As social beings, we take pride in our appearance. We want to look our best for others and ourselves. As such, we heavily invest in our looks, and we make sure we are always presentable in front of others.
Many take preventative measures to reduce wrinkles and practice grooming techniques such as hair removal and microneedling. But what happens when you experience scarring, and how do you treat it?
How Do Scars Form?
Scars form as your wound heals. If your skin has been cut or damaged, it repairs itself by growing new tissue to mend the wound and fill in any gaps caused by the injury. Scar tissue is primarily made from a protein called collagen.
They develop in different shapes and sizes. Some scars are larger, more visible, and more painful than others. It all depends on your genetics, ethnicity, sex, and age.
What Are the Different Types of Scars?
Similar to other blemishes, scars come in different forms, resulting in various treatments to get rid of specific scars. Before getting into possible sessions to undergo, you must first take note of the following scar types below:
Acne Scars
Acne scars happen due to the inflammation of your acne blemishes. It comes in different varieties depending on certain factors. For example, small acne blemishes create shallow scars that heal quickly.
On the other hand, big acne blemishes spill their contents into surrounding tissue, which causes deeper scars. Acne scars develop in two ways. First, when there is a loss of tissue, resulting in skin indentations. The other is when it grows in a raised manner on the skin's surface.
Keloid Scars
Keloid scars are thick clusters of scar tissue above the skin's surface and spread beyond the wounded area. They are a result of an aggressive healing process. If left untreated, it can hamper movement over time.
They are more common in darker-skinned individuals, and they often appear reddish or darker in colour and can appear anywhere in the body. But you can mostly see them on your chest, back, shoulders, and earlobes.
Hypertrophic Scars
Hypertrophic scars are bumpy scars that appear the same as keloid scars. Their difference is the growth of hypertrophic scars is confined within the boundaries of the wound. They are thick and look red in appearance.
It usually starts to develop within weeks after the skin gets injured. However, they are more responsive to treatment. They can naturally be smaller over time, usually around a year or more.
Contracture Scars
Contracture scars happen when a large area of skin undergoes damage and loss, often due to burning. This type of scarring tightens the skin by pulling the wound's edges together.
It can hinder your ability to move because it affects the muscles, joints, and tendons. They can also go deeper than the skin, affecting your nerves.
What Are the Different Treatments for Scars?
Fortunately, there are many treatments available for different types of scars. If you suffer from acne scars, you can go for more accessible treatments like microneedling and topical treatments. You can also go to a skin laser clinic to have your scars lasered off.
However, if you have more severe scars like burns, you can opt for procedures such as skin grafts, excision, dermabrasion, and laser surgery. Meanwhile, keloid scars and hypertrophic scars require other treatments, such as steroid injections.
Conclusion
Scars are an inevitable part of life, but you can use treatments to get rid of them. As always, make sure you consult with a professional to ensure you are on track and can get the best treatment for your condition.
If you're looking for a skin laser clinic in Point Cook, consider visiting Advanced Laser Clinic. We are committed to bringing you state-of-the-art non-invasive procedures suitable for all skin types. Contact us today to set an appointment with us.