Scars and Scar Treatments
A scar results from the biologic process of wound
repair in the skin and other tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is
a natural part of the healing process. With the exception of very
minor lesions, every wound (e.g. after accident, disease, or surgery)
results in some degree of scarring.
Scar tissue is not identical to the tissue which it
replaces and is usually of inferior functional quality. For example,
scars in the skin are less resistant to ultraviolet radiation, and
sweat glands and hair follicles do not grow back within scar tissue,
myocardial infarction causes scar formation in the heart muscle which
leads to loss of muscular power and possibly heart failure. However,
there are some tissues (e.g. bone) which can heal without any structural
or functional deterioration.
Scars of the skin
A scar is a natural part of the natural healing process.
Skin scars occur when the deep, thick layer of skin (the dermis) is
damaged.
To mend the damage, the body has to lay down new collagen
fibres (a naturally occurring protein which is produced by the body).
This process results in a scar. Because the body cannot
re-build the tissue exactly as it was, the new scar tissue will have
a different texture and quality to the surrounding normal tissue.
An injury does not become a scar until the wound has completely healed.
Most skin scars are of the flat and pale variety,
which leave a trace of the original injury which caused them.
Sometimes the body can over-produce collagen, which
results in a scar which is raised above the surrounding skin, these
are known as either Hypertrophic scars or Keloid scars.
Hypertrophic scars take the form of a red raised lump
on the skin, but do not grow beyond the boundaries of the original
wound, and they often improve in appearance after a few years.
Keloid scars are a more serious form of scarring,
because they can carry on growing indefinitely into a large, tumorous
(although benign) growth. These are caused when the body doesn't know
when to stop producing collagen.
Both hypertrophic and keloid scars are more common
on younger and darker skinned people. They can occur on anyone, but
some people have a genetic succeptibility to these types of scarring.
They can be caused by surgery, an accident, or sometimes by acne.
In some people, keloid scars form spontaneously.
Although they can be a cosmetic problem, keloid scars
are only inert masses of collagen and therefore completely harmless,
painless, and non-contagious. They tend to be most common on the shoulders
and chest. Keloid scars are most common among Asians and Blacks.
Alternately, a scar can take the form of a sunken
recess in the skin, which has a pitted appearance. These are caused
when underlying structures supporting the skin, such as fat or muscle
are lost. This type of scarring is commonly associated with acne,
but can be caused by chickenpox, surgery or an accident.
Scars can also take the form of stretched skin. These
are caused when the skin is stretched rapidly (for instance during
pregnancy, or adolescent growth spurts), or when skin is put under
tension during the healing process, (usually near joints). This type
of scar usually improves in appearance after a few years.
Treatments for skin scars
No scar can ever be completely removed. They will
always leave a trace, but their appearance can be improved by a number
of means, including:
Simple scar treatments
Some suggest that using creams containing Vitamin
E, taking vitamin E supplements, or including plenty of vitamin E
in a diet from sources such as wheat germ, nuts, vegetable oils, eggs
and green vegetables, can help speed up the healing process, and lessen
the appearance of any scar afterwards.
Other research, however, suggests that applying Vitamin
E to post surgical scars does not reduce the size, shape, or color
of scars and can, in up to one third of patients, result in contact
dermatitis, allergic reactions, or other irritation that can worsen
a scar's appearance. (Source: Baumann, Dermatologic Surgery, 1999.
Also: [1]
There is also a suggestion that cocoa butter
cream can be used to help heal scars, and to prevent the
formation of keloid scars.
Surgery for Scar Removal
Any surgical scar removal will always leave a new
scar that will take up to two years to mature. Surgery can never remove
a scar but can be used to alter its alignment or shape to make it
less noticeable.
Surgery can sometimes make the scar bigger, but improve
its overall appearance. Surgery can sometimes be necessary to remove
a scar on skin near a joint where it restricts movement.
In the case of hypertrophic or keloid scarring, surgery
is not recommended, as there is a high risk of re-occurrence of possibly
worse scarring following surgery.
Laser Surgery & Resurfacing
The use of lasers on scars is experimental treatment,
the safety or effectiveness of which has not yet been proven.
The redness of scars may be reduced by treatment with
a vascular laser. It has been theorised that removing layers of skin
with a carbon dioxide laser may help flatten scars, although this
treatment is still highly experimental.
Steroid injections
A long term course of steroid injections under medical
supervision, into the scar may help flatten and soften the appearance
of keloid or hypertrophic scars.
The steroid is injected into the scar itself and very
little is absorbed into the blood stream, side effects of this treatment
are minor. This treatment is repeated at 4-6 week intervals.
Pressure garments
Pressure garments should be used only under supervision
by a medical professional. They are most often used for burn scars
that cover a large area, this treatment is only effective on recent
scars.
Pressure garments are usually custom-made from elastic
materials, and fit tightly around the scarring. They work best when
they are worn 24 hours a day for six to twelve months. It is believed
that they work, by applying constant pressure to surface blood vessels,
after a long period of wearing one scars flatten and become softer.
Radiotherapy
Low-dose, superficial radiotherapy, is used to prevent
re-occurrence of severe keloid and hypertrophic scarring. It is usually
effective, but only used in extreme cases due to the risk of long-term
side effects.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion involves the removal of the surface of
the skin with specialist equipment and usually involves a general
anaesthetic. The top layer of the skin is removed to make the scar
look less pitted. It makes the scar less visible but does not remove
it completely. It is useful when the scar is raised above the surrounding
skin, but is less effective with sunken scars. Multiple treatments
may be necessary to get the desired results. This procedure is usually
performed by a cosmetic surgeon.
Collagen injections
Collagen injections can be used to raise sunken scars
to the level of surrounding skin. Its effects are however temporary,
and it needs to be regularly repeated. There is also a risk in some
people of an allergic reaction.
Other scar treatments
There are also a number of gel sheets available which
are usually made from silicone, which can help to flatten and soften
raised scars if worn regularly. Silicone, pressure, occlusion, topical
cortisone and vitamin E have all been shown to decrease the collagen
that forms scars. Patches and pads help but are unsightly so people
tend to quit. The most popular treatment among plastic surgeons is
Scarguard, a liquid that dries to a clear plastic film and contains
silicone, a mild cortisone and vitamin E.
It’s
a simple idea. A peel is a process by which old-dead skin cells are
brought to the surface of the skin in a more rapid manner than normal.
These dead cells are then gently sloughed off the surface of the skin
to reveal new, fresh skin. ZENMED™ now brings this to you, clean,
simple and safe, and at a price all of us can afford.
The results are amazing. Instant, visible results
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Peel” remains, and will continue to be in demand! It includes:
ZENMED™ MicroDermabrasion Complex
– The powerhouse of this system is our professional-grade blend
of exfoliating ingredients. These fine-milled ingredients are then
punctuated with all-natural extracts of Comfrey and Green Tea. This
combination creates a gentle yet effective peeling action on the outer
surface of the skin.
ZENMED™ Skin Eraser –
A medicated, well-known and established skin lightening agent is blended
into a natural base of healing Aloe Vera, Green Tea and Cucumber.
Only needs to be applied to the effective areas to penetrate the damages
skin tissue and restore it to normalcy.
The All-New Doctor Formulated ZENMED™ Scar and
Hyperpigmentation Treatment is the solution for you if:
- You have dark spots or scars on your face from a breakout
- You have experienced freckling or spotting from the sun
- You have suffered from any unwanted darkening of the skin (due
to hormonal changes, skin ailments, aging)
From Wikipedia
