After any injury, surgery or any pimples, we fear the formation of any scar on our skin. Because scars can make us self-conscious and lose our confidence.
When you get any injury on your skin, the body repairs the skin with collagen protein which is the same protein which forms the replaced tissue. Normally, collagen fiber makes the skin in random weave basket formation, but in a scar, the collagen cross-links and forms a pronounced alignment in a single direction. Thus, it becomes more visible than our normal skin.
Factors Affecting Scars:
Several factors affect scars that are as follows;
- It may affect how large or deep the wound is actually?
- The location of the wound also affects scars.
- It also affects which type of injury is it?
- Impact of healing time on scar.
- Age also influences scars.
- Race has an impact on it.
- Inherited traits.
Types of Scars:
The most important and common types of scars are;
Keloid: These thick, red, raised scars result from an overly aggressive healing process and extend beyond the site of the injury. Over time, they can make movement more difficult. They are most common among people with darker skin tones.
Hypertrophic: These are raised and red scars and are similar to keloid scars.
Contracture: These appear on burning skin. Such scars tighten skin and restrict movement. They can go deep and affect nerves and muscles.
Acne: Acne is the scars that can differ in appearance. These can be deep pits or wavelike scars.
Treatments:
Many scars cannot be completely erased but can be improved and minimized in appearance by several treatments, which are as follows;
Most of the treatments for minimizing or reducing scars are at-home treatments out of which, important ones are,
Use of Antibiotic Ointment:
Moisturizing the wound and preventing it from bacteria helps in the promotion.
Topical Creams or Gels:
Products made from onion extract help in the healing and minimization of scars on the surface of the skin.
Silicon Sheets:
Silicon sheets are available at pharmacies. Placing them on newly healed wounds prevents the thickness of scars. A silicon sheet should be placed on the scar for about 12 hours a day over a few months.
Use of Aloe vera:
Aloe vera contains naturally healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera gel soothes the skin, reduces swelling and moisturizes wounds thus healing skin in a better. Try to apply fresh aloe vera directly on the skin.
Medical Treatments:
Some scars are more prominent and visible. For them, some effective treatments like the following are used,
Steroid injections:
For many types of scars, injections are directly placed into the scar tissue after a few weeks interval. It helps in the decrease of itching, redness and discomfort.
Laser:
Laser treatment is also used to smooth and flatten the skin. It works best in hypertrophic scars.
Dermal fillers:
Fillers or the body’s own fat are used to inject it under the skin. It helps the appearance of depressed pit-like scars caused by acne.
Chemical peels:
It works best for superficial scars. Chemical is applied on skin which removes the top layer and hence new skin emerges.
Surgery:
Surgery is performed to remove the whole scar and make the fresh skin. as a result, a less noticeable scar is formed.
Scar Management:
It is important to take care of your scars. You should,
- Follow the doctor’s instructions.
- Avoid touching it as touching may result in infection.
- Avoid physical activity that worsens the wound.
- Avoid the sun’s UV radiation.
- Do not smoke as it slows down the healing process or even worsens it.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Intake of proper nutrition like protein, zinc vitamins A and C, anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories.
With all these precautions, you can make your scars less prominent.