Scars are not skin-deep. Americans spend $12 billion every year on scar treatment.
Many people with scars experience social stigma and duress after developing scar tissue. Yet few people know what scars are.
What is scar tissue, and why does the body develop it? What kinds of scars can a person develop? What treatment options are available for scars?
Answer these questions and you can remove ugly scars from your skin in no time. Here is your quick guide.
The Essentials of Scar Tissue
Fibrosis is one of the ways the body repairs itself after a wound. Connective tissue replaces normal tissue, filling a hole or gap in the skin. Fibrous cells can be just as strong as normal ones, but they can appear unseemly.
A scar is an area of fibrous cells. Nearly every wound results in some form of scarring, and normal tissue can appear on the skin after a period of time.
Yet some scars do remain permanent. This is often the case with surgery incisions, as they are long and deep. Surgery scarring can be painful or cause blood clots due to the disruption to blood vessels under the skin.
Types of Scars
There is no one type of scar tissue that everyone has. A hypertrophic scar occurs when deposits of collagen build up in the skin. The scar becomes raised, as though the skin is swollen.
Deposits of collagen also cause keloids. But the skin becomes dark and bumpy. It is one of the most common kinds of surgery scarring.
Atrophic scars have the opposite appearance. They look like recesses in the skin. Wounds that cause fat and muscle under the skin to be lost may result in atrophic scarring.
Treatment
There is no way to prevent scar tissue besides avoiding injuries. But there are ways to treat a part of the body with significant scarring.
Skin grafts can cover scarred skin and allow blood vessels to connect with each other. Laser surgery can use heat to break down fibrous cells and promote healing amongst healthy cells.
Most over-the-counter creams help with scars by moisturizing the skin. They can also change the pigmentation of the skin, making a scar less noticeable.
Serrapeptase is a dietary supplement that can reduce inflammation. It is a common prescription for people who receive tubal reversal surgery and it may help with scarring. You should read more here and examine a few articles before taking it.
The Facts About Scars
Scar tissue is a byproduct of the healing process. The body develops connective tissue to fill in a gap in the skin, creating an unusual scar.
Collagen inside the skin can build up, creating hypertrophic scars and keloids. If fat or bone becomes damaged underneath the skin, atrophic scars can surface.
There is no one treatment plan for scar tissue. Minor cosmetic surgery can help, though surgery is not always necessary. Over-the-counter creams can moisturize and change the colors of scars.
Scars are one skin problem you must deal with. Read more skincare guides by following our coverage.
