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Have Scar On Cheek. Redness Appeared After Applying Liquid Nitrogen On It. What Is Wrong?
Question: Hi Doctor
I am 38 yrs male 6ft 2 inch height have a scar XXXXXXX in left cheek , in 1987 after that one skin specialist at NRS Hospital applied liquid nitrogen resulting the area got red and after few days the scar marked remains till date.
I am 38 yrs male 6ft 2 inch height have a scar XXXXXXX in left cheek , in 1987 after that one skin specialist at NRS Hospital applied liquid nitrogen resulting the area got red and after few days the scar marked remains till date.
Hello XXXXXXX Welcome to XXXXXXX
Thanks for your query.
From what you have mentioned, I believe you have a post inflammatory hyper pigmentation /Atrophic scarring due to a procedure done about 15 years back.
Liquid nitrogen is a frequently used modality to eradicate unwanted lesions in skin like Warts etc. Ideally , this is superficial and should not leave a scar.However, the depth of freezing with liquid Nitrogen will depend on the depth of the initial lesion .In case the initial lesion is deep in skin , the scarring cannot be avoided. This is especially true for asian skin which is pigmented.
Now, to know about the available methods of treatment ,we need to consider the scar from two aspects:
1) Colour of the scar : In case the scar is darker than the surrounding skin ,you will need medical therapies to lighten it as far as possible and blend it with the surrounding skin.
2) Scarring leading to a atrophy of the spot : This might need surgical treatments / laser treatments/ treatment with deep peels/ subscision etc .
Frequently , a good approach is to use a combination of one to several methods of the above. Unfortunately ,this type of scarring does not improve with medical therapies alone.
In general , old scars are more difficult to remodel than the new ones.
I will be able to guide you better if you can send in the pictures of the scar ( in good resolution).You can mail them to YYYY@YYYY with the subject as 'ATTN.DR.TANUSHREE BISWAS'.
Please mention the reason of the liquid nitrogen therapy with respect to the initial lesion you had before the treatment.
Did you see any change with Contractubex cream?
I will be happy to answer your follow-up queries.
Best wishes,
DR.TANUSHREE BISWAS
Thanks for your query.
From what you have mentioned, I believe you have a post inflammatory hyper pigmentation /Atrophic scarring due to a procedure done about 15 years back.
Liquid nitrogen is a frequently used modality to eradicate unwanted lesions in skin like Warts etc. Ideally , this is superficial and should not leave a scar.However, the depth of freezing with liquid Nitrogen will depend on the depth of the initial lesion .In case the initial lesion is deep in skin , the scarring cannot be avoided. This is especially true for asian skin which is pigmented.
Now, to know about the available methods of treatment ,we need to consider the scar from two aspects:
1) Colour of the scar : In case the scar is darker than the surrounding skin ,you will need medical therapies to lighten it as far as possible and blend it with the surrounding skin.
2) Scarring leading to a atrophy of the spot : This might need surgical treatments / laser treatments/ treatment with deep peels/ subscision etc .
Frequently , a good approach is to use a combination of one to several methods of the above. Unfortunately ,this type of scarring does not improve with medical therapies alone.
In general , old scars are more difficult to remodel than the new ones.
I will be able to guide you better if you can send in the pictures of the scar ( in good resolution).You can mail them to YYYY@YYYY with the subject as 'ATTN.DR.TANUSHREE BISWAS'.
Please mention the reason of the liquid nitrogen therapy with respect to the initial lesion you had before the treatment.
Did you see any change with Contractubex cream?
I will be happy to answer your follow-up queries.
Best wishes,
DR.TANUSHREE BISWAS
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thnx Doctor Biswas
the reason of application of liquid nitrogen was cosmetic to erase the scar XXXXXXX there is no difference with Contratubex application, will send the photos as advised soon
the reason of application of liquid nitrogen was cosmetic to erase the scar XXXXXXX there is no difference with Contratubex application, will send the photos as advised soon
Hello..Thanks for following up.
If you do not see any change with Contractubex cream, it is because the scar might be non-responsive to medical methods /applications alone .This is expected for old scars as I mentioned.
I will wait to see the pictures of the scars to opine better.
Meanwhile I advise you continue application of the Contractubex gel for a total of 3 months.It contains heparin , which loosens tissue structure and also makes the scars prepare for remodeling by Laser/Surgical methods, if required.
Best Wishes,
DR.TANUSHREE BISWAS
If you do not see any change with Contractubex cream, it is because the scar might be non-responsive to medical methods /applications alone .This is expected for old scars as I mentioned.
I will wait to see the pictures of the scars to opine better.
Meanwhile I advise you continue application of the Contractubex gel for a total of 3 months.It contains heparin , which loosens tissue structure and also makes the scars prepare for remodeling by Laser/Surgical methods, if required.
Best Wishes,
DR.TANUSHREE BISWAS
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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