Biopsy scars--how long to heal?

[tweedlemom]

Had biopsies done on two suspicious growths on my back in early August. Luckily, they were non-cancerous, but the spots (the size of a dime) are still red and raised. I had never had any biopsies before these. How long does it take for these areas to heal usually?

 

[DawnCt1]

Had biopsies done on two suspicious growths on my back in early August. Luckily, they were non-cancerous, but the spots (the size of a dime) are still red and raised. I had never had any biopsies before these. How long does it take for these areas to heal usually?

You definitely want to keep them out of the sun for 6 months. Scar tissue will pigment in the sun and stay that way. Once they are healed, rub vitamin E into them. Popping a capsule of vitamin E and applying it will work well and its cheap.

 

[Hoodie]

Unfortunately, the answer is "it depends".

I had some done last year and they are flat, but still a bit discolored. They just look like a flat mole. They are almost back to normal tone.

I have another that was done last December. It's still raised and red. I've had two steroid treatments to try to reduce the inflammation. It's definitely better, but still pretty ugly. The dermatologist said a lot just depends on how your body scars, and it can be different ways in different places. This one and one of my gall bladder scars are raised and red. the rest are flat and becoming colorless.

She did say that depending on skin tone, it could be a couple of years before they are completely back to normal (I'm really pale).

 

[mjkacmom]

Sounds like it could be keloids. I had a lung biopsy, and I had to have steroid injections 3 or 4 times to get the scar flat.

 

[Christine]

The older you are, the longer it takes!

Any biopsy sites that have occurred after my 40s have taken a good year to become nearly invisible. Things use to resolve a lot faster in my 20s!

 

[AKL_Megs]

Mine were about a month until pink, about six month until the scar turned "white".

 

[candy0730]

I have another that was done last December. It's still raised and red. I've had two steroid treatments to try to reduce the inflammation. It's definitely better, but still pretty ugly. The dermatologist said a lot just depends on how your body scars, and it can be different ways in different places. This one and one of my gall bladder scars are raised and red. the rest are flat and becoming colorless.

This sounds exactly like what is happening to me. I had a biopsy which healed nicely but then had to go back and have a larger area removed since it was cancer. I had it done mid June and since have had 2 steroid injections to try to flatten it out. My doctor said the same thing - depends on how a person heals and mine turned into a keloid. The shots have helped a little but it is still puffy and red (and itches alot). I have an appointment in a few weeks and will problably have it lasered to try and take away the redness. I have a feeling it will be an ugly permanent scar but still better than the alternative.

 

[tweedlemom]

Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate it.