REVEAL YOUR MOST Radiant Skin

Dermatologist Dr. Anita Saluja and plastic surgeon Dr. Rebecca Novo have created an online shop for your convenience. They have curated scientific skin care products that they believe will deliver results: For Your Best Self. And you can always contact our office with any questions.

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