Prevent Scars

As July 4^th approaches, many people are stocking up on fireworks to celebrate Independence Day with a bang. In Washington DC, however, there is little support for firecrackers. Twenty-one health and safety advocacy organizations recently came together in an effort to urge consumers not to use fireworks or sparklers this July 4^th. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons was an influential voice at the meeting.

Every year thousands of people, often children and teens, are injured, maimed, and disfigured by fireworks. As the largest plastic surgery organization in the world, The American Board of Plastic Surgery has all too much experience with these disfiguring results. Scars are treatable with plastic surgery procedures but they are not curable. Unfortunately, the appearance of scars can only be reduced, not eliminated. Surgeons like Joseph F. Serota, M.D., FACS offer microdermabrasion and scar revision to lessen the appearance of scars. But, because they are incurable, I would recommend extreme caution when celebrating this Forth of July. No one wants permanently disfiguring scars!!