Everyday Cuts and Scrapes: How to Prevent Scarring

Ouch! Gardening, food preparation, sports and leisure activities, and life in general can result in occasional minor skin injuries. But scarring doesn’t have to be part of the picture. You can take steps to avoid ending up with a permanent reminder of your mishap — if you know what to do.

Proper treatment of all skin injuries is essential to avoiding scars, says Scott Hultman, M.D., M.B.A., a plastic surgeon who is the director of Johns Hopkins’ Burn Center and part of the Scar Revision Clinic team.

Hultman says, “Scarring can come from cuts — these are the most common injuries. But scrapes and burns can leave scars as well. Scars are more likely in injuries where the skin is not just cut but also crushed or otherwise damaged. Clean cuts can heal very well if they’re washed out and treated to avoid infection.”

If there’s no loss or destruction of skin and tissue, Hultman notes, “Stitches can be a great idea, since health care professionals are good at lining up skin borders, which can minimize scarring “

How Scars Happen

To understand how scars form and how to avoid them, it’s helpful to
understand your skin’s healing process. When you get a cut, scrape or burn,
your body immediately responds with a series of steps to heal itself:

1. The first stage is hemostasis. The body prevents blood loss by
   sending platelets to the site, which bind together and seal the wound,
   forming a scab.
2. Next comes inflammation. White blood cells arrive at the area
   to fight off bacteria. You may notice redness, swelling, heat and pain.
   This is a natural part of the healing process and resolves on its own
   unless infection takes over. More inflammation in the healing process can
   mean a greater chance of scarring.
3. Proliferation is the next step. This is when the skin and
   vessels create new cells. As proliferation continues, you’ll see the edges
   of the scab shrink toward the middle, leaving new skin behind.
4. Finally, maturation occurs. The wound is healed, and
   there may be a scar in its place.

Scar Treatments

Once as scar has formed, are you stuck with it? Not necessarily. Plastic and reconstructive surgeons can do a lot to minimize scars and help you feel better about your appearance. Bonus: Some of these treatments can also address itching and pain associated with severe scars.

Here are some of the therapies available. You may need multiple or repeated treatments to get the results you and your doctor want.

• Topical treatments: medicated gels and creams, sometimes used with compression bandages to help flatten scars
• Injections: to fill scars that appear as “dents”  or hollowed-out areas in the skin
• Skin smoothing procedures such as dermabrasion and chemical peels
• Laser therapy, which can flatten and soften scars and address abnormal skin coloration
• Bleaching for discolored areas
• Surgical removal of the scar

For the best chance of getting the results you want, choose a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with experience in minimizing scars, and be clear about what you hope to accomplish from the treatment.

Learn More from Scott Hultman

If you have a scar — large or small — or even an old one, there are more possibilities than ever before for minimizing its appearance.

How to Prevent Scarring – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

From kitchen mishaps to skinned knees to surgical incisions, we all have scars with stories behind them — but most of us would rather our wounds heal without reminders of misfortunes past.

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We talked to dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, to find out what causes scarring and how to prevent a cut from turning into a scar.

What is a scar?

Scars come from the tearing of the dermis, our lower level of skin, which is rich in collagen — the elastic fibers that keep our skin springy (among other bodily benefits). Scarring can happen after any injury to the dermis.

“Think of our normal collagen like a basket weave, very nice and even,” Dr. Khetarpal explains. “When we get a scar or injury to our skin, it triggers a wound-healing response that can create just enough collagen, not quite enough, or a little bit extra. It’s always going to be different than the initial skin you had in that area.”

Our bodies lose collagen as we age, which means elderly people are more prone to scarring than children. And whether a wound is likely to scar may depend on what part of your body you’ve injured — and how much blood is circulating to it.

“Your face and scalp tend to heal the fastest because we have the most circulation there,” Dr. Khetarpal says, “but a cut on your foot, where circulation isn’t as good, could take weeks to heal.”

Types of scars

Ideal scarring is minimal and light, but scars can take a variety of forms:

• Atrophic scars: These indented scars, as from acne or chickenpox, happen when the skin can’t regenerate enough collagen to replace the original tissue.
• Hypertrophic scars: These scars are thick, raised and often reddish, appearing within the bounds of the original injury.
• Keloid scars: Keloid scars are thick, raised scars that extend beyond the original injury; they’re created when the skin makes too much collagen in trying to repair itself. Some people are genetically predisposed to keloid scars, and they’re more common among Black people than other populations.

The best way to prevent scarring

You’ve cut yourself. Now what? “We want to minimize inflammation or further trauma to the skin,” Dr. Khetarpal says. Here’s how to lessen your chances of scarring:

• Clean the wound. As soon as you’re injured, clean the affected area with soap and water to get rid of any bacteria and prevent infection.
• Keep it moist and covered. You might’ve grown up learning to keep cuts dry, but the opposite is true. “Keeping it moist is best to prevent a scar,” Dr. Khetarpal says. Use petroleum jelly on your wound, and bandage it up to let it heal.
• Avoid bacitracin. Resist the temptation to apply topical ointment, as 8% of people are actually allergic to it — which can further inflame the area and increase the likelihood of scarring.
• Minimize movement. “Every time the scar moves, it’s going to alter the formation for a wider or thicker scar,” Dr. Khetarapal says. Give your wound time to heal by not overexerting the injured area.
• Leave those scabs alone: Scabs are our skin’s natural bandages, so keep your fingers off of them and let them do their thing. Picking will only prolong your injury and keep it from healing. Think you’re picking at scabs in your sleep? Purchase a pair of cotton gloves to wear to bed.

In summary, Dr. Khetarapal says, “The bottom line is don’t let it crust up, keep it moist, keep it clean, keep it covered, and minimize tension.”

Do scar prevention creams work?

Silicone scar sheets might help improve prevent new scars, but only if you use them in the first few weeks after an injury. And there’s no need to apply special, designated creams to your scars, either, Dr. Khetarpal says.

Instead, it’s the act of massaging that cream — or any simple, bland moisturizer — into a scarred area that can have the most impact on healing.

“In the first year, it’s important and has been shown to be helpful to do a gentle massage on your scar for a few minutes a day,” she says. “It helps break up any scar tissue for ones that are getting thick.”  

The full scar remodeling process takes a year, during which time your scar may go through different phases of appearance: redder or darker, thicker or more textured. But once you hit the one-year mark, your scar is unlikely to change much on its own. 

“After you’re beyond the one-year phase, topical medicines aren’t going to do anything,” Dr. Khetarpal warns.

Seek early intervention

In the past, you might’ve been told to let a wound heal for a year and then seek medical intervention if you’re not happy with the result. But Dr. Khetarapal says that guidance has changed; now, doctors can influence a scar’s healing by getting involved sooner rather than later.

“If someone is concerned with a scar — say, they’ve had surgery or a major trauma — the earlier we intervene, the better,” she says. “We can actually influence how a scar heals versus waiting for it to heal and then trying to make it better.”

You can explore scar-minimization options as early as a week after your injury (or as soon as your stitches are removed, if you have them). In-office procedures such as lasering and microneedling — which trigger a controlled wound response — can reduce the appearance of scars by 50-60%.

“We can’t erase it, but we can improve it,” Dr. Khetarpal says.

How to Prevent Facial Scarring

When it comes to facial scarring, prevention is your best friend. There are three main types of scars: depressed or indented scars, discolored scars and thick or raised scars. While depressed, indented and raised scars are notoriously difficult to fade, getting a jump on minor abrasions, skin-deep punctures and discolored scars before they become permanent is key. A scar’s visibility ultimately depends on how well its wound has healed—to make sure small marks become nothing more than memories, encouraging a healthy healing process is absolutely essential.

Basic Prevention

A great many facial scars result from acne. When you have a breakout, don’t squeeze, pop, pick or otherwise irritate pimples at all, lest you cause permanent scarring. The same goes for scabs—they might not look nice, but they’re nature’s own wound dressing. Picking them prolongs the healing process and increases the chances of scarring. When popped pimples and skin-deep wounds do happen, disinfect them with a cotton swab dabbed in witch hazel—an antibacterial agent that won’t dry out the skin—and wash (but don’t scrub) them immediately with your favorite mild, non-drying facial cleanser.

Essential Moisturizing

If you already have a moisturizing routine in place to keep your skin supple, you’ll be glad to know that moisture is also paramount to healthy healing. When wounds dry out, they form scabs and are more likely to leave scars behind, so keep them moist with an oil-based moisturizer or ointment. Even plain-old petroleum jelly, or moisturizing products that feature it as a key ingredient, do the trick. Be sure to reapply the moisturizer after cleaning the wound daily with a facial cleanser.

Keep It Covered

Keep healing skin covered after you clean and moisturize it, to speed up the healing process and reduce the potential for scarring. Using a circular bandage or cutting a flesh-toned bandage down to size helps keep healing skin covered, while remaining fairly inconspicuous. Alternatively, you can turn to products such as hydrogel or silicone gel sheets. In any case, change the bandage or cover the wound every day after cleaning and moisturizing. If your skin is sensitive to adhesives, keep small marks covered with a nonstick bandage and a dab of petroleum jelly.

Protect and Massage

Once your wound has healed, continue to follow your regular moisturizing routine, and keep the mark covered with broad-spectrum sunscreen rated at SPF 30 or higher to prevent redness and discoloration. Each day, apply a bit of vitamin E oil to your fingertip and gently massage the scar for a few minutes. While vitamin E—contrary to popular belief—doesn’t actually fade scars, the oil does serve as a moisturizer and massaging the skin helps break down dense collagen bonds, minimizing the scar’s visibility over time.

This article has been reviewed by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Emmy Graber.

Proper Wound Care: How to Minimize a Scar – Dermatologist in Denver, CO

Whenever your skin is injured – whether by accident or from surgery – your body works to repair the wound. As your skin heals, a scar may form, as this is a natural part of the healing process.

The appearance of a scar often depends on how well the wound heals. While scars from surgery or over joints like the knees and elbows are hard to avoid, scars caused by minor cuts and scrapes can become less noticeable by properly treating the wound at home.

Here are dermatologists’ tips for reducing the appearance of scars caused by injuries such as skinned knees or deep scratches:

1. Always keep your cut, scrape or other skin injury clean. Gently wash the area with mild soap and water to keep out germs and remove debris.
2. To help the injured skin heal, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist. Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy. As long as the wound is cleaned daily, it is not necessary to use anti-bacterial ointments.
3. After cleaning the wound and applying petroleum jelly or a similar ointment, cover the skin with an adhesive bandage. For large scrapes, sores, burns or persistent redness, it may be helpful to use hydrogel or silicone gel sheets.
4. Change your bandage daily to keep the wound clean while it heals. If you have skin that is sensitive to adhesives, try a non-adhesive gauze pad with paper tape. If using silicone gel or hydrogel sheets, follow the instructions on the package for changing the sheets.
5. If your injury requires stitches, follow your doctor’s advice on how to care for the wound and when to get the stitches removed. This may help minimize the appearance of a scar.
6. Apply sunscreen to the wound after it has healed. Sun protection may help reduce red or brown discoloration and help the scar fade faster. Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF or 30 or higher and reapply frequently.

If you have minor cuts or scrapes, you can help reduce the appearance of a scar by properly treating the injury at home. However, if your injury is deep, very painful or if your skin becomes infected, seek immediate medical care.

Although no scar can be completely eliminated, most scars fade over time. If you’re worried about the appearance of a scar, see a board-certified dermatologist. A dermatologist can answer your questions and talk about ways to make your scar less visible.

© 2019 American Academy of Dermatology. All rights reserved. Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission. Use of these materials is subject to the legal notice and terms of use located at https://www.aad.org/about/legal

How to prevent and minimize scars

Seemingly permanent reminders of old wounds, scars form during the healing process to repair skin damage. If their presence bothers you, the good news is that a scar’s initial appearance is not set in stone. While they likely won’t disappear entirely, scars do naturally lighten over time.

There are several ways to get rid of scars, or at least accelerate the lightening process and significantly reduce their appearance. Here are some scar treatment and prevention methods you can try at home:

There are several ways to reduce the appearance of scars.

Make healthy choices

Good nutrition promotes proper health, and Verywell Health noted that protein is especially important for healing skin damage. Make sure you’re eating enough protein, as well as staying hydrated to minimize your scars. Added to that, avoid smoking, drinking alcohol and engaging in too much physical activity during the wound healing process to prevent scar development.

Apply soothing creams and gels

Aloe Vera is one of the best natural remedies for getting rid of scars. Healthline advised applying the gel directly to the scar using circular motions. Let the aloe sit for about 30 minutes, and then rinse it off with cool water. Repeat the process twice a day for the best results. You can also try applying a layer of honey to the scar and covering it with a bandage each night. Wash the honey off when you wake up in the morning and repeat each night until you achieve the desired results. For minor wounds, simply applying petroleum jelly can keep the wound bed moist and prevent scar development, a tip that registered nurse Rebecca Lee shared with Reader’s Digest.

Use sunscreen

Once your wound heals, the American Academy of Dermatology advised applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to the affected area regularly. Protecting the skin from the sun’s harsh rays can reduce discoloration and encourage the scarring to fade at a faster rate.

Practice proper wound care

Remember that while there are treatment options available, the best way to minimize scars is to avoid them in the first place.Take proper care of fresh wounds to restore the skin and prevent scarring. This includes keeping your cut, scrape, surgical incision or injury clean and moist, as well as covering the skin with dressings and replacing them with clean ones frequently.

Talk to your doctor about smartPAC by Advanced Tissue to get your wound care supplies delivered straight to your front door. With video tutorials and single-dose packaging, smartPAC makes it easy to practice proper wound care at home.

Scientists find new ways to prevent skin scarring — ScienceDaily

A new study in Burns & Trauma, published by Oxford University Press, reveals promising new strategies to prevent skin scarring after injuries.

While scars are common when wounds heal, hypertrophic scarring is a skin condition characterized by deposits of excessive amounts of collagen. This results in a thick and often raised scar. The underlying mechanisms of hypertrophic scar development are poorly understood, however. The Burns & Trauma paper reviewed strategies for treating hypertrophic scars.

Skin wound healing is a process that consists of three phases: inflammation, proliferation, and regeneration. Hypertrophic scar formation can occur as a result of an abnormality in these processes. The frequency of such scarring ranges from 40% to 94% following surgery and from 30% to 91% following a burn injury. In poorer countries, the incidence rate is greater reflecting the high rate of burn injuries.

Major risk factors for hypertrophic scar formation include gender, age, genetic predisposition, wound size and depth, anatomical site, and mechanical tension on the wound. Such scarring hinders normal function, and obviously results serious physical, psychological, and aesthetic problems for patients.

It is widely accepted that the time to complete wound healing is the most important factor to predict the development of hypertrophic scars. Only one-third of wounds developed scarring tissue if healing occurred between 14 and 21 days. Some 78% of the sites resulted in serious scarring if the wound healed after 21 days.

The established therapies for preventing serious skin scarring include pressure therapy, which has long been considered the mainstay non-invasive treatment for hypertrophic scarring. It is widely used worldwide and its effectiveness has been established. It’s likely more effective suggested that it is more effective if pressure therapy is performed within two months after the initial injury.

Other interventions include silicone, steroids, and laser therapy. While the effectiveness of silicone therapy has not been completely determined, the topical administration of steroids for burn injuries has been generally used and reported to be effective. There is consistent evidence that early laser intervention for the prevention would be beneficial in both the speed of scar reduction and the efficacy of therapeutic response.

Resection (cutting out the tissue) and radiation can often be used in addition to the primary therapies. Surgical approaches do, however, vary with the type of scar. Researchers involved with this paper argue that we need long term results in order to make decisions about using resection or radiation as a medical intervention.

The drug botulinum toxin A (btxA) is widely used for cosmetic purposes, as well as treating headaches and other pain. It is also often used to treat hypertrophic scars. Researchers involved in this paper emphasize that while btxA appears to have some positive effect on scar prevention, researchers still haven’t decided on the optimal concentration of the drug to treat scarring. It may depend on the size or severity of the wound. They conclude the drug is promising and worth investigating further.

Future management possibilities for hypertrophic scar therapy include anti-angiogenesis therapy, which inhibits the development of new blood vessels, fat grafting, and stem cell therapy. There are several experimental investigations on the effectiveness such therapies to reduce abnormal tissue formation.

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Materials provided by Oxford University Press USA. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

How to Minimize Scars | Different Scar Types

Children love to play hard, and as a result, they often get scars. As a kid, a scar may be a symbol of strength and bravery. But what about as you get older? Maybe you’ve received scars from surgery, an accident or even acne. Although scars are a natural result of the body’s healing process, you may wish they would disappear. 

Fortunately, there are ways to help minimize the appearance of scars you can do at home such as keeping the wound clean, applying petroleum jelly and keeping a fresh bandage over the wound as it heals. Keep reading to learn more about scars and how to effectively treat them. 

What is a scar and why do we get them?

Scars are the natural result of the skin and tissue trying to repair a wound. A scar can form from almost any kind of cut, scratch, burn, disease, skin condition or surgery. Only very minor incidents will not cause scarring.

If the dermis, or deep layer of skin, has been damaged, new collagen fibers will begin to form. Think of it as the skin stitching itself back together. This stitching, or mending, of the skin will leave a visible mark once it is completely healed. These visible marks, or scars, let you know that your body has done its job at helping to restore your skin as best as it can.

What are the different types of scars?

Every wound heals a little bit differently. Therefore, there are different types of scars due to the amount of collagen that the body produces to heal the wound. Many scars will appear flat but paler than the natural tone of your skin. When the body creates too much collagen at the time of mending the wound, the scar will be raised. This kind of scar is called hypertrophic or keloid. Other scars appear to be sunken into the skin or pitted. These usually result from acne and are known as acne scars. Contracture scars occur when you have been burned. This type of scar is tightened skin and can be quite deep, affecting your muscles and nerves. 

How can you minimize scars on a healing wound?

There are several ways to approach treating scars. Most importantly, you should know how to treat the wound as it is healing, and as the scar is forming. Keeping it clean and moisturized will help aid in the healing process, and potentially lessen the appearance of the scar. 

If you need stitches, pay attention to the instructions that the doctor gives you for caring for the wound. After the wound has healed, try using sunscreen to minimize discoloration and help the scar fade quicker. However, once the scar has formed, you can still try to apply ointments such as cocoa butter cream, vitamin E and other skincare products that can be found in your local pharmacy. Other treatments include steroid injections, which can help to flatten scars. 

Microdermabrasion treatment will take away the skin’s surface where scarring is visible and can help to take away any irregularities. Filler injections can be used for sunken or pitted scars to raise the skin. In some cases, surgery may be considered, depending on the severity of the scarring. This will not remove the scar altogether, but it can help to alter the appearance. 

How can you get rid of old scars?

If you have had a scar that has not faded over time and you’ve lost hope on it ever fading, don’t give up yet! There are treatments that you can try to help fade old scars, many that can be done in the comfort of your own home. 

Silicone sheeting or gel has proven to be an effective treatment that can help alter the appearance of hypertrophic and keloid scars. Onion extract has been another effective remedy that can soften the scar and help improve the texture and discoloration. 

Chemical exfoliators are helpful in the fact that they can remove outer layers of dead skin, which can help to smooth the appearance of scars. Any of these treatments can help reduce the appearance of old scars but may not get rid of them completely. If you wish to ensure that your scars are entirely gone, you may consider speaking to a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. 

When to see a dermatologist

Scars are as unique as people. They heal differently and appear different from others. No one solution will remove or reduce scars. If you are concerned or continually embarrassed by your scarring, it is best to make an appointment with your dermatologist.

Columbia Skin Clinic treats patients at three conveniently located Midland’s locations. Contact us to make an appointment today. 

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 ^{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.}

dietdoctor.com

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 damage, 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-scarring 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 ^{or a combination of salicylic and mandelic acids.}

You can also wipe the scar with a pharmacy lotion based on salicylic acid – 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 peels

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 drawback is that they are removed after 6-18 months, so the procedure will have to be repeated.

If the scar is, on the contrary, 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 scar removal

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.

Read also 🧐

Scar treatment | Prima Medica

Whenever our skin is damaged, no matter how it happened, the body begins to work on healing the wound. When the skin heals, a scar may form – this is a natural healing process.

The appearance of scars often depends on how well the wound heals.Despite the fact that it is difficult to avoid scars after knocking down knees and elbows in childhood, or after surgery, scars from small cuts or scratches can be made completely invisible, or get rid of them altogether, with proper home care.

Here are some tips from a dermatologist on how to avoid scars from bumpy knees or deep scratches:

1. Always keep cuts, scrapes, or other skin damage clean.Wash the affected area with soap and water to remove debris or to keep germs from entering the wound.
2. For faster healing of damaged skin, use lanolin or petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist at all times. Vaseline will protect the wound from drying out and prevent the formation of a crust; crusted wounds take longer to heal. Petroleum jelly can also help prevent large or deep scars and itching at the site of injury. If you rinse the wound every day and keep it clean, you won’t need to use antibacterial ointments.
3. After rinsing the wound and applying petroleum jelly or other similar ointment, cover the wound with adhesive tape. If you have a large scratch, inflamed wound, burn or persistent redness, use a hydrogel or silicone gel pads.
4. Change the dressing every day to keep the wound clean. Do not use adhesive plaster, if your skin is very sensitive, use a gauze bandage. If using hydrogel patches, follow the instructions for changing patches.
5. If stitches are in place, follow your doctor’s advice on wound care prior to removing stitches. This will help minimize scar formation.
6. Use sunscreen for several months after the wound has healed. Sunscreen will help reduce the appearance of red or brown skin tones, and the scar will heal faster. Use a high sun protection factor, minimum SPF 30 or higher. Apply the cream as often as possible.

If you have minor cuts or scrapes, with proper home care for the injury, you can prevent scarring.However, if the damage is too deep, painful, or skin infection has occurred, see a doctor immediately.

While some scars do not completely disappear, they may become invisible over time. If you are worried that a scar may remain after damage to your skin, see a qualified dermatologist. The dermatologist will answer all your questions and tell you about ways to make the scar less noticeable.

You can make an appointment with a dermatologist on the website of our medical center

or by phone: +7 495 1200 107

All about scars and scars.Types and methods of therapy, methods of removal

Scar is the result of the biological process of healing wounds of the skin or other tissue resulting from injuries, burns, operations and diseases, without which no living organism can exist.

According to WHO analytical data, about 50 million people are injured every year in the world, more than 100 million undergo surgical interventions, after which scars remain. Keloid and hypertrophic scars are observed in 4.5% – 10% of the general population.

Diagnosis of pathological scars is not very difficult and is based on anamnestic data and clinical manifestations. However, despite the keen interest of scientists in this problem, it should be recognized that the degree of understanding of the processes occurring in tissues leaves much to be desired and often comes down to empiricism.

Correction of cicatricial deformities is one of the most difficult tasks in aesthetic medicine. Scars are not only a source of aesthetic and psychological problems, but also deliver a number of unpleasant subjective sensations.Currently, there are a large number of treatments for scarring, but none of them alone can guarantee quality. This problem requires an integrated approach and the involvement of doctors of several specialties – surgeons and dermatocosmetologists.

Classification of scars

• According to the criterion of the volume of scar tissue: hypertrophic, keloid, normotrophic, atrophic.
• According to the criterion of growth activity, i.e.ie the stages of evolution: “active” (growing), absorbable and stable.
• By the age of the scar tissue: “young” and “old” scars.

Normotrophic scars

Normotrophic scars are ideal healing outcomes for wounds of any origin. They are thin, pale, do not protrude above the surface of the skin, do not grow and are cosmetic and functional for the patient.

Atrophic scars

Atrophic scars fall below the skin level and are often the result of trauma or inflammation.The skin over the atrophic scars is thin, flabby, and often has a transverse striation. These scars are often devoid of pigment and therefore appear white.

The characteristic appearance of these scars is caused by a defect in the connective tissue under the scar, a deficiency of collagen and elastin, the main proteins that form the skin frame.

The most common manifestations of stretch marks and post-acne (acne, the clinical manifestations of which have an adverse effect on patients, contributing to the occurrence of psychosocial maladjustment.

Hypertrophic scars

Hypertrophic scars are usually thick, dense, with a tuberous surface covered with hyperkeratosis, often with transverse fissures. The hypertrophic part of the scars without clear boundaries turns into atrophic, which gradually merges with the surrounding skin. They NEVER extend beyond the damage zone.

Keloid scars

Keloid scars are more persistent than hypertrophic scars and are difficult to treat.They are clearly defined, rise above the skin, their surface is smooth, shiny, elastic consistency, painful palpation. They have a pronounced excessive growth of scar tissue, often with bizarre outlines. Formed on non-functional areas of the body, after minor injuries or wound healing by primary tension, after injections, vaccinations, insect bites, acne.

These scars almost never ulcerate and always extend to healthy skin!

Treatment of scars and scars

Treatment and correction of scars is a long and painstaking process that does not always give an immediate and expected result.That is why few people want to deal with this problem. Even highly professional specialists often advise: “Wait a year and a half, and we’ll see!” And a year later, they also state: “It is unlikely that anything can be done here …” Scars can and should be treated immediately, from the first hours after injury, and in 95% of cases, surgical treatment is not required.

Our task is to make the scar invisible or less visible and erase the unpleasant memories associated with it!

Methods of treatment

There are many methods and approaches in the treatment of scars and scars that we can offer you to solve problems in each case.Treatment should be comprehensive and not limited to only one selected method.

• 1. Therapeutic (medicinal) methods
  The drugs used to treat patients with pathological scars belong to different pharmacological groups and have points of application at each stage of scar development (corticosteroid drugs, enzyme drugs, cytostatics, platelet-rich plasma ( PRP), hyaluronic acid).
• 2. Physiotherapeutic methods
  These methods of treatment are based on various physical effects on the pathological scar and include: agents containing silicone (plates, plasters, gels), electro and phonophoresis with drugs, exposure to low temperatures (cryodestruction).
• 3. Compression therapy
  One of the most effective and reliable methods of conservative treatment of cicatricial contractures and hypertrophic scars is press prevention and press therapy using compression garments and silicone plates.
• 4. Physical methods
  These include mechanical resurfacing and needling, aimed at mechanical damage to scar tissue, followed by restructuring of pathological collagen and improvement of the surface and structure of the scar.
• 5. Laser technologies
  More and more interest in laser treatments for cicatricial changes in the skin is growing every year. Laser resurfacing is becoming the “Gold Standard” in the treatment of scars of various etiologies.

The method of fractional photothermolysis is based on ablation (evaporation) of micro-areas of the skin using a laser beam that repeatedly penetrates the skin to a certain depth, creating evenly distributed micro-zones of laser damage, surrounded by many zones of thermal stimulation.This thermal injury is safe even for sensitive skin areas, but it is sufficient to activate the fastest tissue repair possible and achieve predictable results.

The traumatic effect of the laser penetrates into the middle layers of the skin without disturbing its barrier function. This is due to the optimal ratio of the areas of damaged and undamaged tissue: 5-25% and 95-75%, respectively.

The response of the skin to a controlled injury is the launch of a whole range of regenerative processes both at the tissue and cellular levels.There is an active synthesis of normal collagen and fibroblasts that rebuild the pathological collagen of scar tissue.

Different types of laser may be required to fix different problems. Persistent skin defects, such as hypertrophic scars and deep wrinkles, can only be corrected with a CO2 laser that deeply affects the skin. Superficial imperfections, in particular, normotrophic scars and striae, hyperpigmentation, are eliminated by a superficially acting erbium laser.

Ideally, multiple lasers and other topical treatments should be used for laser scar treatment, this combination allows the best effect from the procedure.

Our medical center employs specialists with many years of experience in the treatment of cicatricial skin changes. Modern laser equipment and high-class knowledge of our doctors will help you get rid of scars of various ages and origins, select the optimal treatment regimen and achieve the maximum possible result.

Doctor-surgeon, doctor-combustiologist-surgeon of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences, associate professor A.Ch. Chastnoit

Scars: is it real to erase without a trace? | Beauty Secrets | Health

Unfortunately, surgery, sports and domestic injuries, and accidents can cause scarring. They cause psychological discomfort and give rise to many complexes, especially among the fairer sex. So is the loss of attractiveness worth worrying about or can scarring be prevented?

When and how scars are formed

Scars (keloids) are formed after trauma or surgery.Most often, scarring occurs with deep wounds that affect all layers of the skin. Especially often, the cause of an unsightly scar is burns: accidental touching a hot iron, a spilled cup of freshly brewed coffee, steam escaping from under the lid – the scar is guaranteed.

Who is at risk for scarring? Children and adolescents are most susceptible to their formation, which is due to the special structure of the skin at a young age. The genetic predisposition of a person to the appearance of scars and, in fact, the place of damage also play a role.For example, scars appear more frequently on the back and joints than elsewhere. Therefore, during surgery or injury in this area, it is necessary to pay special attention to the prevention of the formation of keloids.

In addition to age, genetic makeup and location of the wound, long-term infected wounds that do not heal can cause the formation of rough keloid scars. In general, there are a lot of prerequisites for the appearance of a scar, but this can be avoided by using specialized modern drugs.

Is there a chance to prevent scarring?

The earlier the prevention of scarring begins, the more optimistic the prognosis. For people who have undergone surgery or were injured, experts advise:

1. Use special means to prevent wound suppuration;

2. Protect the skin formed at the site of the wound from exposure to ultraviolet radiation;

3. To exclude thermal procedures and other factors provoking the formation of keloid;

4.Use silicone preparations that normalize the water balance in the skin and promote effective tissue regeneration.

It is best to start using anti-scar products as soon as the wound heals. In addition, it must be remembered that even if the scar has already formed, its aesthetic correction is still possible.

However, here it is necessary to be extremely careful in the choice of medicines – doctors note that recently, cases of self-treatment of cicatricial changes in the skin with means with insufficient effectiveness (simply useless) have become more frequent.As a result, scars remain, and their owners fall into despair.

Thus, scientific studies have shown that widespread preparations based on onion extract, positioned as a means to prevent scars, as well as vitamin E and numerous herbal creams, not only do not help prevent the formation of scars, but can also worsen the situation. According to experts in the field of plastic surgery and cosmetology, patients using such paramedical products only waste precious time.There is no scientific confirmation of the effectiveness of the above means, but there are many arguments against their use.

So, according to experts, preparations based on onion extract often provoke an inflammatory reaction on the skin, which only aggravates cicatricial changes. And a popular remedy like vitamin E can cause a serious allergic reaction and a rash, which will also worsen the condition of the scar. Creams are also dangerous, because their use can disrupt the water balance of the skin and complicate the process of its regeneration, that is, on the contrary, contribute to the formation of a scar.

Timely care = healthy skin

So how do you prevent scarring? According to international recommendations, immediately after the complete closure of the wound, silicone gel (Dermatiks) should be used. It is an external remedy for the prevention of cicatricial deformities of the skin, which forms a thin film that does not interfere with air exchange and is completely invisible in open areas of the body. Thanks to silicone, the required level of moisture is maintained on the skin surface, and the elastic tissue of a healed wound is reliably protected from adverse factors.

Under the thinnest silicone film, metabolic processes take place differently: connective tissue is restored more evenly, without forming “sagging”. Thus, the trail from surgery or injury is formed smoother and more invisible.

It is especially important that silicone gel does not affect the body as a whole, therefore it can be recommended for adults, children and even women during breastfeeding.

And it’s always important to remember that none of us is immune to trouble.Nevertheless, you can protect yourself from at least one trouble – a scar on the skin. The main thing is to use proven, effective and safe means in a timely manner and wisely.

See also:

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

Childhood is the time for active knowledge 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, there are more than 3 million cases of child injury in Russia 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 Kontraktubex 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 excessive scar tissue formation

• reduce redness, itching, tension

• help smooth out the scar.

Method of using Contractubex 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 treatment period 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 miotic 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 How to get rid of scars after chickenpox

Scars may adorn men, but not women. The reason for the appearance of these unaesthetic defects on the face can be not only injuries, but also chickenpox.Echoes of childhood illness with many remain for life in the form of scars and scars. But fortunately, modern cosmetology knows how to smooth out chickenpox scars.

Answers to questions from a beautician: how to eliminate chickenpox scars

Chickenpox and scars are two inseparable concepts in most cases. Chickenpox is an unpleasant disease in itself because of its symptoms. But its consequences are reminiscent of the disease in adulthood. Thanks to aesthetic cosmetology, the chickenpox scar will disappear forever from the skin of the face or body.

What are chickenpox scars?

When do chickenpox scars remain? And why some have them, while others do not.

Chickenpox is a disease that many get sick even in childhood, and much less often in adulthood. Chickenpox is always accompanied by the appearance of pustules on the face and body. They penetrate deeply into the skin, affect the basal layer of the dermis and itch unbearably.

Chickenpox does not leave scars in all cases. If the pustules are not touched, the chickenpox will disappear without a trace.But if the basal layer is damaged, chickenpox scars remain.

Causes of chickenpox scars:

• Infection. A chickenpox scar appears at the site of a damaged pustule, into which an infection has penetrated. Bacteria enter the deep layers of the skin, changing the structure of the tissues.
• Weakened immunity. Chickenpox scars in adults are often caused by a weakened immune system caused by the virus. Skin cells regenerate slowly, tissue healing takes a long time.
• Wrong medication. Chickenpox scars in adults are often associated with treatment. Lubrication of keratinized pustules leads to the fact that the dead epidermis exfoliates faster than the formation of a healthy layer of skin. As a result, dirt and infection can penetrate deep into the skin.
• The use of anti-scar drugs. When chickenpox scars remain, it may indicate the use of anti-scar ointments before the skin has healed.
• Synthetic clothing. Rubbing clothes or the body’s reaction to synthetics are the causes of chickenpox scars. During illness, many suffer from itching, but completely forget that pustules can be damaged by clothing.

Chickenpox scar occurs less frequently in children than in adults. This is understandable. In a mature body, metabolic processes are slowed down – it will take more time and effort to regenerate skin cells. Aggravates the appearance of chickenpox scars on the face in adults and the lack of collagen fibers.

How do chickenpox scars appear

Consequences of chickenpox – atrophic type scar.Its peculiarity is damage to the basal layer of the skin. The defect is located below the skin level. In this area, there is a thin layer of connective tissue, it is more prone to injury.

Scars and scars from chickenpox on the face only get worse over the years – the skin’s ability to regenerate decreases, elasticity decreases, scars deepen, become pronounced.

A face with chickenpox scars is more common than scars on other parts of the body. Pustules are localized on the head, neck and back. Less commonly, rashes affect the hands.Chickenpox scars are common on the face as the skin is more sensitive.

Atrophic scars and chickenpox scars occur with deep skin lesions. The face is more exposed to ultraviolet radiation, patients often comb these areas. The back and chest are covered by clothing and protected from external factors. Scars are less common in these areas.

Scars from chickenpox in children on the face are also formed due to the abundant secretion of sweat glands, which increases the spread of infection.

What should be done to avoid chickenpox scars?

Today it is possible to eliminate skin imperfections, but it is better to know how to avoid chickenpox scars.

When scars remain with chickenpox, this, first of all, speaks of improper actions during the illness. To prevent pockmarks and pits on the face, simple rules should be followed:

• Hygiene. Bed linen during illness should be changed once a day. The infection can persist for a long time on underwear, bacteria and viruses can get into unhealed wounds, and then the child will inevitably have a chickenpox scar.
• Disinfection. Regular disinfection with special ointments and solutions prescribed by a doctor helps from scars with chickenpox.
• No combing. Itching is uncomfortable, but you need to control it so as not to damage the skin. That is why mittens are often used during chickenpox.

How to remove chickenpox scars on a child’s face?

Scars on a child’s face from chickenpox appear much less frequently than on an adult. Many salon procedures are contraindicated for children.If the child has chickenpox scars, only external agents are used. A dermatologist will prescribe ointments, the action of which is aimed at moisturizing the skin, softening and smoothing scar tissue.

What helps with chickenpox scars?

When asked “how to get rid of old scars from chickenpox?” modern cosmetology has many answers. Hardware methods will help remove a chickenpox scar permanently.

A more complex problem is atrophic scars. These defects affect deep tissue layers below the skin level.In this case, the removal of scars on the face from chickenpox should be carried out in a comprehensive manner:

• Elimination of hardened connective tissue
• stimulation of regeneration processes

To completely remove the chickenpox scar on the face, you should additionally use the collagen therapy method. The injection procedure is aimed at stimulating collagen production, increasing skin tone, leveling the relief.

Can a chickenpox scar be removed with a laser?

Resurfacing chickenpox scars is the most effective way to combat skin imperfections.The laser penetrates deeply into the skin, acting on the intracellular fluid. It heats up by stimulating the contraction of collagen and elastin fibers. Powerful regeneration processes are triggered in the laser-affected areas. A few days after the procedure, the skin is visibly smoothed and thickened due to the natural processes of collagen synthesis.

Laser removal of chickenpox scars is a safe and painless procedure. After it, the epithelium is restored within 7-10 days. You can quickly and permanently remove chickenpox scars with a laser.

Laser face resurfacing for chickenpox scars is indicated even for those with thin and sensitive skin. The laser is able to remove a scar from chickenpox of any severity – from a small defect to a large coarse scar.

90,000 Why are scars so different from normal skin

• Jason G. Goldman
• BBC Future

November 17, 2016

Photo Credit, iStock

Scars tell the world about our past traumas – but why scar tissue looks like – to another, and so it stands out against the background of ordinary skin? BBC Future columnist is looking for an answer to this question.

When I was 10 or 11 years old, I came to summer camp and injured my knee while running on the gravel path with my mates. The fall was quite serious, and several small pieces of gravel literally dug into the skin on my knee.

In the first-aid post, the nurses washed off the blood and pulled out gravel from under the skin, then placed a container under the knee and poured medical alcohol over the wound.

It hurt a lot, but at least it helped me avoid infection. What I couldn’t avoid was the scar.

One day when I was in college, I cut my hand with a knife while trying to open a box in a dorm room. Another scar appeared on his left hand between his thumb and forefinger.

Almost each of us can tell an impressive story about how we got a scar (and not even one) to show off to friends. But what exactly is a scar?

To begin with, a scar will inevitably form when any wound heals. The question is how exactly it will look.

The fact is that a scar is a natural result of a healing process initiated by the body to repair the skin or other organs.

Photo author, iStock

Photo caption,

A crust on a healing wound protects it from infection, and then a scar forms

At the same time, animals that can grow new body parts, such as limbs or tail, do not have scars …

In case of damage to the skin, including wounds, burns or trauma, bleeding begins first.

Then a blood clot forms, its upper part hardens and becomes covered with a crust that protects the wound from invasion of foreign organisms.

In the protected from the external environment of the lower part of the blood clot, cells called fibroblasts appear, whose task is to replace the crust with scar tissue.

The tissue that forms the scar has almost the same composition as ordinary skin – it is almost entirely composed of a protein called collagen. However, it looks different and has a different structure.

In a 1998 study published in the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, mathematicians John C. Dallon and Jonathan A. Sherratt of the University of Warwick explained the reasons for this phenomenon.

“In humans, as in animals with dense skin,” they write, “in normal tissue, collagen fibers are intertwined crosswise, while in scar tissue they are stretched parallel to the surface of the skin.”

In other words, normal skin tissue consists of fibers oriented in all possible directions, while in scar tissue these fibers are oriented in the same direction and are parallel to each other.

From an evolutionary point of view, this is quite reasonable. In the presence of an open wound, the body is at risk, primarily of infection. Therefore, instead of slow recovery of the skin, the site of damage is quickly filled with scar tissue.

Photo author, iStock

Photo caption,

The structure of ordinary skin is very different from the structure of scar tissue

You can draw the following analogy: if a hole has formed in the roof and it rains, you should not wait for the best craftsman in the city, if the most ordinary craftsman ready to come right now and get the job done twice as fast and cheaper.

It is better to protect the body from the outside world as soon as possible, even if the quality of work will be a little lame.

Someone is proud of scars, while others find them aesthetically unattractive. It is impossible to completely avoid the formation of scars, but there are ways to reduce their size and make them less visible.

First, the larger the wound, the larger the scar. This is why doctors so often stitch. Reducing the distance between the edges of the wound allows you to reduce the size of the crust and, accordingly, the scar.

If the scar is really unsightly, the dermatologist may advise you to correct it. This procedure involves complete removal of the scar and re-suturing.

A new scar will inevitably form in its place, but the doctor can make it less noticeable.

Other methods of removing scars, including chemical peels and dermabrasion (mechanical abrasion), involve removing the surface layers of the skin.