Scars and Keloids

Scars are the natural part of the healing process when we have been injured or undergone a surgical procedure. Skin scars occur when the deep, thick layer of skin (called the dermis) is damaged. As you would expect, the worse the damage is, the worse the scar will be. Severe forms of acne can cause serious acne scars which is why acne should be treated as soon as possible to prevent it becoming severe and causing more scarring. Fortunately, it is possible to undergo scar treatment and even scar removal.

There are several main types of scars and these include:

• Acne scars – these can range from deep pits to scars that are angular or wavelike in appearance.
• Keloids – these are thick, puckered, itchy clusters of scar tissue that grow beyond the edges of the wound. They are often red or darker in color than the surrounding skin. Keloids occur when the body continues to produce the tough fibrous protein known as collagen after a wound has healed. Keloids can appear anywhere on the body but they are most common on the earlobes, the shoulders and breastbone. They are more likely in younger, dark skinned people. Keloids will often recur and when they do, they can be larger than the first time around.
• Contractures – these are scars from burns or other injuries resulting in the loss of a large area of skin. The scar then pulls the edges of the skin together, a process called contraction. This contraction may affect the adjoining muscles and tendons thereby restricting normal movement.
• Hypertrophic scars – these are often confused with keloids as they also tend to be thick, red and raised but hypertrophic scars remain within the boundaries of the original wound. After a year or two has passed, they often improve on their own.

While no scar can ever be completely removed, there are a number of options for scar treatment and scar removal:

• Chemical Peels – as the name suggests, this involves the use of a chemical to remove the top layer of the skin to smooth depressed scars and give the skin a more even color. It is used for shallow superficial scars.
• Surgery – any surgical scar removal or revision will always leave a new scar and this will take up to two years to mature. Surgery can never remove a scar but can be used to alter the scar’s alignment or shape to make it less noticeable. While surgery can sometimes even make the scar bigger, it will improve its overall appearance. Surgery is best suited for wide or long scars as well as those in prominent places or scars that have healed in a particular pattern or shape.
• Laser Surgery and Resurfacing – this comparatively new method uses high energy light to remove or remodel unwanted, damaged skin.
• Steroid injections – they are injected into the scar helping to flatten and soften its appearance.
• Pressure Garments – these are used in hospitals for patients with burn scars that cover a large area. They are successful when worn 24 hours a day for 6 to 12 months and cause scars to flatten and become softer.
• Radiotherapy – this risky process is only used in extreme cases and in low doses.
• Dermabrasion – this procedure removes the surface of the skin with specialist equipment under a general anesthetic. It is a successful with raised scars.
• Collagen injections – this method is used to raise sunken scars to the level of the surrounding skin but sadly the effects are only temporary.
• Silicone-containing gels, creams and bandages – these have to be used regularly and although results are mixed, have been helpful in reducing scar thickness and pain.
• Interferon – this is another product which is injected into the scar and can help improve the hardness and cosmetic appearance of a scar.
• Cosmetics – make-up can be used to improve the appearance while a scar is healing or as a long term measure to cover up permanent scars.
• Scar DX – Derma Remedies has a powerful but gentle formulation to treat scars using top quality ingredients. This treatment can be carried out by you at home and the product is available on line. This product can even be used on a wound before it has completely healed to prevent a scar forming.

Scar tissue is not identical to the tissue which it replaces and is usually of inferior functional quality. You need to be more careful of scar tissue as it is more prone to sunburn than adjacent skin. In addition, sweat glands and hair follicles do not grow back in scar tissue and it will have a different texture and quality.