Scars are your body’s technique of mending after a trauma to numerous layers of your skin. Finding successful scar therapy, whether as a result of severe acne, an injury, or surgery, can be difficult.
Although there is no way to totally remove a scar, there are ways to reduce its appearance. The optimal scar therapy, on the other hand, is determined on the type of scar you have.
Scars of Various Types
Scars occur in a variety of sizes and shapes. The type of scar you have can influence the sort of treatment you get. The following are the most prevalent scar types:
Keloid scars: A keloid scar is a scar that develops as a result of an injury. Keloid scars are firm, pink, or dark red scars that occur as a result of excess collagen under your skin. Keloid scars also extend beyond the original injury site.
Hypertrophic scars: A hypertrophic scar is one that resembles a keloid scar but does not extend beyond the affected area. Hypertrophic scars are raised and typically red scars that are mistaken for keloid scars but are easier to heal.
Contracture scars: A contracture scar is caused by a severe burn that leaves a scar. Contracture scars are typically deep and can constrict the skin, limiting movement.
Acne scars: If you’ve had severe acne, you may have acne scarring on your skin. As a result of a severe acne breakout, they are persistent textural alterations and indentations on the skin.
Scar Treatment Options That Work
A scar becomes a permanent part of your skin after it has formed. Thankfully, scars can be disguised in a variety of ways. Dermatologists frequently propose the following scar treatments:
Surgical operation – The most invasive method of treatment is surgical scar removal. Your doctor might refer you to a surgeon who can assess your scar and perform a surgery to make it less noticeable. A surgeon, for example, can shrink a large scar or use skin from another part of your body to cover the scarred area.
Laser Scar removal – Laser scar reduction, in particular for surgical scars, is an effective, noninvasive scar therapy alternative. Dermatologists employ bright light to shrink scars and change their color, shape, and size. Different types of laser removal are more successful for treating different types of scars.
Peels using chemicals – A chemical solution will be applied to the scarred area of your skin by a dermatologist. A layer of skin pulls away as the peel is removed, revealing a smoother layer of skin behind. Chemical peels are best for scars on the surface of the skin and require many treatments.
Dermabrasion – A dermatologist can smooth away the top layer of your skin with a machine that looks like a little sander. This therapy, which is similar to a chemical peel, is a suitable alternative for smoothing a raised scar.
Injections – Steroid injections can reduce the size of scars that rise above the surface of your skin, allowing them to blend in with the rest of your skin. Dermal fillers or collagen injections, for example, can be used to fill in the area around a deep scar.
Ointments – For minimal scarring, over-the-counter scar removal lotions and ointments are an excellent option. Dermatologists can prescribe scar therapy gels that are more effective.
Scars and Their Implications
Scars can be emotionally distressing, despite the fact that they are a natural part of the healing process. Scars can have a detrimental impact on one’s self-esteem and cause mental problems, especially if they are disfiguring or in a prominent area.
Scars can also have the following adverse effects:
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Itching
- Anxiety and/or depression