A scar is an area of fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after an injury. Scars result from the natural wound repair of the skin, as well as in other organs and tissues of the body. Therefore, scarring is part of the healing process.
Even though the scar is composed of the same collagen as the tissue it has replaced, the composition is different. Scar tissues lack elasticity.
What Are The Types of Scars?
Keloid
Keloid scars are a more serious form of excessive scarring. These result from aggressive healing and usually extend beyond the original wound. To differentiate, Keloid scars grow while Hypertrophic scars are local to the injury. Treatments include:
1. Surgery
2. Steroid injections
3. Application of silicone sheets to flatten the scar.
Smaller keloids can be treated using cryotherapy, freezing using liquid nitrogen. Pressure treatment or gel pads may prevent its formation.
Hypertrophic scars
Raised red scars similar to keloids but are only within the boundary of the injury. They usually occur within 4 to 8 weeks following wound infection or wound closure. Treatments include:
1. Injections of steroids to reduce inflammation
2. Silicone sheets to flatten the scar.
Atrophic
An atrophic scar has a pitted appearance. These are caused when the fat or muscle under the affected area is damaged or lost. This scarring is associated with acne, chickenpox, surgery, certain insect and spider bites, or accidents.
Contracture scars
Contracture scars result from burn injuries. These scars tighten skin, which can hinder your movement of the injured part. Some contracture scars go deep, affecting muscles and nerves.
Stretch marks
Technically termed as striae. Caused by rapid stretching of the skin; during pregnancy, significant weight gain, or adolescent growth spurts, or when skin is put under tension during the healing process near joints. The good thing about these scars is that they usually improve over time.
Treatment of Scars
Chemical peels
Chemicals destroy the epidermis in a controlled manner. This leads to exfoliation and the alleviation of superficial acne scars.
Laser treatment
Chemicals destroy the epidermis in a controlled manner, which leads to exfoliation and the alleviation of superficial acne scars.
Filler injections
Injections of collagen raise atrophic scars to normal skin level. Risks vary upon the filler used that can lead to further disfigurement and allergic reaction.
Radiotherapy
Low-dose, superficial radiotherapy is used to prevent recurrence of severe keloid and hypertrophic scarring. Only used in extreme cases due to the perceived risk of long-term side effects.
Dressings
Commonly used in preventing scar formation and improving existing scar appearance. Pressure dressings are commonly used in managing burn and hypertrophic scars, although supporting evidence is lacking.
Steroids
A long-term course of corticosteroid injections into the scar may help flatten and soften the appearance of keloid or hypertrophic scars.
Surgery
Technically known as scar revision, the process of cutting the scar tissue out. After the excision, the new wound is closed up to heal. Deeper cuts need a multilayered closure to prevent the formation of depressed or dented scars.
Vitamins
Research shows the use of vitamin E and onion extract are ineffective. Vitamin E causes contact dermatitis and may worsen scar appearance, and cause minor skin irritations. But Vitamin C causes dark pigments.
Cosmetic methods
Cosmetics can temporarily conceal scars. Commonly used for facial scars.
Pomegranate creams has recently gained popularity but has been used for thousands of years. This plant is used to prevent of stretch marks during pregnancy, dry and chapped skin; skin regeneration. Thermalabs made the benefits of this plant available to the general public. Their Shea Butter pomegranate is not just anti-inflammatory but has been proven to stimulate Keratinocyte skin cells which is responsible for skin regeneration.
