About Scars

Scars are visible marks on the skin where excessive tissue growth has occurred once an injury or wound has healed. There are different types of scars including, fine lines, hypertrophic, keloid, and atrophic scars. Scars can be caused by acne, injury, surgery, pregnancy and c-sections. Visible scarring on the skin can lead to discomfort and have a psychological impact.

What are the different types of scars?

Fine line scars are common scars that occur after a wound or surgery. These scars typically take around 6 months to heal and fade over time.

Hypertrophic or ‘raised’ scars are the result of excess collagen being produced at the wound. This forms a raised area above the wound but does not extend beyond the wound.

Keloid scars are the result of an overly aggressive recovery and healing process that leads to an overgrowth beyond the original wound.

Atrophic scars are indented or ‘sunken’ scars that heal below the layer of skin tissue. Atrophic scars form when the skin is unable to regenerate tissue which results in imbalanced scarring.

Advice

What are the methods used to reduce the appearance of scars? There are many ways to reduce the appearance of scars. Depending on the type of scar, the suggested healing and recovery process differs. People may choose scar correction surgery, steroids, makeup or topical silicon. However, there are side effects of using these types of methods to make scars less visible. What is the best way to treat scars? Start early. A scar should be treated as soon as it appears to reduce the long-term effects. To avoid the side effects and negative impacts from surgery, steroids and other treatment methods, it can be beneficial to gently massage the scar to break up the building of collagen beneath the skin's surface. It is recommended to use a dermatologically approved cream that helps repair the skin. It is important to use a repairing cream with active, clinically proven ingredients that target the skin around the scar to soften and moisturise the upper layer of skin and reduces the appearance of the scar. However, before undergoing any new treatments, consult your GP for further advice.