Many people consider scars to be signs of adventures or bravery. Others are embarrassed by large, unsightly scars. Either way, our skin forms these marks as part of the natural healing process. Based on the injury type and the skin's response, as well as age, heredity, gender, and ethnicity, our bodies can form several different types of scars.
Scars usually take 12-18 until they are fully developed. Thus, you may have to wait about year until you know how your scar will actually look. These marks form as the result of an injury to our body's largest organ, the skin. Skin responds to injuries by producing collagen, a structural protein that helps hold our skin firm and elastic. Injuries that can cause scars include stretching, burns, punctures, lacerations, and acne. Also, things like bacterial or fungal infections or even viruses can prompt the skin to scar.
Typically, a scar starts the healing process red, puckered, and often puffy. However, it usually flattens out and becomes paler as it ages. These marks are sensitive to sunlight, and exposure to UV rays can actually harm the healing process and discolor your scar.
The main types of scars include:
Keloid - these marks can be embarrassing because they are the result of an overly aggressive healing process. This causes a buildup of skin, and it can even extend beyond the boundary of the wound itself.
Contracture - the mark associated with burns, these can cause your skin to tighten to the point that you lose mobility. Also, these can go deeper than the skin to interfere with the muscles and nerves underneath.
Hypertrophic - like keloids, these can be red and raised. However, they remain only in the area of injury.
Atrophic - these are the opposite of hypertrophic scars in that they are more pit-like rather than raised like keloids. Acne pit scars are a type of atrophic scarring.
Acne - these scars vary depending on the type of acne you had. You may have pits caused by atrophic scarring, or something more wavelike or angular in appearance.
The treatment of an unsightly scar depends mostly on what type of mark you have. Topical medications that can be prescribed or bought over-the-counter are best for small, surgical incisions or acne. Sometimes, a doctor may choose to give you steroid injections. These are commonly used for keloid or hypertrophic scarring. Smaller keloids can be treated with cryotherapy, or freezing.
Sometimes, surgery is necessary to remove all of a bad scar. Skin grafts, excision, dermabrasion, or laser surgery are all options that you may consider when getting rid of excessive scarring. However, it is a good idea to wait about a year before you decide to have your mark surgically removed as the scar can change with time.
If you are marked by an unsightly or embarrassing scar, you should speak to a dermatologist about the best removal technique for you. For more information regarding these treatments, as well as other skincare topics, check out the board-certified dermatologist skin-vein.com Dr Zimmet of Zimmet Vein & Dermatology today.
Joseph Devine
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