Compounding Medications for Wound and Scar Therapy

Common Wounds and Types of Scars

A scar forms after the body sustains an injury as is a natural part of the healing process. The nature of the scar – its size and its appearance – will depend on where on the body it is located and how it occurred. Other patient factors, such as genetics, ethnicity, and age, can affect scar formation and healing time.

One commonality between scars is that they affect people of all ages, and they never completely disappear. At the same time, they can be treated with medication to change their size and minimize the intrusiveness of their appearance.

Compounded medication can help treat several different types of scars. Some of the most common types of scars that require treatment include:

Keloids

A keloid scar is large, often reddish in appearance, and results from an overproduction of collagen. They are often raised and grow outside of the area where the wound initially occurred. Depending on their size and location, they can be painful and affect a patient’s movement.

Burn (Contracture) Scars

Many patients report that the healing process is one of the most difficult aspects of suffering a burn. The scars that form after a burn can cause tightness and discomfort; they can even affect a patient’s ability to move. Depending on the degree of the burn, the scars can also impede the underlying muscle and nerve structures.

Acne Scars

Hormone imbalances and the conventional American diet (highly processed foods, high consumption of meats and dairy) can cause individuals to incur acne well into their 30s and beyond. As our skin loses elasticity, it also loses its ability to heal efficiently, making scars and hyperpigmentation more common. Acne scars rarely hurt, but often cause embarrassment.

Surgical Scars

A major, or even minor, surgery can leave scars with the site of incision apparent. Sometimes, the incision may leave imprints from staples, if used. Surgical scars generally concave slightly and can lead to embarrassment or self-consciousness.

No matter the type, it’s a fact of life that millions of Americans suffer the physical and emotional effects of having scars. Appropriate treatment can improve quality of life, mobility, and everyday functioning.

Why Compounding Wound and Scar Treatment Is Better Than Over the Counter Remedies

The healing process for scars varies from person to person, as well as the nature of the injury itself. A surgical scar, for example, generally heals faster because your skin has been bonded to aid in healing. Deeper and more expansive injuries, such as scars from injuries, take longer to heal.

Many people turn to over the counter remedies to heal scars. While they may seem promising, they actually do little to diminish the appearance of a scar once the healing process is complete. Over the counter creams, are, by their very nature, produced to appeal to the masses. As such, they will not be formulated to address your specific needs, or even the type of scar you have.

During the healing process, it is important to follow a physician’s orders and keep the wound clean. However, once the healing process is complete and you want to diminish the appearance of a healed scar, compounding medications can help.

Custom Medication for Scars and Wounds

Compounding Pharmacy of America offers wound care and scar healing solutions for myriad problems, including acne, burns, and surgical scars. If you want to know if compounding is right for you, take this order form with you to your next doctor’s appointment and ask your health care provider if compounding medications are right for you.

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