Non-Operative Scar and Skin Treatments and Therapies
At Thames Valley Scar Clinic, we thoroughly evaluate your skin concerns, considering every aspect from appearance to functionality and psychological impact. Our focus is on addressing your individual needs and crafting a bespoke treatment plan, which may well encompass non-operative or non-invasive treatments. These treatments may be the primary treatment, or may be an adjunct to improve the efficacy of an operative treatment.
Here are some of the non operative treatments and therapies we may recommend.
Steroid Injection
What are Steroid Injections?
An intradermal injection of low dose steroid directly into the scar (Adcortyl® or Kenalog®).
It is used for thick, inflamed, hypertrophic and keloid scars.
Recovery Time
Approx 1-2 days
Number of Sessions needed
Usually 2-4, every 6-8 weeks
Type of anaesthetic
Usually local anaesthetic as a day case procedures.
Where will it happen
Thames Valley Scar Clinic.
What are the benefits of Steroid Injections?
- Low down time
- Effective
- Safe
- Can be repeated if scarring recurs
- Comparatively low in cost
Am I a good candidate for Steroid Injections?
- If you have a thick, red, scar
- People who suffer with thick and itchy scars
- If you are somebody with a Keloid scar
- People with resistant scars undergoing surgery, used to minimise recurrence
- Often used in conjunction with carbon dioxide laser
What are the risks or complications from Steroid Injections?
- Pain
- Infection
- Rarely skin breakdown
“Steroid Injections remain an extremely effective and safe tool for symptomatic scars. “
Alex Atkins-Murray
Silicone Products
What are Silicone products?
Silicone products can be useful to help keep moisture in scar tissue, and support scars in becoming flatter and softer more quickly. It is available in gels and sheets, and is often combined with a pressure garment.
Commonly used for early scar healing in the first 3-9 months which is the time when the scar is the most vascular or itchy
Recovery Time
Not applicable
Number of Sessions needed
Recommended throughout acute healing of scar.
Type of anaesthetic
Not applicable.
Where will it happen
Thames Valley Scar Clinic.
What are the benefits of Silicone products?
- Safe
- Non-invasive
- Comparatively low in cost
- Comfortable for patients
- Can be used in conjunction with other treatments e.g pressure
Am I a good candidate for Silicone products?
- Anybody with an acute scar
What are the risks or complications from Silicone products?
- Skin irritation
“Silicone products are an effective way of locking in moisture and starving the scar of oxygen. Patients find these comfortable and helpful in their recovery .”
Alex Atkins-Murray
Pressure Garments
What are Pressure garments?
Pressure garments are sometimes advised when scarring is in its early phase of healing (6 weeks to 9 months) and showing signs of becoming inflamed. They may also be recommended after a round of treatment in order to speed up the healing process. The pressure garments help to protect and flatten the scar, and also help to reduce symptoms of itch and pain.
They are particularly used for a scar in a high-risk functional area e.g. hand/arm/foot/leg that is in its early phase.
Find out more about Carol Li, who makes all our bespoke garments by hand…
Recovery Time
Not applicable
Number of Sessions needed
Usually required for a minimum of 3 months, continuous use.s.
Type of anaesthetic
Not applicable.
Where will it happen
A bespoke product, with measuring at Thames Valley Scar Clinic and made by one of our associates
What are the benefits of Pressure garments?
- Safe and effective
- Non-invasive
- Significantly reduces itch, pain and swelling
- Can help with early appearance related concerns
- Comparatively low cost
Am I a good candidate for Pressure garments?
- If you have a scar in a high-risk functional areas
- People with itchy or uncomfortable scars
- If you suffer with broad areas of scarring, especially around limbs
- People with very red and vascular scars
- If you have a scar in an area where reducing swelling would be beneficial, eg in lower limbs
What are the risks or complications from Pressure garments?
- Skin irritation
“Pressure garments act as second skin whilst the body is in the healing phase providing comfort, protection and a necessary squeeze. “
Alex Atkins-Murray
Psychological therapy
What is Psychological therapy?
The psychological impact of scarring or skin changes can be significant, and can lead to a negative impact on day-to-day life. The psychological recovery from injury is just as important as the physical one, and there are some very effective psychological strategies that can support, if needed.
It is for people who have developed trauma symptoms from injury or who have developed significant appearance-related concerns that are stopping them from living their life as they would hope. These appearance-related concerns may be due to any type of skin change, not just scarring.
Recovery Time
Not applicable
Number of Sessions needed
Usually a block of therapy over several months
Type of anaesthetic
Not applicable.
Where will it happen
Often now these are virtual but in person is available with one of our associates.
What are the benefits of Psychological therapy?
- Non-invasive
- Strategies are well researched
- Can work well alongside physical treatments
- Can be delivered virtually or face to face
- Can be effective at any time point, as well as useful for friends and family if needed
Am I a good candidate for Psychological therapy?
- If you have a traumatic reaction that is restricting your daily life
- If you are someone with appearance-related concerns that are restricting your daily life
- Any patient’s relative or loved one who is affected by the injury
- Any patient with a history of previous trauma who may have had this triggered by recent injury or surgery
What are the risks or complications from Psychological therapy?
- Not effective for everyone
- May be triggering for some people
“The psychological recovery is just as important as the physical one.”
Alex Atkins-Murray