What is Scar
A Scar is a manifestation of the skin’s healing process. After skin or tissue is wounded, the body releases collagen to mend the damage. Collagen, a protein, reattaches the damaged skin. As the wound heals, a temporary crust forms and covers it. The crust is a scab that protects the damaged area. Causes of scars include cuts, sores, surgery, and burns. Severe acne and chicken pox may also scar skin. The degree that skin scars depends on more than the size and depth of the wound. Age also affects the process. The healing process is stronger in younger skin. That results in scars that are thicker than those of older people. Other factors affecting the type of scar are ethnicity, heredity, and the location of the injury.
Types of Scars
Hypertophic scars and keloids
Hypertophic scars and keloids are caused by an over-active healing process. This produces an excessive amount of collagen at the wound site. Both types of scars are red, thick, and raised above the wound. Hypertophic scars do not extend beyond the wound site. The scar may itch and usually heals without professional treatment in about a year.
Keloids are large scars that could form after surgery, an injury, burn, or body piercing. This scarring often occurs on the ear lobe or chest. Sometimes keloids develop spontaneously. The keloid is raised, rigid, and grows beyond the wound. The keloid can continue to grow. Scars are generally harmless, but may itch or feel tender. In addition, a person may feel self-conscious about the scar’s appearance.
Contracture scars
Contracture scars are caused by the loss of a large section of skin due to burns or other injury. The scar contracts or tightens around the wound. This contraction could impact a person’s mobility. If the scar deepens, it could affect muscles and nerves.
Acne scars
Acne scars may appear after the severe stage of acne, a skin condition usually caused by hormonal changes. The inflammatory condition is seen in adolescence, but acne can occur later in life. Severe acne is triggered by clogged pores that cause bacteria to multiply. It occurs more frequently in adolescent boys than girls. If the acne is not treated, there could be scarring. The types of scars include pit-like pockmarks.
Scar Treatments in Springleaf
There are many options to treat scars depending on your particular case.
Raised scars can be flattened to some extent with daily application of a silicone-based scar treatment gel and/or a silicone gel sheet
Indented scars respond best to a series of laser treatments ,skin grafts.In a skin graft, our surgeon uses skin from another area of your body. This is often used with people who’ve had burns..In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary;