What is a scar?
A scar is a byproduct of your body repairing damage to your skin. If you damage your skin deeply enough, your body produces collagen to help repair the wound. Because your body is trying to respond to your injury quickly, the collagen that it produces is thicker and less flexible than your healthy skin. That denser tissue is your scar.
What are the different types of scars?
There are numerous different types of scars, including:
Flat scars
Most scars are flat scars. They tend to be pink or reddish and slightly raised when they first appear. Occasionally, they can be itchy or painful, especially in the initial healing stages.
Atrophic scars
Atrophic scars are those that result in a depression of the skin. Examples include the ‘ice pick’ or ‘box car’ scars associated with acne.
Keloid scars
Keloid scars are the result of your body over-repairing itself, with collagen production extending beyond the area of your injury to produce a raised lesion. Keloids can limit movement if they form over a joint, might feel painful and itchy as they grow, and don’t go away without treatment.
What are the signs and symptoms of keloids?
Keloids might present as:
- Tender or itchy scars
- Flesh-colored, pink, or red raised tissue
- Lumpy or ridged scars
- Irritated skin
- Scars that rub on clothing
When exposed to the sun, keloids might tan darker than the surrounding skin. Treatments available at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center can get rid of keloids, smooth your skin, and reduce irritation.
Hypertrophic (raised) scars
Hypertrophic scars rise above the surface of your skin but don’t grow beyond the boundaries of your injury. They tend to flatten over time, but that can take months or years. They can appear anywhere on your skin, but more typically form on the shoulder, upper back, or chest.
What does scar treatment entail?
Different scars require different types of treatment, which is why it’s important to have your scar correctly diagnosed by medical professionals, like the team of providers at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center.
After properly diagnosing your scar type, your doctor suggests a treatment method, which might include:
Prescription creams, ointments, or gels
Certain medications, like steroids, can help reduce the appearance of scars.
Pressure therapy
If your wound is still healing, your doctor can apply consistent pressure to your wound to minimize the appearance of your scar and prevent it from turning into a keloid. This involves wearing a pressure dressing, like a stocking or elastic bandage, or special devices for locations prone to keloids like the earlobe.
Gel sheets
If your wound has already closed, your doctor can provide you with thin, self-adhesive gel sheets made from silicone. Wearing these on your scar every day for a while can prevent a raised scar from developing and reduce the size of an existing scar.
Surgical revision
If you have a deeper scar, your doctor might recommend surgery to revise it. Some surgical treatments that can improve the appearance of a scar include:
- Skin graft
- Excision
- Dermabrasion
- Laser surgery
Of note, a scar cannot be completely removed. Anytime the basement membrane is breached, whether intentionally during procedures or from traumatic accidents, a scar will result.
Injections
If you have a raised scar or a keloid, your doctor might be able to reduce its size and treat the commonly associated itch and tenderness of these lesions by injecting it with steroids.
Laser
Resurfacing laser procedures are the optimal treatment for scarring as they allow for controlled injury to stimulate your collagen and elastin to regenerate healthy skin.
Schedule your scar treatment with Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center today by calling the nearest office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.
References and Resources:
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-scars#1
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-overview
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-symptoms
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-causes
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-treatment
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/keloids-treatment
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000849.htm
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/keloids-overview
