Scar Massage
Scar massage is a non-surgical technique used in day-to-day scar and burn care. There are multiple techniques that can be used and that are quite easy to apply.
Vacuum Massage
Vacuum massage is also known as depressomassage, vacuotherapy or Endermologie®. It is a non-invasive mechanical massage technique. It is performed with a mechanical device that lifts the skin by suction and creates a skin fold which can be mobilised. In the late 1970s, Louis-Paul Guitay developed the Endermologie® system (or LPG), this uses both suction (negative pressure) and mechanised rollers to mimic manual massage. LPG can provide consistent and effective treatment in a shorter time. Treatment sessions are painless and vary from 10 minutes to longer depending on the state and size of the scar.
Exercise and Splinting
People who sustain burn injuries can experience reduced activity performance due to periods of immobilisation, ventilator dependence, the burn-related catabolic response, pain, limiting scars, muscle weakness and reduced fitness levels. High levels of fatigue may also be experienced. Many of these problems can be more noticeable after discharge from hospital.
Micro-Needling
Micro-needling is a semi-invasive technique that can be used on the face and body to achieve collagen induction (production). In this technique the skin or scar is pricked with needles to cause percutaneous collagen induction, this builds up connective tissue underneath retracted (contracted/stuck) or hypertrophic scars and wrinkles.
Non Ablative Fractional Laser (NAFL)
A Non-Ablative Fractional Laser (NAFL) is a non-wounding laser, it does not damage the integrity of your epidermis. NAFL uses a wavelength that does not evaporate the water in the tissue, and the energy from the laser heats the tissue in a controlled manner. Therefore, many patients prefer NAFL to ablative laser treatment. The rise in temperature stimulates the production of new collagen. By producing new collagen, the remodelling of the scar tissue is improved. Although NAFL is less invasive, requires less recovery time and has less complication risks, is not as effective as ablative laser resurfacing.