[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Paul B. at 16 Dec 2001 22:25:58: Re: Thank you for an honest answer
As an answer to: Thank you for an honest answer written by Jim at 16 Dec 2001 21:17:32:
> In your case, it was overzealous attempts at stretching which caused scar tissue to form,
Even then I tend to doubt that - I would feel that it was more likely the attempt to stretch in the face of the continued activity of whatever process (Candidiasis or BXO) was causing the scarring.
> Paul's idea of a device to hold the skin in the stretched position is one that should be pursued more often.
I'm not claiming the idea. It's a standard medical technique in burns management, breast reconstruction after mastectomy and flap surgery for male pattern baldness, quite possibly many others. The elegant part of it is finding readily available devices to use for the purpose, and the clever suggestion of a film canister (available for free and potentially disposable yet durable, plastic and washable, light, and smooth edges) I picked up from yourself.
> Without a chance to relax, the skin has no choice, under mild tension, but to expand.
That's certainly a convenient way to look at it.