Scar Reductase
Raised scars on the face can be uncomfortable, itchy, and a constant reminder of an injury or surgery. When a scar near the eye tightens, it can even pull the eyelid out of its natural position. Scar Reductase is an intradermal injection formulated by Dr. Kami Parsa for the non-surgical treatment of hypertrophic scars, keloids, and tight, contracted scars. It is offered as part of a personalized scar treatment plan for patients in Beverly Hills and throughout Los Angeles, alongside the practice’s other non-surgical treatments.
Dr. Parsa’s interest in developing new approaches to treatment reaches back to medical school at USC, where he received the USC-Baxter Research Fellowship Grant and a Student Research Fellowship Grant and took part in surgical research in the USC Department of Surgery. He went on to complete an ophthalmology residency at USC’s Doheny Eye Institute and a two-year oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Scar Reductase grew out of more than 20 years of clinical practice, much of it devoted to revisional eyelid surgery, where managing difficult scars is a daily part of care.
“Many raised scars can be improved without another operation. Surgery always leaves a new scar, so when an injection can soften and flatten the old one, I would rather start there.” — Dr. Kami Parsa
What Is Scar Reductase?
Scar Reductase is a specially formulated injection placed directly into the scar. It was developed by Dr. Parsa to soften, flatten, and relax thickened scar tissue. Scar Reductase is not an FDA-approved drug. It is a custom formulation, and Dr. Parsa will explain its components, how it compares with standard scar injections such as corticosteroids, and what results are realistic for your scar during your consultation.
Scars That May Respond to Scar Reductase
Dr. Parsa evaluates the location, thickness, texture, and color of every scar before recommending treatment. Scar Reductase may help with:
- Hypertrophic scars: Thick, raised scars that stay within the borders of the original wound. They may be red, lighter, or darker than the surrounding skin and can widen over time.
- Keloid scars: Raised scars that grow beyond the borders of the original wound. They can be painful or itchy and tend to recur after treatment. Keloids most often form on the earlobes, chest, shoulders, and upper back, and are less common on the central face.
- Contracted scars: Tight scars that pull on surrounding tissue. Around the eye, a contracted scar can pull the lower eyelid downward or outward, which may also require ectropion repair or eyelid retraction surgery.
Scar Reductase is designed for raised or tight scars. Depressed or indented scars usually respond better to other options, such as laser resurfacing, fat grafting, or surgical revision, which are described on the eyelid scar treatments page.
What to Expect From Treatment
Scar Reductase is injected in the office in a short visit. Many scars need a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart, with the plan adjusted according to how the scar responds. Some scars improve significantly, while others improve only partially, and keloids in particular can return. Scar Reductase may be combined with laser treatment, silicone gel, or other therapies for the best result.
Possible side effects include temporary redness, swelling, bruising, and discomfort at the injection site, as well as changes in skin color or thinning of the skin. Injections near the eye carry additional risks. Call the office immediately and seek emergency care if you notice vision changes, severe pain, or skin that turns pale or dusky during or after an injection.
Why Choose Dr. Parsa for Scar Treatment
Scars around the eyes and face require an understanding of both the skin and the structures beneath it. Patients choose Dr. Parsa for his reconstructive training and his experience treating difficult scars.
- Revision as a Clinical Focus: Revisional eyelid surgery is central to his practice, and he regularly treats scars and eyelid problems left by earlier procedures. Learn more about revisional eyelid surgery.
- Reconstructive Expertise: He lectures on total eyelid reconstruction and on reconstruction after Mohs surgery for skin cancer.
- Surgical Options When Needed: For scars that do not respond to injections, he offers surgical scar revision and eyelid reconstruction.
- Academic Appointment: He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
- Humanitarian Reconstructive Care: He founded the Surgical Friends Foundation, which provides reconstructive surgery to patients without access to quality medical care.
Schedule a Scar Consultation in Beverly Hills
If a raised or tight facial scar is affecting your comfort or confidence, a consultation can determine whether Scar Reductase, another non-surgical treatment, or surgical revision is right for you. Dr. Kami Parsa sees patients at 465 N Roxbury Dr, Suite 1011, in Beverly Hills. Schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
Medically reviewed by Kambiz K. Parsa, M.D. on
