Scars Explained – Definition, Types, Treatments

Skin is the largest organ in our body. it’s a seamless organ that covers our whole body to protect from microbes and infections. Skin is just like a plastic bag covering an expensive dress. Just a small tear in the plastic bag can cause huge damage to the dress. Just like that, a small tear in the skin tissue can make a lot of difference. That damage done is always going to leave a scar behind.

In other words, scarring is a natural part of the healing process. The fiber composition of the collagen protein in the scar is a little bit different than the collagen protein present in the skin, which makes the scar stand out from the rest of the normal skin. Here, we would explain to you types of scars and what helps with scars.

Types Of Scars

There are several scars, depending on the source of the injury.

Keloid Scars

Keloid scars are a severe form of excessive scars because they can grow indefinitely into timorous neoplasm. Keloids scars are most commonly seen on dark-skinned people, though it can occur to anyone. They can be formed because of accidents, acne, surgery and sometimes body piercing. Keloid scars are only masses of collagen and therefore are harmless and non-cancerous. However, they can be sometimes and itchy or painful in some areas.

Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic scars occur when the body produces excessive collagen, which makes the scar to be raised above the surrounding skin layer. It takes shape of a red raised lumps that occur within 4-8 weeks following the wound infection.

Contracture Scars

These scars occur when the skin has been burned. These scars tighten the skin which makes it difficult to move. These scars may also go deeper affecting the nerves and muscles.

Acne Scars

Severe acne leaves behind acne scars. These scars range from forming deep pits to wavelike angular appearances.

Stretch Marks

Scars that occur in certain parts of the body due to overweight and obesity. These are formed when the skin is stretched rapidly, for instance, pregnancy.

Treatment Of Scars

There are several treatments for scar removal.

Filler Injections

Injections of collagen can be used to level scar to the surrounding skin.

Chemical Peel

Chemicals used to destroy the epidermal skin mannerly, leading to alleviations of certain skin conditions.

Laser Treatment

Laser therapy with a nonablative laser such as pulsed dye laser is used for hypertrophic scars and keloids. Ablative laser such as carbon dioxide laser offers the best result for acne scars.

Radiotherapy

Keloids and hypertrophic scars reoccurrence can be managed by giving them radiotherapy. It is mostly low-dose and superficial.

Age, genes, sex, and ethnicity matters a lot in wound and scar healing.

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