Contraceptive implants use a trocar (needle-like device) with a diameter of only... 2 มิลลิเมตร It causes less tissue damage than traditional surgery. 80% It reduces the chances of forming excess scar tissue more effectively.
Beauty and women go hand in hand. Many who are considering getting a contraceptive implant, or have already had one, often worry about... "Will a scar on my forearm leave a raised scar or keloid, which is unsightly?" Today, I'll explain it to you in a simple way.
Understanding the size of "tiny" wounds can put your mind at ease to some extent.
First, patients need to know that modern contraceptive implants (such as Implanon NXT) use an instrument similar to a larger hypodermic needle, not a long surgical incision.
- The wound will be very small, just 2-3 millimeters. Just like an ant bite or a large pimple.
- mostly No stitches required. The doctor will simply use steri-strips to pull the edges of the wound together, and then wrap a bandage over it.
- Because the wound is small, there is little skin tension. The chance of developing keloids is therefore much lower than with conventional surgery.
Who are the "high-risk" individuals who need special monitoring?
Even if the scar is small, the term "keloid" depends on... Genetics and individual skin condition. That's the main point. I'd like patients to check themselves as follows:
- People with a history of easily developing keloids: Try observing old scars on your body, such as: Vaccination scars, ear piercing scars, or cesarean section scars. If you've had a keloid before, there's also a chance you could get one on a birth control implant scar.
- Location of anesthesia: Typically, doctors implant the implant on the inner forearm, where the skin is relatively thin and subject to some friction. Fortunately, the skin tension in this area is less than on the shoulder or chest, so the chances of complications are lower, but it's still best to avoid it.
Tips for caring for scars to achieve smooth and flawless results.
The first 7 days are the most crucial. If you don't want the wound to become inflamed and cause scar tissue to thicken (the cause of keloids), you must follow these steps:
- Keep the wound dry. During the first 3-7 days (as advised by each doctor).
- Do not scratch or pick at it. The more you scratch, the more you irritate the inflammation, increasing the risk of keloids.
- Press down on the wound first. Applying an elastic bandage during the first 24-48 hours helps reduce swelling and stop bleeding, promoting faster wound healing.
If it starts to become raised or forms a keloid, how do you fix it?
If the patient notices that the wound has become red, raised, hard, or unusually itchy after it has healed, they should seek medical attention. Don't panic, it's treatable.
- Please return to consult with your doctor immediately. Steroid Injection (Injecting medication to reduce keloids) When applied to the wound, the medication helps inhibit the formation of scar tissue, causing the scar to shrink and soften.
- Silicone sheets may also be used to apply pressure to the wound.
