BODY SCAR REDUCTION
Body Scars Reduction CLINIC
Scars form as part of the healing process after your skin has been cut or damaged. The skin repairs itself by growing new tissue to pull together the wound and fill in any gaps caused by the injury. Scar tissue is made primarily of a protein called collagen.
Scars develop in all shapes and sizes. Some scars are large and painful, while some are barely visible. People with dark skin (especially people with African, Asian or Hispanic heritage), as well as red-haired individuals, are more likely to develop keloid scars. Keloids are raised scars that grow and extend beyond the injured area. Depending on their size, type and location, your scars may look unsightly and may even make it difficult to move.
Not all scars require treatment, and many fade away over time. If a scar is bothering you or causing pain, treatments can help.
How common are scars?
Nearly everyone develops some type of scar, whether from an accident, a surgical procedure, acne or an illness like chickenpox (varicella). Scars affect people of all ages and genders.
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES
What are the signs of a scar?
When a scar first develops on lighter skin, it’s usually pink or red. Over time, the pinkish color fades, and the scar becomes slightly darker or lighter than the color of the skin. In people with dark skin, scars often appear as dark spots. Sometimes scars itch, and they may be painful or tender.
A scar’s appearance depends on several factors, including:
- Injury or event that caused the scar, such as surgery, a burn, or severe acne.
- Size, severity and location of the wound.
- Treatment you received for the wound, such as stitches or bandages.
- Your age, genes, ethnicity and overall health.
What are the types of scars?
Scars can develop anywhere on the skin. There are several types of scars, including:
- Contracture: Often developing after a burn, a contracture scar causes the skin to tighten (contract). These scars can make it difficult to move, especially when the scarring gets into the muscles and nerves or occurs over a joint.
- Depressed (atrophic): These sunken scars often result from chickenpox or acne. They look like rounded pits or small indentations in the skin. Also called ice pick scars, they develop most often on the face. Acne scars may become more noticeable as you age because the skin loses collagen and elasticity over time.
- Flat: Although it may be slightly raised at first, this type of scar flattens out as it heals. Flat scars are often pink or red. Over time, they may become slightly lighter or darker than the surrounding skin.
- Keloids: These scars are raised above the skin’s surface and spread beyond the wounded area. The overgrown scar tissue can get large and may affect movement.
- Raised (hypertrophic): You can feel a hypertrophic scar when you run your finger over it. These raised scars may get smaller over time, but they never completely flatten out. Unlike keloids, they don’t grow or spread beyond the wounded area.
- Stretch marks: When skin expands or shrinks quickly, the connective tissues under the skin can be damaged. Stretch marks often develop during pregnancy, puberty or after gaining or losing a lot of weight. They usually appear on the breasts, stomach, thighs and upper arms.
Scar tissue can also build up inside the body. Internal scar tissue can result from surgery (like abdominal adhesions) and some health conditions, such as Asherman’s syndrome and Peyronie’s disease. An autoimmune disease such as scleroderma creates skin changes resembling scarring from the inflammation in the skin.
What causes scars?
Scars are part of the body’s healing process. As part of your immune system, your skin is the barrier to protect you from germs and other harmful substances. When skin is injured, the body creates new tissue made of collagen to help reseal itself.
Collagen plays many important roles throughout your body, including plumping up your skin and helping your cartilage protect your joints. When a scar develops, collagen fibers repair damaged skin and close any open areas. The new tissue protects you from infection.
What causes scars?
Scars are part of the body’s healing process. As part of your immune system, your skin is the barrier to protect you from germs and other harmful substances. When skin is injured, the body creates new tissue made of collagen to help reseal itself.
Collagen plays many important roles throughout your body, including plumping up your skin and helping your cartilage protect your joints. When a scar develops, collagen fibers repair damaged skin and close any open areas. The new tissue protects you from infection.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS
How are scars diagnosed?
You can easily diagnose most scars yourself by keeping an eye on an area of skin that has healed from an injury. Scars often look darker, lighter or pinker than the surrounding skin.
Your doctor will do a physical examination to evaluate a scar that’s causing problems. Your provider will look at the scar’s size, texture and color to determine its type. Treatments vary depending on the type of scar, its location, what caused it and how long you’ve had it.
MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT
Can scars be treated?
Several treatments can make scars smaller or less noticeable. Your doctor may recommend one treatment or a combination. Scar treatment depends on several factors, including:
- Type, size and location of the scar.
- Whether the scar is causing you pain or affecting your ability to move.
- Your age and the age of the scar.
TREATMENTS AVAILABLE FOR BODY SCAR REDUCTION AVAILABLE AT KAYNA
- FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER
- MESOTHERAPY
- MICRONEEDLING
- MICRODERMABRASION
- IPL