A fall down the stairs, a car accident or surgery: many of life’s events leave their marks as small or large scars. Nearly everybody has one or even more scars to remind him or her of such situations. Scars may not only cause discomfort and pain or hinder mobility, but can also reduce self-confidence particularly when located on visible parts of the body.
How do scars form?
Scarring is a natural part of the healing process after a skin injury has been sustained. Only wounds that do not affect the dermis can heal without scars. As the organism is not able to replace the destroyed, highly specialised tissue in the same way, it repairs the wound with a fibrous connective collagen tissue to ‘bind’ the broken skin together. Even after the wound has healed, the body continues to direct collagen to the injury site, resulting in changes to the size and shape of the scar overtime. The so-called “maturation” phase can take years. Although most scars can’t be removed completely, there are steps that you can take to ensure a more even healing of your wound and reduce the visibility of existing scars. Learn more about wound healing here.
Different types of scars
Normal scars will usually heal as a thin and pale line. Depending on several factors, such as depth of the wound, location of the injury or skin type, some people may develop abnormal scars.
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Hypertrophic scar
Hypertrophic scars appear red and raised and can be itchy. They are characterized by an excess of collagen which is caused by a dysregulated healing process. Hypertrophic scars raise above the surrounding skin level but are limited to the original wound area. -
Keloid scar
Similarly to hypertrophic scars, keloids appear red and raised and also exhibit an excessive amount of collagen. However, unlike hypertrophic scars, keloids extend beyond the original wound area. Keloids impact quality of life as they can interfere with movement, cause pain and itching. They are more likely to develop among people with darker skin type and they do not resolve or fade with time. -
Atrophic scar
Atrophic scars are characterised by recesses or pits in the skin and are most often formed as a result of acne or certain illnesses such as chickenpox. Histologically they are characterized by a loss of collagen in the dermis.
What are the risk factors?
Some individuals are more susceptible to abnormal scarring than others. These include adolescents and young adults as well as those with darker skin pigmentation. In case of keloids, scarring can also be impacted by hereditary predispositions. Furthermore, the location on the body has an impact. For instance, scars that appear on joints have a higher risk of forming abnormally. Some complications such as haematomes, infections, foreign bodies or edema can also exacerbate scar formation.
How to reduce the risk of scarring
Scars are formed in the last phase of wound healing. In order to reduce the risk of unsightly scars and ensure a safe and fast healing, it is recommended to follow some basic wound care principles:
- Wound cleansing: As infections may increase the risk of abnormal scarring, always make sure that the wound is properly cleansed from particles, dirt and bacteria. Use the Hansaplast Wound Spray to cleanse the wound fast and easily.
- Wound protection: Make sure the wound is covered with an appropriate plaster or sterile wound dressing from Hansaplast. This will protect the wound from germs and bacteria which might enter the wound, delay wound healing and possibly cause wound infection.
- Moist wound healing: To reduce the risk of scarring and support a faster wound healing, experts recommend moist healing conditions. Apply the Hansaplast Wound Healing Ointment to create optimal healing conditions and support a fast wound healing with reduced risk of scarring.
Also note the following tips to additionally prevent scars:
- Protect wounds and newly formed scars from the sun rays.
- Do not expose wounds and newly formed scars to extreme temperatures.
- Avoid exercises or activities that cause tension to the scar tissue.
How to treat and reduce scars
As scars are often perceived as unattractive and can significantly impact quality of life, we often seek to reduce or hide their appearance. In the event of severe scarring, there are a number of medical procedures that can be performed by dermatologists, surgeons, and other medical experts. More invasive techniques can involve corticosteroid injections, laser therapy, or surgery, among others.
Also, the visibility of scars can often be reduced with non-invasive, topical products such as the Hansaplast Scar Reducer. This product is clinically proven and helps to flatten, lighten and soften scar tissue. Clinical studies have shown a positive trend in visible scar reduction when used on raised and coloured scars for 8 consecutive weeks for at least 12h a day.
For further information, please contact us via email at Hansaplast@Beiersdorf.com