Scar
A scar is a mark that forms on the skin after an injury or damage, reflecting the body’s natural healing process. Scars occur when the dermis, the thick inner layer of skin, is damaged, prompting the body to produce collagen fibers to repair the wound. This can happen due to various events, including burns, surgeries, or skin conditions like acne. Scars can vary in appearance; some are flat and pale, while others can be raised or discolored. Hypertrophic scars are characterized by excessive collagen production, resulting in an itchy, red mark that remains at the site of the injury. Keloid scars are similar but extend beyond the original wound site, often appearing raised and can be painful. Contracture scars, often resulting from burns, may tighten the skin and restrict movement. While many scars are painless, they can lead to self-consciousness. Various treatments, including topical creams, laser therapy, and surgical options, are available to manage scar appearance and discomfort.
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Scar
A scar is a mark left behind following an injury or some other damage to the skin. Scarring is a natural part of the skin's healing process. Most people have a few scars on their bodies. Many events can lead to scarring, including burns and accidents. Skin conditions, such as acne, and certain diseases can produce scars. Surgery, such as an appendectomy, can also leave scars behind.
Overview
When the dermis (the body's thick layer of skin under the outer layer) becomes damaged, the body begins to heal the wound. This usually involves clotting the blood to stop any bleeding first. Following this, the body starts producing collagen fibers, which are thick, white proteins that work to repair the broken skin. Depending on the type of injury, a scab will often form over the wound while the collagen does its work. The scab will eventually fall off, and a scar is sometimes left behind where the scab once was.
Scars from most minor injuries leave a pale, flat mark on the skin that fades over time. However, there are several other types of scars. Hypertrophic scars are often red in color. They may also be itchy or painful. They form as a result of excess collagen production during the healing process. This causes the scar to thicken over time, but it does not extend beyond the site where the original wound occurred.
Keloid scars are also the result of an overproduction of collagen. The body produces much more collagen when a keloid scar forms than when a hypertrophic scar forms. This results in an overgrowth of skin tissue, giving the keloid scar a raised appearance. Keloid scars are often red or purple in color at first and fade over time. Like hypertrophic scars, keloids can be painful and itchy.
Contracture scars form due to burns. These scars pull the skin, tightening it. Contracture scars can be very painful, and the tightening of the skin can restrict a person's movement if the burn is not treated properly. Pitted or sunken scars are often the result of acne or illnesses that produce rashes, such as chicken pox. This type of scarring may have a wave-like appearance.
Some scars cause pain, but most do not. Even if they do not cause pain, scars can make people feel self-conscious about their appearance. There are various methods available to reduce the appearance of scars and to lessen any pain or discomfort associated with them.
People can reduce the appearance of minor scars through topical treatments, such as cocoa butter or vitamin E creams. Doctors will sometimes use steroid injections to help flatten keloid or hypertrophic scars. Dermabrasion and laser therapy can be used to help reduce the appearance of raised or pitted scars. Plastic surgeons may also use fillers to help treat sunken scars.
Some scarring may require surgery. Plastic surgery will not entirely remove a scar, but it can change the appearance of a scar to make it less noticeable. Some physicians will remove painful keloids, but surgery is not usually recommended to treat patients with keloid or hypertrophic scar. Patients who have hypertrophic or keloid scarring are likely to experience it again, so traditional surgical removal is not always the best option.
Bibliography
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