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“Will I have a scar?” A common question we hear from patients after a necessary biopsy or surgery, often out of concern for a good cosmetic outcome. The simple answer is that most wounds, except for small or minor ones, will result in some degree of scarring.
What is a scar?
A scar forms as a response to an injury. It is the skin’s natural way of repairing itself. When the skin is injured, the body creates new tissue made of a protein called collagen to aid in healing. Scars often have a different texture and appearance compared to the surrounding tissue due to the buildup of collagen. Their appearance and treatment depend on various factors.
Scars can be raised, flat, depressed, or pigmented. The appearance of a scar depends on several factors, including the injury or event that caused the scar; the size, severity, and location of the wound; the treatment you received for the wound, such as stitches; your age, genetics (your inherited tendency to scar), ethnicity, and overall health.
What causes a scar?
Scars can result from infection, injury, surgery, inflammation, or skin conditions such as acne. Types of scars:
How can I prevent a scar?
Keep wounds moist and wash with warm soapy water or hydrogen peroxide and apply plain petroleum jelly to avoid scabbing in the early stages of wound healing. Also avoid stretching or tension on the wound. We generally recommend to avoid overexerting yourself in the days following a procedure. If the wound required stitches, ensure the sutures are removed on time as advised by your healthcare provider. Additionally, apply sunscreen after the wound has healed to prevent discoloration.
Treatment for Scars
Although there is no cure for scars, with time, scars fade. Several treatments can help improve the appearance of scars or provide symptomatic relief:
In my opinion, the best things you can do for your scar are to give it time, massage it daily, and apply silicone sheets, which you can find at your local retailer. These three steps are affordable and effective in improving the appearance of scars! Visit us if you are interested in a custom treatment plan to help with the treatment of scars in Charlotte, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC.