Scars, Trauma and Surgical Scarring

If you have never had a scar in your life, you would be considered to be pretty lucky.  There are very few that will make it through life without having a scar of some sort. Often times, we view these scars as disturbing or disgusting.  Or we plain don’t care much for where they are placed on our bodies.  We don’t like looking at them because they remind us of trauma we have been through, or surgeries we have had.  However, the good news is that they can be minimised so we don’t have the constant reminder of things we have been through.

The first step one must take to minimise a scar is to meet with a dermatologist. This consultation will be where your scar is thoroughly examined, and the dermatologist will discuss with you what treatments are available for your scars.  They may also run through the various types of scars with you.  Did you know that there are many different kinds of scars?  Those include:

• Contracture scars-  These scars are in the joint or skin creases.  They are attributed to mainly burns. It becomes difficult to move the joint as when the wound heals, the scar tissue has no elasticity, so the skin contracts.
• Keloid Scars-  These scars have an overproduction of collagen at the site of the wound.  They will have a rubbery appearance, and will be raised and reddened. They will also grow over a course of time. Many times those with darker skin will have them.
• Stretch marks-  Many do not view stretch marks as scarring, but in reality, they are a form of scarring. They are typically seen on the thighs, buttocks, stomach, and breasts.  They are formed when there is a dramatic growth, such as pregnancy. They are very difficult to treat.
• Atrophic Scars- These scars are usually caused by acne. Due to the injury, there is  a pit in the skin that resulted from a loss of collagen.
• Hypertrophic Scars- Dark in color, these scars are raised and usually occur after a traumatic event. They will often reduce over time and will not exceed the boarders of the original wound.
• Normal Scars- These scars fade over time without the assistance of a dermatologist or any product.

During the consultation with your dermatologist, you can discuss what treatment option is right for you for your scars. Microdermabrasion can lessen the look of scars due to the fact that the upper layer of skin is being exfoliated. More than one treatment of microdermabrasion may be needed depending on how severe the scar is.

Collagen induction therapy or skin needling can also be used for scars. This uses gentle needles that will pierce the skin so micro channels are created. Your body will produce collagen to help fill in these wounds that were created, stimulating a natural healing process.

Laser resurfacing can also be used effectively to treat trauma and surgical scarring.  The body’s natural healing process will be stimulated by breaking up fibrous tissue to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. More than one treatment may be needed.

Scars often tell stories that we don’t want to be reminded about daily. There are several effective treatments that a dermatologist can perform to help break up scar tissue so healing of the skin can begin.  Multiple treatments may need to be used, but within a set amount of sessions, the scars will fade and begin to heal themselves into the gorgeous skin you once had.