Scars: causes, types and treatments

Scars arise for a variety of reasons, from the simplest, such as a bruise on the skin (what child has never fallen off the bike and gotten a mark, right?), a vaccine mark, the (terrible) craze of squeezing pimples, to the most serious. such as burns, accidents and surgeries.

The fact is that any injury that appears on the epidermis (the outermost part of the skin) or the dermis (the layer just below the epidermis) can result in a scar. And, although many people are uncomfortable with the appearance of the scar, it is worth remembering that they are an important part of healing, after all, they are formed by a more fibrous tissue (hence the different appearance) that takes the place of the damaged skin.

Different types of scars

Atrophic scars: They are more common and are independent of genetic factors, appear due to the loss of structures that give support and firmness to the skin, such as muscle and fat, and leave a kind of hole (relief) in the skin. It is usually a more frequent scar in cases of acne, surgery and accidents.

Hypertrophic scars: This type happens when our body produces collagen in abnormal amounts and in a disorganized way, which causes the scar to have a higher texture in relation to the skin around it. It is rarer to happen, it has hereditary components and many people confuse it with keloids.

Keloids: It is the scar that does not stop growing, it even goes beyond the initial limits of the lesion itself. This unregulated growth is due to the fact that the body does not stop producing new collagen and is often related to race (it is more common in Orientals) and genetic factors.

Normotrophic: In this case, the skin gains the appearance and consistency very similar to the skin before the injury. That’s why it happens after very simple injuries, which don’t hurt so much.

The treatments

They have evolved a lot: today there are several types, from simpler procedures to microsurgeries and it is possible to improve the damaged site a lot, to the point where the scar becomes almost imperceptible. It is only necessary to be aware that very extensive and deep scars will hardly disappear completely. The most satisfactory treatments are:

• Via laser: it heats the surface layer of the skin, the epidermis and part of the dermis, thus removing the most affected layers, which allows exposing new and more natural layers of skin.
• Microdermabrasion: Here, the dermatologist sands the skin, controlling the depth he thinks is necessary and removes the most affected skin layers.
• Peels: There are several types. The chemical, which by applying a chemical solution to the skin, “destroys” the epidermis in a controlled manner, leading to exfoliation and combating certain skin conditions including acne scars. There is also the crystal peeling, which sprays small particles of crystals on the skin, also gently removing the dermis, so that a new, smoother layer of skin appears. Your dermatologist is the only professional indicated to evaluate the best type for your case.
• Filling: the most common is with hyaluronic acid, which increase the volume of the site with the intention of leaving the scar at the same level as the surrounding skin. It is a temporary treatment and some time later it needs to be repeated.
• Surgery: it is only indicated for cases of wider and deeper scars. It greatly improves the appearance of scars, as dermatological surgeons use various surgical techniques to make the scar less evident.

The effectiveness of treatments to soften scars

The outcome of treatments depends on the level of your scar and how your skin responds to the procedure. It is necessary to make an appointment with the dermatologist of your trust. He will assess what type of scar you have, the condition of the scar, as well as how old it is, and thus determine the methods that may be most effective in softening your scar.

The truth is that living with scars is difficult, looking in the mirror can become a sacrifice. Nowadays, good looks are always taken into account. So run right after a good treatment. Not all scars disappear 100%, but they can be greatly softened, leaving you feeling freer and at ease with the mirror.