How do scars form and what causes them. Which ingredients are most effective for fading scars. What are the best scar treatment options for different skin types and scar types. How long does it typically take to see results from scar treatments. What are some natural remedies for reducing the appearance of scars.

Understanding Scar Formation and Healing

Scars are a natural part of the body’s healing process after an injury or wound. They form when tough fibrous tissue grows over the damaged area. While scars are unavoidable in many cases, there are ways to minimize their appearance and promote faster healing.

The scar healing process typically involves several stages:

1. Inflammation – The initial response as the body works to stop bleeding and prevent infection
2. Proliferation – New tissue and blood vessels form to repair the wound
3. Remodeling – The new tissue is reorganized and strengthened over time

Understanding these stages can help in choosing the most effective scar treatment approaches at different points in the healing process.

Key Ingredients for Effective Scar Treatment

When selecting scar treatment products, certain ingredients have been shown to be particularly beneficial:

• Vitamin C – Promotes collagen production and skin regeneration
• Silicone – Forms a protective barrier and helps hydrate the scar
• Onion extract – Contains anti-inflammatory properties
• Aloe vera – Soothes skin and may reduce scar tissue formation
• Vitamin E – Moisturizes and may improve scar appearance
• Hyaluronic acid – Hydrates skin and promotes healing

Products containing combinations of these ingredients often yield the best results for scar fading and healing.

Top Scar Treatment Options for Different Skin Types

For Sensitive Skin

Tetyana Naturals Scar Removal Cream is an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin. Its gentle formula incorporates soothing ingredients like flower extracts and aloe juice, making it suitable for use on delicate areas.

For Acne-Prone Skin

Organyc Skin Whitening Cream is specifically formulated to address discoloration from acne scars. It utilizes antioxidants from red grapes to reduce melanin production, helping to fade dark spots left by breakouts.

For All Skin Types

Body Merry Scar Gel offers a lightweight, non-sticky formula suitable for various skin types. Its blend of natural ingredients like Quercetin and Kakadu plums works to reduce scar appearance while being gentle on the skin.

Natural Remedies for Scar Reduction

For those preferring natural approaches, several options have shown promise in scar treatment:

• Wild Thera Scar Fade Balm – Contains lavender, shea butter, and Tamanu oil to hydrate and heal skin
• Emu oil – Rich in fatty acids that promote skin regeneration
• Rosehip seed oil – High in vitamins A and C, known to improve skin texture
• Honey – Has antimicrobial and wound-healing properties
• Aloe vera gel – Soothes and moisturizes skin while promoting healing

These natural remedies can be effective alternatives or complements to commercial scar treatments.

Optimizing Scar Treatment Results

To maximize the effectiveness of scar treatments, consider the following tips:

1. Start treatment early – Begin as soon as the wound has closed for best results
2. Be consistent – Apply treatments regularly as directed
3. Protect from sun – UV exposure can worsen scar appearance
4. Stay hydrated – Well-hydrated skin heals more effectively
5. Massage the area – Gentle massage can improve circulation and reduce scar tissue

Combining these practices with appropriate scar treatments can significantly improve outcomes.

Addressing Different Types of Scars

Various scar types may require different treatment approaches:

Atrophic Scars (e.g., acne scars)

These indented scars often respond well to treatments that stimulate collagen production, such as retinoids or microneedling.

Hypertrophic Scars

Raised scars may benefit from silicone sheets or gels to flatten and soften the scar tissue.

Keloid Scars

These overgrown scars often require professional treatments like steroid injections or cryotherapy.

Stretch Marks

While technically a type of scar, stretch marks often respond best to treatments that improve skin elasticity and stimulate collagen production.

Professional Scar Treatment Options

For more severe or persistent scars, professional treatments may be necessary:

• Laser therapy – Can improve scar texture and color
• Chemical peels – Help to remove damaged outer layers of skin
• Microneedling – Stimulates collagen production to improve scar appearance
• Dermabrasion – Mechanically removes outer layers of scar tissue
• Surgical revision – Can improve the appearance of some types of scars

Consulting with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon can help determine the most appropriate professional treatment options for individual cases.

Scar Prevention Strategies

While not all scars can be prevented, certain practices can minimize their formation:

1. Proper wound care – Keep wounds clean and moist to promote optimal healing
2. Avoid picking or scratching – This can lead to further damage and scarring
3. Use sunscreen – Protect healing skin from UV damage
4. Maintain a healthy diet – Proper nutrition supports skin healing
5. Stay hydrated – Well-hydrated skin is more resilient and heals better
6. Manage underlying conditions – Conditions like acne should be treated to prevent ongoing scarring

Implementing these strategies can help reduce the likelihood and severity of scar formation.

Scar treatment is a process that requires patience and consistency. While some products may show quick results, most treatments take several weeks or months to produce noticeable improvements. It’s important to have realistic expectations and to continue treatment as directed for best results.

When choosing a scar treatment, consider factors such as your skin type, the type and age of the scar, and any sensitivities you may have. What works well for one person may not be as effective for another, so it may take some trial and error to find the best solution for your specific needs.

Remember that scars are a natural part of the healing process and can be a testament to your body’s resilience. While it’s understandable to want to minimize their appearance, it’s also important to embrace them as part of your unique story and journey.

Combining Treatments for Enhanced Results

Often, a multi-faceted approach to scar treatment yields the best results. Consider combining different methods for a more comprehensive treatment plan:

• Topical treatments + massage – Improves product absorption and breaks down scar tissue
• Silicone sheets during the day + moisturizing treatments at night
• At-home treatments + periodic professional treatments
• Exfoliation + hydration – Removes dead skin cells and promotes new cell growth

Consult with a skincare professional to create a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific scar concerns and skin type.

The Role of Nutrition in Scar Healing

While topical treatments are crucial, don’t underestimate the power of nutrition in supporting scar healing from within. Key nutrients that support skin health and healing include:

• Vitamin C – Essential for collagen production
• Zinc – Supports tissue repair and immune function
• Protein – Provides building blocks for new tissue
• Omega-3 fatty acids – Help reduce inflammation
• Vitamin A – Supports skin cell turnover

Incorporating these nutrients into your diet can complement topical treatments and support overall skin health.

The Psychological Impact of Scars

It’s important to acknowledge that scars can have emotional and psychological effects beyond their physical appearance. Some individuals may experience:

• Reduced self-esteem
• Social anxiety
• Depression
• Body image issues

If you find that your scars are causing significant distress, consider seeking support from a mental health professional. They can provide strategies for coping with the emotional aspects of scarring and help you develop a positive body image.

Innovative Scar Treatment Technologies

The field of scar treatment is constantly evolving, with new technologies emerging to provide more effective solutions:

• Fractional laser treatments – Target specific areas of scar tissue
• Growth factor serums – Stimulate cellular regeneration
• Stem cell therapy – Shows promise in promoting tissue regeneration
• 3D-printed skin grafts – May help in treating severe scarring

While some of these technologies are still in development or limited availability, they represent exciting possibilities for future scar treatment options.

Scar Treatment for Different Body Areas

Different areas of the body may require specialized approaches to scar treatment:

Facial Scars

Facial scars often benefit from gentle, non-irritating treatments and products specifically formulated for sensitive facial skin. Sun protection is particularly crucial for facial scars to prevent discoloration.

Body Scars

Scars on the body may tolerate stronger treatments and benefit from occlusive dressings or silicone sheets to keep the area hydrated and protected.

Joint Areas

Scars near joints require treatments that maintain flexibility to prevent restriction of movement. Regular massage and stretching can be particularly beneficial for these areas.

Scalp Scars

Treating scars on the scalp can be challenging due to hair growth. Specialized serums or treatments designed to penetrate through hair may be necessary.

Tailoring your scar treatment approach to the specific location can improve overall results and address unique challenges posed by different body areas.

Long-Term Scar Management

Scar treatment is often not a short-term process. Long-term management strategies can help maintain improvements and prevent scar recurrence:

• Continued sun protection – Even after scars have faded
• Regular moisturizing – To maintain skin elasticity
• Periodic professional treatments – To address any recurring issues
• Healthy lifestyle habits – To support overall skin health

By incorporating these practices into your routine, you can help ensure that the results of your scar treatment efforts are long-lasting.

When to Seek Professional Help

While many scars can be effectively treated at home, certain situations warrant professional intervention:

• Scars that limit movement or function
• Rapidly growing or changing scars
• Extremely painful or itchy scars
• Scars that don’t respond to over-the-counter treatments
• Scars causing significant emotional distress

A dermatologist or plastic surgeon can provide advanced treatment options and ensure that any underlying issues are properly addressed.

Remember, every scar and every person is unique. What works best for one individual may not be ideal for another. It’s important to be patient with the process, listen to your body, and be willing to adjust your approach as needed. With persistence and the right combination of treatments, many scars can be significantly improved, helping you feel more confident in your skin.

10 Remedies For Fading Any Kind Of Scar Quickly And Effectively

I’m of the belief that a scar is a symbol of your strength in getting through whatever challenge caused it. That said, for those who are looking for scar fading remedies, there are options — and some of the best are surprisingly accessible. If you’re not sure which balms, creams, gels, or pads are best for you, it pays to do a little research before you begin shopping.

Scars form because of tough fibrous tissue that heals over an injury or wound. They’re a natural part of the healing process, but if you’d rather speed up the evidence of surgeries, break-outs, or accidents, the right ingredients can help. Those who are wondering how to remove and fade scars should aim for ingredients that boost cell turnover, keep the skin hydrated, reduce inflammation, and nourish the area with essential vitamins. This will not only reduce current redness and irritation, but will also encourage the skin to heal itself long-term.

As always, check ingredients lists for your known irritants, and start to narrow down options that way. Much of your scar-healing journey will have to do with preference; some people don’t mind the dewy consistency of a natural gel, while others prefer to keep the area covered with a scar healing sheet. Whichever you prefer, here are 10 remedies you can use to help treat your scars quickly, conveniently, and effectively.

1. The Best Lightweight Healing Gel

Body Merry Scar Gel, $23, Amazon

If you dislike the feeling of a sticky residue, this scar-fading gel aims to heal scars with its restorative and natural formula — all while remaining lightweight and non-sticky.

Ingredients like Quercetin (a natural anti-inflammatory found in onions) and Kakadu plums (an Australian plant full of vitamin C) reduce the appearance of scars, no matter the cause. Hydrolized collagen creates epidermal growth by regulating the skin’s cell production, and its formula is safe for sensitive-skin. Though it says it can take up to 12 weeks to start working, fans of this product report serious improvement in just a few weeks. Reviewers also say, “it’s not greasy or slimy” and it “absorbs quickly.”

2. The Best Natural Scar-Healing Balm

Wild Thera Scar Fade Balm, $18, Amazon

If you’re looking for something that prompts healing using ingredients from nature, this Scar Fade Balm is a fan-favorite. It’s great for acne scars, sun spots, and surgical scars because its lavender, shea butter, and Tamanu oil formula hydrates skin as it heals. Reviewers of the balm say it reduces both discoloration and texture, and its herbal, aromatherapeutic scent smells great, too.

“I have noticed the scar is no longer as raised as it once was and in person you can definitely tell it’s gotten smaller,” one reviewer raves. “I can’t wait to see what happens as I keep using it.”

3. The Best Cream For Acne Scarring

Organyc Skin Whitening Cream, $16, Amazon

When discoloration is your primary concern, this Organyc Skin Whitening Cream is specifically made for the red spots and bumps left by severe acne. It uses an antioxidant compound found in red grapes to reduce melanin, and it won’t leave your skin smelling like harsh chemicals because of its vitamin-packed, botanical formula. A clinical study found 85 percent of people had brighter skin after using the cream, and users say its fragrance-free formula lightens other dark spots on their bodies, too, producing a subtle glow just after applying.

4. A Fading Cream For Sensitive Skin

Tetyana Naturals Scar Removal Cream, $35, Amazon

Many scar remedies may contain extracts and concentrated ingredients that are too harsh for sensitive skin. Instead of irritating ingredients, this scar treatment cream utilizes a gentle formula which soothes skin using flower extracts and aloe juice. Because it’s specially formulated for all skin types, it can be used on even the most gentle areas, like on scabs left by mosquito bites.

“This has changed my skin,” says one reviewer. “I kept reading great things about it and thought I would try it out. I started using it for my dry skin and it’s helped so much. I have sensitive and super dry skin that gets deep cystic acne on my chin and cheeks from PCOS. It not only cleared up the scarring, but my cystic acne is all gone.”

5. The Best One-Ingredient Remedy

InstaNatural Emu Oil, $21, Amazon

Science has shown that topical emu oil has a positive effect on wound-healing when used after the initial inflammatory stages. In other words, it’s especially effective for scars. This pick from InstaNatural is entirely pure and contains only AEA-certified refined emu oil. As a result, it’s absolutely packed with healing and anti-inflammatory fatty acids, which help to speed along rejuvenation and keep the area well-moisturized.

It’s a great all-around product for various beauty-related issues (like hair growth, nail health, and dryness and discoloration), but reviewers really love it for scars: “The older scar was somewhat faded to begin with and has now really started to disappear, and the newer one, which was lumpy and bright pink, is now much smoother and lighter in color,” says one buyer.

6. The Most Travel-Friendly Remedy

Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter, $5, Amazon

Lemon is another effective ingredient when it comes to treating dark spots and scars because it’s rich in vitamin C and has astringent qualities. While this lemon butter cream is made for cuticles and nails, its list of natural ingredients (like lemon oil, beeswax, rosemary extract, vitamin E, and almond oil) make it a pleasant pocket-size fix ideal for healing scars. Users say the compact tin lasts longer than you’d think, and its high-moisture formula easily slides on for simple application. Best of all, it’s easy to travel with or keep in your desk at work, so it’s never far when it comes time for reapplication.

7. Silicone Sheets For Protecting New Scars

Scar Reduction Treatment Gel Sheeting, $20, Amazon

Newer scars need a safe environment to help them heal, and that’s why this silicone gel scar sheeting is ideal for post-surgery treatments, specifically. It protects scars from germs and outside contact while the permeated surface still allows healing skin to breathe and retain moisture. Application is easy and effortless, and sheets can be cut for a custom-fit shape that lasts up to 24 hours at a time. You can get them in various colors, and reviewers say, “I truly wish I had known about these for my first [two] surgeries.”

8. The Best Wound-Healing Supplement

Purethentic Naturals Grape Seed Extract, $18, Amazon

When it comes to scars, healing them from the inside-out can be a great addition to topical treatment. Grape seed extract boosts the healing of wounds because it enhances the growth of epidermal tissue, and these capsules from Purethentic Naturals contain nothing but grape seed — no fillers and no unnecessary ingredients. Added bonus: It’s great for your immune system, your cardiovascular health, and even PMS. Of course, check with your doctor before implementing any supplemental changes in your diet.

9. The Best Vitamin For Skin Rejuvenation

Seeking Health Vitamin A Drops, $22, Amazon

While many sources suggest vitamin E for scar-healing, science has actually shown that there is no evidence to support it — and it could potentially even worsen the appearance of scar-tissue. Vitamin A, on the other hand, helps in the rejuvenation of skin tissue, and if you’ve got a deficiency, it could delay the healing of a scar.

These vitamin A drops are a great dietary supplement because they’re free from common allergens (like gluten, casein, and corn) and they’re easy to administer. Just put a few neutral-tasting drops into anything you happen to be eating or drinking, and reap the benefits of smoother skin. One user even said her oily, acne-prone skin appeared clearer days after use.

10. The Best Healing Clay Mask For Scarring

Bentonite Clay Mask, $10, Amazon

Many people use it for its pore-cleansing and complexion-clearing abilities, but this healing clay mask also remineralizes the body with calcium and silica. As a result, reviewers say it “truly works at improving the appearance of acne scars,” and some have even had success healing scars elsewhere on the body. The best part? Your scar-healing journey is going to feel like a spa day administered right from your home. One user said acne-related scars around her T-Zone and mouth healed up after two uses.

Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle’s editorial and sales departments.

This post was originally published on 2/16/2016. It was updated and republished on 6/18/2019.

This article was originally published on Feb. 17, 2016

Scars: A guide to good healing

Scars can be a source of anxiety for many people. You might be worried a scar isn’t healing fast enough, or that it looks worse than you think it should. Here’s how to help the process along and when to ask for help.

Keep an eye, not a hand on your scar

Monitoring your scar will help you to track its progress and catch any problems early, but you need to avoid touching the area unnecessarily. Do what you need to keep the area clean and dry, but make sure you sterilise your hands before applying any creams or gels that you have been advised to use. Never pick scabs, as this just prolongs the healing process and increases the risk of infection. Every scar is different so make sure you follow the specific advice given by your doctor.

The importance of keeping your wound clean cannot be understated. Infection is the worst thing for a healing scar. It will delay your healing and could make you very sick. Consult your GP if you notice any of the following signs:

• swelling, redness, itching and increasing pain in the affected area
• pus in or around the wound
• generally feeling unwell
• a raised temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above
• swollen glands in the chin, neck, armpits or groin.

Know your stage of recovery

Not knowing where you are in the healing process can lead to unnecessary concern or missing signs that the scar isn’t healing properly. If you have an incision or stitches, the wound can take a full three months to heal and the scar will fade over a number of years. Here’s how the process breaks down:

Stage one: Haemostasis

Blood rushes to the site of the wound and clotting occurs, stopping the bleed. This process begins immediately.

Stage two: Inflammation

Once haemostasis is achieved (usually within a few minutes) cells are sent to repair the wound. The wound heats up, pain increases, redness spreads. This can persist up to around day four.

Stage three: Proliferation

The tissue around the wound contracts, drawing the wound smaller and closing the skin. This usually occurs from around day four up to day 21.

Stage four: Remodelling

After around 21 days, the deeper structures begin to form, giving the wound tensile strength. This process can continue for around two years. It’s during this time that problems with the scar can occur and leave you with more severe scarring in the longer term.

Watch out for keloid and hypertrophic scars

As connective tissue builds up during the remodelling phase, two key problems can occur – keloid and hypertrophic scarring.

In both keloid and hypertrophic scars the tissue continues to build up when the scar has effectively healed, causing it to darken and form large mounds of scar tissue. They look similar, but have very different outcomes. Keloids are difficult to treat and will never improve on their own while hypertrophic scars may fade with time and respond well to steroid treatment.

Telling the difference is hard, so if you think a keloid or hypertrophic scar is forming or you have had keloids before, let your GP or skin specialist know as soon as possible. Early steroid treatment may reduce risk of developing a keloid scar but once it has formed there are limited ways to improve its appearance. There are options such as cryosurgery, excision, laser and steroid injections that can be explored, but there can be a risk of further scarring.

Keloids are fairly rare, occurring in just 10% of people. They’re more common in those of Afro-Caribbean decent or with darker skin and are more likely to occur on the shoulders, face, upper chest and back. If you’ve had a keloid before your risk of having another is heightened.

Hypertrophic scars won’t grow as large as keloids and may fade on their own. However, they are more common in all racial groups. Hypertrophic scars usually respond well and flatten out with steroid treatment. Silicone tape has also been seen to be an effective treatment for hypertrophic scars.

Click here for more information about options for serious scars and burns.

Healthy skin, healthy scars

The best way to improve your chances of a good outcome is to start with healthy skin. Vitamin C, E, zinc and B are all very good for the skin and I have seen particularly good results with the use of vitamin A – not just in creams but in your diet (WARNING: don’t use vitamin A if you are pregnant).

Make sure you get plenty of these vitamins while healing, and keep your scar out of the sun, which can cause pigmentation issues, including melanoma.

Last updated Monday 14 June 2021

How to Make a Wound Heal Faster

One of the first things anyone wants to know after suffering an injury or going through a surgical procedure is how long it will take them to heal. The answer, of course, depends upon a variety of factors, but there are a number of steps you can take to help your wound heal faster. In addition to following your physician or surgeon’s wound care instructions, understanding how the body heals after an injury will help you to make better choices that support effective and rapid healing.

Understanding the Stages of Healing

When the body has suffered an injury, the immune system immediately kicks into action to stabilize the wound site and begin the healing process. Regardless of the severity of the wound, the healing process consists of several discrete stages. 

Bleeding

While blood loss following a traumatic injury is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of one and 46, bleeding plays an essential role in the healing process. That’s because blood clots are the body’s primary means of closing a wound site to protect it from infection, avoid further blood loss, and create a stable healing environment. Clotting typically begins within minutes, forming a scab as blood exposed to the open air dries.

Swelling

Although swelling is often associated with infection, it is also a sign that the body is mobilizing the immune system to cleanse the wound site and prepare it for further healing. As blood vessels expand and white blood cells are deployed to destroy foreign bacteria and dead tissue, the skin may become tender, reddish, and warm. Clear fluid may also secrete from the wound, which is an indication that the body is flushing out potential contaminants. If swelling persists or the wound secretes a greenish or yellow discharge, however, the wound may be infected.

Tissue Regrowth

Once the wound site has been stabilized, the body begins to rebuild the damaged tissue. Typically beginning about five days after the injury occurs, this stage can take as little as a few weeks for minor wounds. The body repairs broken blood vessels and replaces damaged tissue with granulation tissue, which slowly pulls the wound edges closer together beneath the scab.

Scarring

Granulation tissue grows back slightly differently than the tissue it replaces, resulting in a scar. When the regrowth phase is completed and the scab falls off, the resulting tissue is weaker and less flexible than the skin surrounding it. Over time, the new tissue will continue to strengthen, but it will usually have a noticeably different appearance. The scar may disappear completely in the case of minor wounds.

How to Make a Wound Heal Faster

While much of the healing process takes place naturally, there are several things that you can do to help your wound heal faster. Whether the wound is the result of a surgical procedure or a minor accident that did not require medical attention, taking the proper precautions can ensure that the healing process doesn’t take any longer than it should.

Get Plenty of Rest…

The body’s immune system consumes a great deal of energy when it’s working to combat infection and repair tissue. When the body doesn’t have time to rest and recover, it struggles to heal consistently. Recent research has even shown that disruption to sleep cycles can significantly delay the healing process. Failing to get enough rest also makes the body more vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections, both of which can further tax the immune system and prolong healing.

…But Stay Active

On the other hand, too much rest can be detrimental to the healing process. Regular exercise and activity help to reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and improve mental health. That last benefit is extremely important in combatting depression, which is a major risk for patients enduring prolonged hospital stays. Activities such as swimming, running, or even taking short walks can help patients remain active to promote better healing.

Watch What You Eat

Foods rich in key vitamins and nutrients (such as vitamin A and C or potassium and zinc) can provide the immune system with the support it needs to do its job more effectively. There are a number of foods that can help reduce inflammation and several that should be a part of anyone’s diet following a surgical procedure. Foods heavy in nitrates, spices, and sugar, however, can often cause inflammation or strain skin-tissue and blood vessels. 

Don’t Smoke

This one should be obvious, but many patients fail to appreciate the many ways that smoking makes it more difficult for the body to heal. The carbon monoxide in cigarettes lowers the oxygen level of blood vessels, which causes them to constrict and limit blood flow to damaged areas. Reducing oxygen also acts as a brake on the immune system, making it more difficult for your body to fend off infection and rebuild tissue. Even a single cigarette can significantly impact healing outcomes because it takes a full three days to rid the blood system of carbon monoxide. 

Keep the Wound Clean

Although skin heals best with a slightly moist environment, that also happens to be the ideal breeding ground for the bacteria that can cause an infection and complicate the healing process. Keeping the wound surface clean without also making it too dry can be a difficult balance for many people. In the case of surgical wounds, this may entail changing dressings on a regular basis to maintain a clean and sanitary wound site. Avoiding infection, however, will allow the healing process to go more smoothly.

How BandGrip Can Help Your Wound Heal Faster

BandGrip Micro-Anchor Skin Closures offer a number of important advantages that help wounds heal faster and more naturally than would be possible with closure methods like sutures and staples. Minimally invasive, BandGrip’s patented micro-anchors grip the skin securely and pull wound edges together to facilitate the body’s natural healing process. Research has shown that BandGrip’s waterproof seal against the skin creates the ideal environment for healing while eliminating the need for frequent dressing changes and keeping out foreign contaminants that could cause infection.

With no whiskers or edges to catch on clothing or obstacles, BandGrip supports much greater levels of ambulation and activity than traditional closure methods. This allows patients to resume regular activity or begin rehabilitation faster than ever. They can even take a shower or enter the water 24 hours after application. While it may not be able to help with your cigarette cravings or encourage you to eat healthier, BandGrip’s innovative characteristics encourage behaviors that will help your wound heal faster.

No one wants to be laid up with an injury for any longer than they need to. By taking the appropriate steps to help your wound heal faster, you can give your immune system all the support it needs to get you back to your regular lifestyle. BandGrip Micro-Anchor Skin Closures facilitate faster healing outcomes, making them the ideal choice among leading wound closure modalities.

Scar Treatment: How to Heal Your Scar

Your hand surgeon or hand therapist may recommend a variety of scar treatments once your injury is healed, cuts are closed, and stitches are removed. Timing of your scar treatment varies depending on the type of injury or surgery. Scar management treatments may include:

• Scar massage can help decrease sensitivity and loosen any deeper areas that seem “stuck.” Scar massage helps to produce a smooth, moveable scar. You can use any type of over-the-counter cream such as Vaseline, cocoa butter or hand lotion for this. The tissue should be massaged in the direction of the scar for ten minutes twice a day. This is useful for 3-6 months or for as long as it seems to be helping.
• Early controlled exercise programs can prevent stiffness of nearby joints and keep tendons gliding under the skin.
• Silicone gel can be placed on the scar in sheets or in liquid form (Figure 1). Silicone sheets can be washed and re-used. Silicone gel dries as a very thin layer and will stay on curved skin surfaces that move throughout the day. Silicone therapy is best used 12-24 hours a day for 3-6 months. Taping/wrapping of the scar can help reduce swelling and tension.
• Massage, vibration and rubbing the scars with various textures can help overly sensitive scars. These occur when the nerves in the skin and deeper tissues are affected by the injury or surgery. The scar may also be submerged in slightly abrasive particles. The goal of this is to reduce scar sensitivity and to help the skin and nerves become tolerant of the normal forces of everyday living. This process of “desensitizing” the scar can take up to 4 months. It can be started as soon as the skin and repaired tissues have healed.
• Injections or surgery can be effective for special scar problems. Burn scars or other more serious injuries can require aggressive treatment. Special gloves or topical treatment may be used for burn scars.

Some scars take up to a year to mature. Therefore, some scar revisions (a surgery that minimizes a scar so it blends in) may not be offered until a year after injury/surgery. Scars have completed the healing process when they are light in color, smooth, and no longer sensitive to touch. A fresh, healing scar (pink, red, raised, thick, and sensitive) should be protected from sunlight; sun exposure can darken it.

Scar Healing

After the skin and deeper tissues have healed, the scar goes through four different stages of healing. Although the initial skin scar may be minimal, the scar will often enlarge and become more reddened over the following 4-6 weeks. An active scar is typically red, raised, firm and thick. Sometimes this change can be confused with infection. Also, the outermost layer often loosens while the deeper layers remain intact; this is normal as well.

Following the swelling/reddening phase, the wound becomes smaller and paler over the next 2-3 months (Figure 2). Later, the scar becomes soft and has a more natural color in most individuals.

© 2016 American Society for Surgery of the Hand

This content is written, edited and updated by hand surgeon members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Find a hand surgeon near you.

3 Ways to Heal Scars Fast

About This Article

Medically reviewed by:

Board Certified Dermatologist

This article was medically reviewed by R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH. Dr. R. Sonia Batra is a board certified Dermatologist and the Founder of Batra Dermatology based in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Batra specializes in lasers, medical devices, patient and public medical education, and skin cancer research. She received her Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree in Public Health, and her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees from Harvard University. As a Rhodes Scholar, she earned a Master’s degree in Molecular Genetics at the University of Oxford. She completed her residency training in Dermatology at Stanford University. Dr. Batra has contributed and reviewed for the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and JAMA Dermatology. She is also a co-host of CBS’ Emmy award-winning television show, The Doctors. This article has been viewed 39,844 times.

Co-authors: 8

Updated: August 13, 2021

Views: 39,844

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Article SummaryX

Although there are no miracle cures when it comes to healing your scars, there are a few things you can do to help your skin recover. Apply a thin layer of aloe vera or Vaseline to your scar up to 3 times a day to hydrate your skin and help it heal. Cover your scar with an adhesive bandage after applying aloe vera or Vaseline, which will keep your scar moist and promote cell growth. Alternatively, cover your scar with a silicon gel sheet and change it every day. Try to avoid going out in the sun while your scar is healing since sun exposure can actually make a scar worse. If you do go outside, always apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to your scar. This will protect your skin from discoloration. If your scar doesn’t look any better after a few months, talk to your doctor about corticosteroid injections, which can help your skin heal quicker. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to safely clean a wound, read on!

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Scars: Treatment and Cause

Overview

What are scars?

Scars form as part of the healing process after your skin has been cut or damaged. The skin repairs itself by growing new tissue to pull together the wound and fill in any gaps caused by the injury. Scar tissue is made primarily of a protein called collagen.

Scars develop in all shapes and sizes. Some scars are large and painful, while some are barely visible. People with dark skin (especially people with African, Asian or Hispanic heritage), as well as red-haired individuals, are more likely to develop keloid scars. Keloids are raised scars that grow and extend beyond the injured area. Depending on their size, type and location, your scars may look unsightly and may even make it difficult to move.

Not all scars require treatment, and many fade away over time. If a scar is bothering you or causing pain, treatments can help.

How common are scars?

Nearly everyone develops some type of scar, whether from an accident, a surgical procedure, acne or an illness like chickenpox (varicella). Scars affect people of all ages and genders.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the signs of a scar?

When a scar first develops on lighter skin, it’s usually pink or red. Over time, the pinkish color fades, and the scar becomes slightly darker or lighter than the color of the skin. In people with dark skin, scars often appear as dark spots. Sometimes scars itch, and they may be painful or tender.

A scar’s appearance depends on several factors, including:

• Injury or event that caused the scar, such as surgery, a burn or severe acne.
• Size, severity and location of the wound.
• Treatment you received for the wound, such as stitches or bandages.
• Your age, genes, ethnicity and overall health.

What are the types of scars?

Scars can develop anywhere on the skin. There are several types of scars, including:

• Contracture: Often developing after a burn, a contracture scar causes the skin to tighten (contract). These scars can make it difficult to move, especially when the scarring gets into the muscles and nerves or occurs over a joint.
• Depressed (atrophic): These sunken scars often result from chickenpox or acne. They look like rounded pits or small indentations in the skin. Also called ice pick scars, they develop most often on the face. Acne scars may become more noticeable as you age because the skin loses collagen and elasticity over time.
• Flat: Although it may be slightly raised at first, this type of scar flattens out as it heals. Flat scars are often pink or red. Over time, they may become slightly lighter or darker than the surrounding skin.
• Keloids: These scars are raised above the skin’s surface and spread beyond the wounded area. The overgrown scar tissue can get large and may affect movement.
• Raised (hypertrophic): You can feel a hypertrophic scar when you run your finger over it. These raised scars may get smaller over time, but they never completely flatten out. Unlike keloids, they don’t grow or spread beyond the wounded area.
• Stretch marks: When skin expands or shrinks quickly, the connective tissues under the skin can be damaged. Stretch marks often develop during pregnancy, puberty or after gaining or losing a lot of weight. They usually appear on the breasts, stomach, thighs and upper arms.

Scar tissue can also build up inside the body. Internal scar tissue can result from surgery (like abdominal adhesions) and some health conditions, such as Asherman’s syndrome and Peyronie’s disease. An autoimmune disease such as scleroderma creates skin changes resembling scarring from the inflammation in the skin.

What causes scars?

Scars are part of the body’s healing process. As part of your immune system, your skin is the barrier to protect you from germs and other harmful substances. When skin is injured, the body creates new tissue made of collagen to help reseal itself.

Collagen plays many important roles throughout your body, including plumping up your skin and helping your cartilage protect your joints. When a scar develops, collagen fibers repair damaged skin and close any open areas. The new tissue protects you from infection.

Diagnosis and Tests

How are scars diagnosed?

You can easily diagnose most scars yourself by keeping an eye on an area of skin that has healed from an injury. Scars often look darker, lighter or pinker than the surrounding skin.

Your healthcare provider will do a physical examination to evaluate a scar that’s causing problems. Your provider will look at the scar’s size, texture and color to determine its type. Treatments vary depending on the type of scar, its location, what caused it and how long you’ve had it.

Management and Treatment

Can scars be treated?

Several treatments can make scars smaller or less noticeable. Your healthcare provider may recommend one treatment or a combination. Scar treatment depends on several factors, including:

• Type, size and location of the scar.
• Whether the scar is causing you pain or affecting your ability to move.
• Your age and the age of the scar.

What are the treatments for scars?

Treatments can reduce a scar’s size or appearance, but the scar will never completely go away. Some treatments prevent a scar from forming as a wound heals. Scar treatments include:

• Dermabrasion: A common acne scar treatment, dermabrasion removes the top layer of skin by gently “sanding” the skin. The procedure softens and smooths the skin and can improve the appearance of scars.
• Injections: Your healthcare provider injects medication directly into the scar, making it smaller and flatter. Corticosteroid injections can reduce the size of keloid scars. Your healthcare provider may inject drugs that treat cancer, such as bleomycin (Bleo 15k™) and fluorouracil (Adrucil® or 5-FU), to flatten scars and reduce itching and pain.
• Laser treatments: Several types of laser and light treatments can make scars (including acne scars) less noticeable. Laser treatments use a particular wavelength of light to cause a particular action in the skin. The V beam is a pulsed dye laser at 595 nm (nanometers) that targets small blood vessels in the skin. Sometimes the scars remain pink or red because the new blood vessels that developed to heal the wound never receded once their job was done. This laser can cauterize the small vessels from the inside out to remove them from the scar and allow the pink or red color to fade. This action may also help the scar flatten if it’s too thick or thicken if it is too thin. Other lasers (such as the Fraxel laser) can vaporize small columns of tissue within the scar to break up the collagen fibers and allow the scar to remodel and become more flexible. The treatments can also help with pain, itching and sensitivity. Laser treatments may cause hyperpigmentation (skin darkening) or hypopigmentation (skin lightening) in people who have dark skin. Talk to your healthcare provider about side effects before starting treatments.
• Pressure therapy: An elastic bandage, dressing or stocking puts pressure on a wound during the healing process. The pressure prevents a scar from forming or decreases its size. Massage therapy can also help break up scar tissue and allow it to remodel.
• Scar-revision surgery: A range of surgical procedures can remove a scar, improve its appearance or transplant skin from another area (skin graft). This is an exchange of one type of scar for a different, more preferable scar.
• Topical creams and ointments: Applying silicone ointment to a scar may make it smaller or prevent it from forming. Or your healthcare provider may recommend applying corticosteroid cream or a silicone gel sheet to the area. If you have dark skin, ask your provider about using a skin-lightening cream with hydroquinone to lighten scars.

Prevention

Can I prevent scars?

Although you can’t always prevent injuries that cause scars, you can reduce the risk of a scar forming after an injury. If a scar does develop, careful care can make the scar less noticeable.

To reduce the risk of scarring, you should:

• See your healthcare provider: If you have a wound that may leave a scar, visit your provider for an examination. You may need stitches or special bandages to hold the skin together while it heals. Stitches can minimize scarring. Be sure to follow your provider’s instructions when caring for stitches. Depending on the type and location of the wound you may need oral or topical antibiotics to prevent infection.
• Clean the wound: Wash the area with soap and water. Clean out any dirt or dried blood, and apply a bandage over the wound to keep germs out. Be sure to change the bandage often as the wound heals.
• Keep the wound moist: Applying petroleum jelly or moist burn pads will keep the wound from becoming too dry and developing a scab. Scabs can make scarring worse.
• Protect it from the sun: Cover the scar or use sunscreen to protect it. Sun exposure can make a scar darker. Repeated exposure increases the risk of developing skin cancer.
• Keep up your nutrition: Having low levels of vitamin D or C in your system can make scarring worse and you need adequate high quality protein in your diet to help your skin make what is needed to heal.

Outlook / Prognosis

Do scars fade, shrink or become less noticeable over time?

Most scars fade over time and don’t cause long-term health problems. How a scar changes depends on its location, size and type. A scar may fade so much that you can barely see it, but it never completely goes away.

Some scars cause problems months or years later. As nerve endings grow back, the scar may become painful or itchy. Skin cancer can develop in scars, especially in burn scars. To avoid skin cancer, wear sunscreen or keep your scar covered.

Living With

When should I see my healthcare provider about a scar?

If a scar’s appearance bothers you, talk to your provider about procedures that can make it less noticeable. Also see your provider if the scar changes or is painful, tender, itchy or infected. And if you notice a mole, freckle or growth on or near the scar, call your provider right away. This may be a sign of skin cancer, which can grow in a scar.

If you’ve had a keloid scar, you’re more likely to develop another one. Talk to your provider before getting piercings, tattoos or elective surgery (such as cosmetic surgery). Your provider will recommend precautions (like wearing a pressure garment) if skin starts to thicken and turn into a keloid.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

See your healthcare provider if you’re unhappy with how a scar looks. You may not have to live with a scar that bothers you. Several effective treatments can make scars flatter or less noticeable. After treatment, you may not even notice the scar at all. If a scar is causing discomfort or making it difficult for you to move, call your healthcare provider. Treatments can improve movement and relieve pain. Always protect scars from the sun to reduce your risk of skin cancer.

4 Scar Care Dos and Don’ts

Patients with cuts and scrapes likely have questions about how to prevent or reduce the appearance of scars.

Scarring is part of the skin’s natural healing process and occurs in 3 steps: inflammation, tissue formation, and remodeling. Fibroblasts proliferate in the wound and produce collagen, which fills and closes the wound in a disorganized manner.

Because most patients want to minimize their scars, especially when they’re located in a conspicuous place, here are some dos and don’ts in caring for wounds and scars:

1. Do avoid the sun during the healing process

Keeping the scar out of the sun as it forms can help patients decrease the likelihood of red or brown discoloration. Clinicians can counsel patients to use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and to reapply it frequently to protect against dark scarring.

2. Don’t pick at scabs

Patients may pick their scabs because of itchiness, but removing a scab while a wound is healing will slow down the healing process and also increase the likelihood of hyperpigmentation in the scar.

The body starts healing the wound immediately after it’s incurred. White blood cells attack infection-causing bacteria while red blood cells, fibrin, and platelets create a clot to cover the wound—thus creating the scab.

Removing the scab can create a larger wound area and thus a larger scar.

3. Do keep the affected area moist

Clinicians can advise patients to apply petroleum jelly or antibiotic cream to the wounded area and cover it with a non-stick bandage. This may also hasten the healing process.

Contrary to what many patients believe, using hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound too often could cause continual irritation and slow the healing process, which will increase scarring.

4. Do use OTC creams (but don’t be disappointed if they don’t fully work)

Although no scar can be completely eliminated, clinicians can help patients properly treat the injury to reduce a scar’s appearance. Patients have several OTC options to try and minimize the appearance of a scar.

Aloe vera gel is used topically to promote wound and burn healing and to reduce pain and inflammation. Mederma, Scar Zone Topical Scar Diminishing Cream, and New-Skin Scar Fade Topical Gel are alsononprescription scar treatment products.

Patients should keep in mind that although many OTC products claim to work because they contain vitamin E or cocoa butter, there’s very little hard data to substantiate that claim.

90,000 TOP-6 ways to make a scar less visible

Some scars can be destroyed by exposure to low temperatures. The applicator is immersed in liquid nitrogen and then applied several times to the scar area to deeply cool the tissues. A few days after the procedure, a crust forms at the treatment site, the delicate skin under which heals, and the scar becomes less noticeable. Not always the result can be obtained after the first procedure, sometimes you need to visit a specialist 2-3 times.

Laser technologies

Laser correction of scar tissue is now very important. A laser beam is applied to the scar, which destroys the upper layer of the epidermis. After that, new, healthy skin is formed in this place. Laser scar removal improves blood circulation, renews cells and stimulates collagen production. After laser treatment of a skin area, it is recommended not to expose the area to sunlight for several days.

Drug treatment

Shallow, fresh scars can be made less noticeable with special ointments and creams, some of which are also suitable for more difficult cases.The product is applied directly to the scar. Special ingredients soften and squeeze damaged tissues, improve blood circulation and smooth the skin. Before choosing an ointment, you should consult with a specialist. You can buy the necessary ointment at Stolichki pharmacies.

Filling

The appearance of atrophic scars, which are slightly buried in the skin, can be improved by leveling them with the surface of the body. To do this, it is necessary to add the required volume to the scar area using collagen injections and preparations with hyaluronic acid, as well as injecting adipose tissue from other areas of the patient’s body.The effect of this procedure is temporary: the drug gradually dissolves, so the filling must be repeated.

Acid peeling

In order to remove small scars, acid peels can be used. They do not penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, therefore, if done correctly, they do not have negative consequences. During the procedure, the beautician applies special products that have an exfoliating effect. If you regularly exfoliate the skin, the scar will gradually disappear, and new healthy cells will replace it.

Surgical treatment

The most radical method of removing scars is surgery. This method is suitable for removing all scars, except for keloids. Narrow scars are easily removed and a special cosmetic suture is applied in their place to avoid ugly marks. For more complex, extensive cases, skin grafting techniques are used.

How to remove scars – Lifehacker

Where do scars come from

All scars start the same way.I cut myself, hit a nail, hit a sharp edge, burned myself badly – in general, one way or another severely injured my skin. In response, the body launched an emergency regeneration process ^{. In general terms, it looks like this.}

First, blood flows from the wound (in case of a burn – ichor). Then the blood thickens. Its upper part becomes hard – this is how a crust forms, which protects the wound from infections.

Under the crust, fibroblast cells begin to actively develop. Their task is to quickly replace damaged skin with new, so-called scar tissue.

Scar tissue is not much different from normal skin. Like the epidermis, it is composed almost entirely of collagen protein. And in theory, it should completely repeat the usual skin. But in practice, everything is not quite so: the resulting scar has a different color and a different, denser structure than the surrounding skin.

The reason for this was explained back in 1998 by mathematicians from the University of Warwick (UK). Scientists have found 90,031 that in normal skin, collagen fibers are intertwined in a criss-cross pattern, which creates the structure of the epidermis as in the photo below.

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But in scar tissue, collagen fibers are always parallel to each other. This gives the scar a completely different structure, unlike the usual epidermis.

curetoday.com

Why wounds heal in this way is also understandable. It takes time to create a weave of collagen fibers. But, since the risk of infection is high with an open wound, this time is not. The body fills the damaged area with “rectilinear” scar tissue as quickly as possible.

The larger the injury, the more scar tissue will form and the more visible the scar will be. That is why doctors try to put stitches on large incisions: the smaller the distance between the edges of the wound, the smaller the crust will be, and therefore the scar formed under it.

By itself, the scar tissue will not change its structure and will not turn into normal skin.

How to remove scars at home

It all comes down to removing (at least partially) the scar tissue, replacing it with normal skin.How to do this is best decided in conjunction with a dermatologist. A specialist will assess the age, scale, depth, location of your scar and suggest the most effective option.

However, if the scar is small and shallow, you can try to fight it with home methods. To do this, there are various over-the-counter creams, ointments and gels. They contain substances that soften or “dissolve” the damaged upper layer of the epidermis and partially smoothen the skin surface, making the scar less visible.

1. Anti-scar silicone gels and creams

The beauty of these products is that they can be bought at any pharmacy. Several studies of ^{in the last 20 years have confirmed that silicone-based ointments and lotions reduce scarring.}

2. Products based on onion extract

Ordinary onion juice is also suitable. So, one of the studies proved ^{: the use of a gel based on onion extract for 4 weeks promotes skin renewal and makes scars less pronounced.}

Sometimes it is recommended to wipe scars with honey, olive oil, aloe juice. However, there is no scientific evidence that these agents can reduce scarring.

3. Home chemical peels

In particular, we are talking about products with glycolic acid ^{or a combination of salicylic acid and mandelic acid .}

It is also possible to wipe the scar with a pharmacy salicylic acid-based lotion – thus, which is often prescribed in the fight against juvenile acne.

How to remove scars if home remedies do not help

There are no options here: if you want to return your skin smoothness – contact a dermatologist or cosmetologist. Depending on the magnitude of the problem, the physician will offer you one of the hardware or even surgical methods of ^{treatment. Here are the most popular ones.}

1. Professional chemical peelings

These are products with a high concentration of acids that dissolve the damaged upper layer of the epidermis.In order to form not a new scar at the site of the removed scar, but normal young skin, certain care and adherence to the rules of the recovery period will be required.

Note: Only a specialist can prescribe and apply professional acid peels!

2. Dermabrasion

This is the name of mechanical skin resurfacing with a special device with a rotating circular nozzle (cutter). This helps to even out superficial scars and make them less visible.

The procedure is quite traumatic, and the skin from which the top layer was removed will require rehabilitation.But after this intervention, a young and delicate epidermis of normal structure will appear at the site of the scar.

3. Injections

Depending on whether your scar looks like hypertrophic (convex) or atrophic (concave), your doctor may prescribe injections.

In case of atrophic scars, fillers are injected under the skin – preparations based on collagen, hyaluronic acid, fat or other substances selected specifically for you. Fillers fill in depressed scars, smoothing the surface of the skin.Their main disadvantage is that they are removed after 6-18 months, so the procedure will have to be repeated.

If the scar, on the other hand, is convex, the doctor will prescribe injections of products with a resorption effect. The most commonly used drugs for these purposes are corticosteroids, chemotherapy drugs fluorouracil (5-FU), and interferons. Such injections are carried out in courses, and the beautician prescribes the number of sessions and the interval between them.

4. Surgical removal of the scar

This is an extreme method.They resort to it if none of the above methods worked, and the scars poison their owner’s life (for example, being a serious cosmetic defect).

The surgeon will remove the damaged area of ​​the skin and, if the scar was not wide, will apply a cosmetic suture. After resorption of the threads, a scar will also remain, but much thinner and almost invisible.

For large scars, plastic is required: the doctor will transplant a skin flap from another part of the patient’s body to the place of the remote area of ​​the epidermis.

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Scientists have found a way to heal wounds without leaving scars

The formation of a scar at the site of a healing wound can be prevented by stimulating the growth of hair follicles, scientists have found. This causes the formation of fat cells, allowing the skin to regenerate. In addition, this technology is able to eliminate deep wrinkles and prevent the loss of fat cells during therapy in HIV-infected people.

Surgical operations, accidents, careless shaving – all these lead to the formation of scars on the skin. And not all of them dissolve over time. Scars (or scars) are formed from connective tissue. It consists mainly of collagen and does not contain fat cells, sweat glands and hair follicles, is sensitive to ultraviolet radiation and can darken from cold.

There are various methods of getting rid of scars: from folk, like treating a scar with honey, lemon or onion juice and various oils, to professional.A scar can be removed surgically by cutting it out and gently healing the edges of the wound or by grafting healthy skin in its place, or remove the scar tissue using dermabrasion – scraping the skin with a special brush. Some scars can be made less noticeable by injecting fats or collagen under the skin.

A group of scientists from the United States has found a way to nip the problem at the root and prevent the appearance of scars altogether.

They described the study in an article published in the journal Science .

“We can manage wound healing so that skin regenerates rather than scar formation,” explains dermatologist George Cotsarelis, head of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. – The secret is to regenerate the hair follicles first. After that, in response to the work of the follicles, it regenerates the subcutaneous fat layer. ”

With superficial skin lesions, adipocytes are formed – cells of adipose tissue. Thanks to them, cuts and scratches grow together without leaving any marks.But with more serious damage, myofibroblasts come into play. They tighten the edges of the wound, but the formed scar does not contain fat cells, which is why it does not dissolve. Aging skin behaves in a similar way: with age, adipocytes become smaller, which leads to discoloration of the skin and the appearance of deep wrinkles.

But, as scientists found out,

Myofibroblasts can be turned into adipocytes, which means that healed tissue – into regenerated skin.

Previously it was believed that this is possible only in fish and amphibians.

“These findings show that we have the ability to influence wound healing and induce skin regeneration instead of scar formation,” says Maxim Plikus of the University of California, Irvine.

Previous studies have shown that fat cells and hair follicles are formed separately in regenerating skin, but not independently of each other. In addition, hair follicles always develop first.

Assuming that follicular growth appears to influence the formation of fat cells in regenerating skin, the researchers decided to induce follicular growth in the developing scar in specially bred transgenic mice and in laboratory-grown human skin samples.It turned out that

follicles trigger the production of signaling bone morphogenetic proteins – growth factors used in regenerative medicine.

These proteins also promote the conversion of myofibroblasts into adipocytes.

If the growth of hair follicles is caused during wound healing, the resulting skin will be indistinguishable from what it was before after healing is complete.

“It was believed that myofibroblasts could not be transformed into other cell types,” says Kotsarelis.”But our work shows that we can influence these cells and they are able to efficiently and stably convert into adipocytes.”

Although the work is still experimental and requires testing on living people, scientists have found that myofibroblasts can be converted into adipocytes – previously considered impossible for mammals. If the results are confirmed in human trials, it could lead to the emergence of fundamentally new methods of wound treatment.

September 25 13:43

Increasing the number of fat cells in tissues may find other uses as well.Thus, the loss of adipocytes is an integral companion of HIV therapy, and so far there is no effective way to combat it. In addition,

an increase in the number of adipocytes can get rid of wrinkles that cannot be dealt with with the help of existing cosmetic methods.

“Our findings are potentially pushing us to regenerate adipocytes in wrinkled skin, which could lead us to fundamentally new ways to combat aging,” notes Kotsarelis.Next, he is going to concentrate on studying the mechanisms that ensure skin regeneration, especially through the regeneration of hair follicles.

Plikus will deal with other aspects of reprogramming cells in skin wounds. The researchers will study the role of other signaling proteins and engage in further experiments on human cells and scar tissue.

What to do to make a wound heal without a scar – Rambler / news

The ancient Greek philosopher Plutarch called scars “letters depicting the perfection and virtue of courage.”In ancient Rome, battle scars were considered an attribute of high status, but smooth skin indicated cowardice. Oddly enough, in some parts of the world, scars determine the attractiveness of not only men, but also women. So, in East Africa, the fairer sex deliberately inflict wounds on themselves in order to emphasize their sexuality.

In our tradition, scars are considered less aesthetic and in most cases they cause severe psychological discomfort to their owners, but especially to the owners.

Why is there a scar?

It doesn’t take much effort to acquire this “virtue of courage.” Scars can remain even from minor household injuries, which occur quite often in everyday life.

A scar, or scar, is the body’s response to damage to the skin as a result of injury from a burn, cut, puncture or scratch. At first, the place around the wound becomes inflamed, swollen and reddened, and the surface of the skin becomes covered with a crust, under which new tissue is formed.To restore the integrity of the damaged area, the body begins to produce a large amount of connective tissue, consisting of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans, the largest of which is hyaluronic acid.

At first, the scar stands out strongly against the background of healthy skin due to the large number of blood vessels. But gradually the scar turns pale, since capillaries are often absent in the mature connective tissue. As a rule, the final formation of the scar and its appearance is completed in about 12 months.

Even if the injury was minor, the remaining scar, especially in open areas of the body, can subsequently cause a lot of psychological problems, up to serious complexes.

Innovation in the care of scars

To prevent the wound from leaving an ugly mark, care should be taken to prevent a cosmetic defect even at the stage of its formation. Currently, an innovative cream “Imoferase” has been developed, which contains a highly effective molecule – the immobilized enzyme hyaluronidase.

Hyaluronidase in the composition of “Imoferase” acts directly on the basis of the scar – connective tissue: increases tissue permeability, improves moisture balance in the scar area, softens it and prevents the formation of new ones, relieves redness, peeling and itching, reduces swelling. As a result, the appearance of the scar improves: the relief is smoothed, the feeling of tightness and discomfort disappears, redness, dryness, itching, burning, and pain disappear.

How and when to use Imoferase cream

Imoferase cream is recommended for skin care in the area of ​​the scar.In order to reduce the formation of a rough scar, it is necessary to start using the cream as soon as possible after the wound has healed (usually this happens 2-3 weeks after the injury, when the wound has already “healed”). It is easy and convenient to use the cream: it is quickly absorbed, odorless and does not leave marks on the skin. There is no need to pre-prepare the skin for application or wait for the product to be absorbed and dry. By the way, the cream can also be used to improve the appearance of old scars, in order to reduce its area, even out the color and make it more elastic, and as a result – less noticeable.

7 ways to get rid of scars and marks on the skin. Their pros and cons | Beauty Secrets | Health

Scars can result from any trauma to the skin – burns, cuts, surgery and even a pimple. Fortunately, today there are a huge number of methods to get rid of them. However, first you have to understand what kind of scar is lurking on the skin. Indeed, due to a number of factors (individual reaction of the body, the depth of damage, etc.)they are not the same – scars vary in appearance. For example, normotrophic scars are whitish, flat and do not change the topography of the skin. Atrophic – flabby, located below the surrounding tissues. In contrast, hypertrophic scars protrude above the surface of the skin and are usually pink in color. Keloids, as a rule, bulge strongly: they are clearly delineated, elastic, with an uneven surface. They differ from the rest of the scars by their ability to constantly grow, as a result of which the volume of the scar can be several times the size of the wound.

Cryodestruction: fast freezing

You may be surprised, but some scars – keloid and hypertrophic – can be frozen. This method is called “cryodestruction”. The procedure is as follows. A special applicator is moistened in a coolant (usually liquid nitrogen is used) and pressed several times against the rumen until icy drizzle forms around it. The freezing and thawing phases are very painful, so the operation is performed under anesthesia. After deep cooling, the treated skin area swells greatly, becomes wet and looks like a burn bladder.After a few days, it becomes covered with a dry crust, which in most cases disappears after a week. In place of the scab, a pink scar remains, which eventually becomes almost invisible.

To achieve the maximum cosmetic effect, ice treatments often have to be repeated 2-3 times.

Filling: additional volume

Atrophic scars, as if drowning in the skin, can be filled with collagen, adipose tissue taken from other areas of the body, or special preparations with hyaluronic acid, which are used to increase the volume of lips, cheekbones, cheeks, chin.After local anesthesia, several subcutaneous microinjections are made into the area of ​​the scar, and it is instantly pulled up to the level of nearby tissues. Unfortunately, the cosmetic effect does not last long. None of the “fillers” can permanently get rid of a scar. They only fill the voids in the skin for a while, and then they are absorbed and excreted from the body.

On average, the result of collagen injections lasts for 3-6 months. Gels with hyaluronic acid last from 6 months to a year, and adipose tissue – from six months to one and a half years.After the product has resolved, the procedure can be repeated.

Dermabrasion: erase at the root

In the fight against hypertrophic scars that have taken root in the deep layers of the dermis, the dermabrasion method is used. With special rotating brushes, or cutters, the specialist grinds the scar tissue. There is little pleasant in this procedure, so it is carried out under anesthesia. If you are afraid of the sight of blood, it is better to close your eyes. Scarlet spots will certainly appear, because the specialist will remove not only the epidermis, but also the upper layer of the dermis.Fortunately, it does not take long to “bleed”. It stops after 10-30 minutes. Over time, a scab appears on the site of the worn out skin, which disappears after a week. After that, the scar becomes almost invisible. Until the crust forms, the wound needs to be looked after so as not to infect the infection. You may need to make bandages. The most unpleasant moment of dermabrasion is that it can aggravate a visible skin defect.

Keep in mind: if the scar is wider at the base, then after the procedure it will become more pronounced.

Microdermabrasion: delicate grinding

Microdermabrasion can be an alternative to dermabrasion – a more gentle procedure. But with its help, it is possible to change the appearance of only those scars that have appeared as a result of injuries affecting the upper layer of the skin, for example, shallow atrophic or normotrophic ones. In this case, alumina powder is used as the exfoliating particles. A stream of crystals is directed to the scar zone, which polish the surface layers of the epidermis.The process takes place so rapidly that it does not even have time to deliver unpleasant sensations. But this is not the only positive point. With such grinding, the risk of earning a bacterial infection is minimized, since all materials are disposable. In addition, abrasive particles are often used in combination with oxygen, which has an antibacterial effect and promotes rapid skin regeneration. To obtain the best result, a course of procedures will be required, which makes sense to carry out in 7-10 days, during which time a new layer of skin is formed.

Be prepared for unforeseen expenses. Most likely, you will have to spend money on needleless mesotherapy sessions using anti-scar serums. But an integrated approach provides a truly magical result.

Laser: release steam

The skin is 70% water – this feature allows you to correct scars using lasers. In the treated area, the temperature rises to several hundred degrees, and the heated layer of skin instantly turns into steam.In this case, you cannot do without preliminary anesthesia. Erbium and CO2 lasers are widely used in the fight against scars. When resurfacing with the latter, the epidermis is removed almost to the entire depth and the dermis heats up, as a result of which an active synthesis of collagen occurs. Erbium works more delicately. It penetrates only one thousandth of a millimeter and polishes the surface layers of the epidermis without thermal damage to the surrounding tissues. In this case, the thermal effect does not extend to the dermis, and therefore, collagen is not synthesized so actively.

There is no consensus among experts as to which of the lasers is preferable. Some believe that CO2 has a better effect on deep hypertrophic and atrophic scars, while others note that after erbium resurfacing, the skin heals faster and fewer complications are observed. In any case, these procedures are non-contact, so the wound is sterile.

Peeling: acid movement

Surface peeling with glycolic acid is used to correct small normotrophic and atrophic scars.It works at the level of the epidermis. Gently penetrates the skin without injuring it, and exfoliates keratinized scales. As a result, old cells are destroyed, and young ones begin to work actively, creating new tissue. In the fight against deep scars, medium and deep peels with trichloroacetic or phenolic acid are necessary. They dissolve the epidermis and cause necrosis of the surface layers of the dermis. The skin in the treated area darkens and becomes crusty. Then comes the healing phase. The restorative mechanisms of cell life are triggered, enhanced collagen synthesis occurs, as a result of which the scar depth decreases.

To achieve the maximum effect, experts recommend several mid-peelings with an interval of 1-3 months. But, before doing this, it is necessary to undergo a course of superficial peels, which will adjust the skin for the procedure.

Surgical: go under the knife

One of the radical ways to deal with scars is to visit a surgeon. This method is suitable for the correction of all types of scars except keloids. The latter often give relapses. If the scar is not wide, it can be excised and an intradermal cosmetic suture applied.As a result, only a barely noticeable thread-like mark will remain from the scar. Scars of impressive size are eliminated with the help of plastic surgery with skin grafts. The damaged area is excised and a skin flap taken from the healthy area of ​​the patient is placed in its place.

As an alternative method, operations are performed with silicone bags or tissue expanders. Such a structure is sewn under the skin next to the scar and periodically added to it with sterile saline to increase the volume.The pouch grows, and the skin stretches with it. When a sufficient surplus of healthy tissue is formed, the slipper is removed, the scar is excised, and the edges of the skin are sutured.

Expert opinion

Ekaterina Pozdeeva, Director of Clinical Work, Linline Laser Medicine Clinics Network:

– It is difficult to say when is optimal for scar correction. Some experts believe that it is necessary to remove the scar no later than a month from the moment of injury. Others are sure that it is possible to effectively fight only with formed scars, which are more than a year old.At the same time, both sides are unanimous in the opinion that much depends on the localization of the wound, the blood supply in its walls, the nature of the damage, its extent and characteristics of the patient: age, heredity, tissue immunity.

See also:

Kontraktubeks for children | How to effectively remove a scar from a child

Childhood is a time for active cognition of the world around, and children with great enthusiasm discover new horizons for themselves. Unfortunately, sometimes the consequences of these discoveries are trauma, wounds, abrasions, cuts and burns.And many of them leave scars that can forever remain on a child’s face or body.

According to the Ministry of Health and the Federal State Statistics Service, child injuries in Russia account for more than 3 million cases per year. Of these, the share of domestic and street injuries accounts for 82.3% of cases.
And 57.3% are superficial injuries, open wounds, blood vessel injuries, thermal and chemical burns [1].
It is very important to educate children about the consequences of actions that can lead to injury.But if the trouble has already happened, the wound has healed, and the child has a scar, you should not think that this is irreparable.
There are treatments and treatments that can help heal scars. The drug No. 1 for the treatment of scars is approved for use in children – Contractubex, which has a triple active effect against scars, making them soft, smooth, less noticeable. Contractubex is available in 2 forms: gel and patch.

Application of Contractubex gel

Gel Contractubex is approved for use from 1 year.

Kontraktubex gel is the number 1 drug for the treatment of scars in Russia *, which has a triple active effect against scars:

• prevent excess scar tissue formation

• Reduce redness, itching, tension

• help smooth out the scar.

Method of administration of Kontraktubex gel for children, as well as for adults, depends on the stage of wound healing:

• For fresh scars .2-3 times a day with light pressure, rub a small amount of the product into the scar tissue for at least 4 weeks.

• For old scars . Apply 2-3 times a day with massaging movements. It is also possible to combine treatment with procedures and dressings for the treatment of old scars. In this case, the duration of treatment will be from 3 to 6 months. To enhance the effect, it is possible to apply Contractubex gel to previously steamed skin areas.

For a positive outcome of treatment, one important condition must be observed.The use of Contractubex gel should be systematic. If you follow the instructions, the result will not be long in coming. After all, the regenerating capacity of the skin in children is much higher than in adults. This is due to the increased myotic activity of keracinocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. In the lower germ layer, skin cells divide at an accelerated rate [2]. Therefore, in many cases, with small scars in a child and with proper treatment with Contractubex gel, you can count on an excellent result.

The product is easy to apply, quickly absorbed, does not stain clothes, its use will not cause discomfort to the child.

1. Children’s injuries in Russia, Research of the SOGAZ Insurance Group, press release dated 27.08.2015.
2. Gorlanov I.A. Pediatric dermatovenerology. M .: Academy. 2012. 352 s.

90,000 Injury – yes, scar – no: practical advice on how to care for wounds without aesthetic consequences

Gardening, grilling, outdoor activities are just some of the summer activities during which there is a risk of various domestic injuries, such as cut wounds or first-degree burns.So that old wounds do not later remind of themselves, it is important to ensure that they are properly cleansed and cared for. Apotheka pharmacist Alina Fleishmane explains in more detail what contributes to the formation of scars and how to properly care for wounds so that they do not leave marks.

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“Scars can remain from cuts, burns and bites.Most often, they form if the skin has been cut or damaged in some other way, for example, when falling from a bicycle onto the asphalt, abrasions, scratches, and sometimes deeper cuts appear on the skin. Cut wounds heal very well – provided they are cleaned and properly cared for, “explains the pharmacist.

Protruding and sinking scars

When the skin is wounded, the body tries to repair the damage naturally. the body will cope with the damage, depending on the depth of the wound.

If only the top layer of the skin has been damaged, new skin will form as the wound heals.

If the wound has affected the deeper layers, then tissues are formed that are denser in structure than the skin – these tissues become scars.

Fresh scars are pink to reddish in color, but over time they brighten or, conversely, darken.

Sometimes too much extra tissue is formed, in which case the scar may rise above the level of the skin and be larger than the wound itself – scars of this type are called keloid.

In turn, depressions at the site of wounds appear when inflammation has destroyed collagen in the skin – usually such scars remain after acne or chickenpox.

In case of inflammation, the likelihood of scar formation is higher than

To understand the peculiarities of scar formation, it is necessary to know how the wound healing process proceeds, in which there are three phases.

During the inflammatory phase, the blood supply is interrupted, the cells cleanse the wound from harmful microorganisms and the remnants of dead tissue.At this stage, redness, swelling, fever, and pain are observed. The more intense the inflammation, the higher the likelihood of scar formation.

During the phase of formation of new cells, or proliferation, granulation tissues randomly fill the wound bed, and in parallel, epithelialization occurs in the direction from the edges of the wound to its center, that is, the epithelial cells gradually form the upper layer. You can see that the edges of the crust gradually move to the center of the wound, leaving behind new skin – at this stage, type 3 collagen is in the scar tissue.

In turn, at the stage of restructuring, type 1 collagen is formed from type 3 collagen. Collagen type 3 has a reticular structure and gives new fibers strength, while type 1 collagen has a fibrous structure.

How to avoid scarring

1. Even small wounds can bleed profusely, so the first step is to stop the bleeding by pressing firmly on the injury site and holding it for at least ten seconds.A pressure bandage can also be used to stop bleeding.

2. The wound must be clean, because various bacteria on the exposed skin can cause infection and increase the healing time. To avoid this, it is necessary to treat the wound with special disinfectants for wounds, and treat the areas surrounding the wound with an alcohol solution or 5% alcohol solution of iodine.

3. To prevent foreign bodies from getting into a clean wound, it must be closed: small abrasions can be sealed with a plaster, and larger ones – with a sterile gauze bandage.It is important that the entire wound is covered.

4. The wound should be regularly looked after until it is completely healed. If desired, you can use a variety of ointments and gels, for example, dexpanthenol or herbal products that accelerate healing. Disinfectants should not be reused unnecessarily: they interfere with the healing process. As the wound heals, it dries up, a crust forms on its surface, which in no case should be combed or peeled off, because in this case the wound will be opened again, the healing process will begin again, and there is a high risk of scar formation.

Burns can also leave scars

First degree burns are quite common and usually occur through carelessness, for example, if a person accidentally touches a hot grill. However, it is important to know what to do to avoid scarring. First of all, cool the burned area, for example, under cold tap water or using a cold compress. This should be done for at least ten minutes, or until the pain subsides.In no case should the place of the burn be treated with oily creams, butter or sour cream, as they clog the pores and create a favorable environment for various microorganisms. Instead, opt for specialty burn products available at pharmacies or a burn bandage.

Healed wound must be protected from the sun

When a wound of any kind has healed before being exposed to the sun, it must be lubricated with sunscreen so that it will not turn red or brown and will brighten faster.The resulting scar should be treated as soon as possible with a special agent offered in pharmacies, which provides the tissues with vitamin C and thereby promotes the synthesis of collagen in the tissues and the alignment of scars. To make the result look aesthetically pleasing, the product must be used for a long time – several months, twice a day.

Treat deep cuts and animal bites to a doctor.

“Some wounds need special care, not everything can be treated at home.It is imperative to go to the doctor if you have received a deep wound that continues to bleed, as there may be various bacteria in such a wound, or if you have been bitten by an animal – the treatment of the bite wound must be entrusted to a professional.