Scars.
Overview
A scar can be a fine line or a pitted hole on the skin, or an abnormal overgrowth of tissue.Scars form as part of skin’s natural healing process whenever multiple layers of skin are injured. The injury may be the result of an There are several types: Fine-line scars are common following a wound or after surgery. A minor wound like a cut will usually heal to leave a raised line, which will gradually fade and flatten over time. A keloid scar is a firm, smooth, hard growth due to spontaneous scar formation which extends well beyond the original wound. If there is a lot of tension on a healing wound, the healing area is rather thicker than usual. This is known as a hypertrophic scar which is limited to the damaged skin.Pitted or sunken scars. Some scars caused by skin conditions, such as acne and chickenpox, can have a sunken or pitted appearance.
Cause
- Minor wound like a cut
- Wound after surgery
- Too much collagen production at the site of a wound.
- Accident, surgery, burns
- Severe acne
- Chickenpox
Symptoms
- Can be pink, red, the same color or darker than surrounding skin
- Initially, it may appear red, raised, and hard,
- Over time it fades, flattens, and softens.
- Burning sensation near the scar.
- Local area of pain when touched or stretched
- Tenderness and sensitivity in the region around the scar. Inflammation or swelling near the injury.
- Often itchy or painful, and can restrict movement if they’re tight and near a joint.
- Cosmetic disfigurement
Treatments
Complete scar removal is not possible, but most scars will gradually fade over time. A number of treatments are available that may improve a scar appearance and help make it less visible.
Treatment options
Topical
- Emollients (creams and oils)
- Silicone scar reduction patches
- Silicone gel
- Pressure dressings
Injectables
- Intralesional corticosteroid
injection, repeated every few weeks - Intralesional 5-fluorouracil
- Bleomycin injections
Procedures
- Cryotherapy
- Pulsed dye laser
- Skin needling
- Subcision
- Surgical excision
Home care / DIY care
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Sun protection: Direct sun exposure over long periods of time can cause hyperpigmentation in the scar tissue, causing it to appear darker in color.
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Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered.
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Avoid scratching or picking scabs.
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Avoid reinjury : Re-injury will further aggravate the skin and cause even greater scar tissue than the first time.
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Massage the wound.
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Have patience: Healing takes time — possibly a long time.
FAQs
Why do scars itch?
Histamine is one of the major causes of scar itchiness. Upon its release, histamine activates nerve fibers in the skin that signal the brain that there is an itch. Another reason why your scar feels tight and itchy is due to the third phase of the wound healing process: proliferation.
What can make scars worse?
An environmental factor that clearly has an effect on the appearance of skin scarring is sunlight exposure. Scars can be more sensitive to ultraviolet light for more than a year. An inability to respond to ‘photodamage’ may lead to worsening inflammation and altered pigmentation.
Can scars be removed permanently?
There’s no known way to make scars totally disappear, but many will become lighter over time on their own. A number of treatments are available that may improve a scar’s appearance and help make it less visible.
How many sessions does it take to remove a scar?
On average, doctors recommend 6-8 sessions of laser scar removal treatment.
Why should a dermatologist diagnose what type of scar you have?
Scars are complex. To treat you safely and effectively, it’s important for the person treating you to know about your health and the type of scar you have.Different types of scars require different treatment.A board-certified dermatologist has the training and experience required to treat your scars.
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We strive to treat our patients with high quality affordable & excellent Skin and laser treatments. You will get that natural touch of treatment that you will hardly get anywhere with us.