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Scar Healing Process

Scar formation is a natural response to injuries that result in skin damage. A scar is composed of a tissue called collagen that is released when an injury causes damage deeper than the outer layer of skin, or epidermis. While the scar healing process is necessary, the resulting scars can be aesthetically unpleasing.

  1. Time Frame

    • Scars can take 12 to 18 months to fully mature. While some scars naturally improve and become less visible over time, others can remain for a lifetime. In their beginning stages, scars are dark red and raised. This initial red color is a result of an increase in blood vessels, which supply the healing tissues in the injured area. As scars heal, they become lighter and flatter.

    Factors

    • The scar healing process is different for each individual and for each injury. While scars can develop anywhere on the body, the elbows, knees and chest are more prone to scarring. Younger skin is more likely to produce thicker and more visible scars, due to is propensity to over-heal. Scars are more visible on areas where
      the skin is tightest, like the chin or forehead. They are less visible when they fall along natural skin lines or wrinkles.

    Types of Scars

    • There are 3 different types of scars: atrophic, hypertrophic and keloidal. Atrophic scars form as depressions in the skin, while hypertrophic scars are elevated. Keloid scars are elevated and grow continuously. They develop when scar tissue growth exceeds the original size of the injury. Keloid scars, apart from being potentially unsightly, can be itchy and painful to the touch.

    Treatment

    • There are many treatments available that help with the scar healing process. Natural treatments include the use of vitamins E and C and the application of scar healing cream containing aloe vera. These treatments help speed up the scar healing process and minimize the appearance of scars. In more severe cases--such as burn scars--surgery or dermabrasion (a method that removes outer layers of skin) may be necessary. Laser resurfacing is another option, a process that uses powerful light beams to "erase" skin imperfections. Cortisone injections are a popular option for lessening the negative effects of keloid scarring.

    Potential

    • New treatments to aid in the scar healing process are in development. According to an article on the website CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com, a British biotechnology company has invented a synthetic skin that will revolutionize the scar healing process. The synthetic skin produces collagen, replicating the body's natural process for creating new skin.

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