How Can I Best Get Rid Of My Wrist Scars?

Q: I have 6 lines of self harm on my right wrist. They are white clear lines, which I would like them removed due to constantly being cautious to cover up when around people. I have recently found out that I am pregnant and would like them removed even more now, before the birth of my child. I’m so confused as to what I should do and which is the safest option. I’m so desperate to have them removed. I have had them for two years now and would like them removed by September of this year. What dio you recommend?

A: What you are referring to are many numerous fine white scar lines that often criss-cross each other on the volar aspect of the wrist. As self-mutilation/suicide attempt scars go, this pattern is fairly common and I have seen it numerous times in scar revision consultations. The reality is that there is no magic eraser and any technique for their removal. They are as narrow as scars can get due to their creation by a sharp instrument and their white color is unchangeable due to the scar in them. No form of laser resurfacing can ‘wipe them off’ or erase them, that simply is not going to work.

Since the stigmata of these scars are its classic pattern, an alternative approach is to create one larger scar which is more amorphous. A more confluent non-descript scar will at least not look like a pattern of knife cuts. In effect, this is creating a bigger burn scar which will look like a burn injury not a knife injury. Deep laser resurfacing can be done to create this effect. While this is not as desirous as erasing the scars, it is a more achievable goal.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis Indiana