Scars - what is it? Many people know the answer to this question. However, not everyone knows what types of scars exist, and whether it is possible to get rid of them forever. We will talk about this later.
Basic information
Scars - what is it? According to experts, this is a dense connective tissue formation that occurs due to tissue regeneration after inflammation or damage (for example, a trace left on the skin after wound healing, in the myocardium after a heart attack, in the duodenum after healing of ulcers and etc.).
What does a scar consist of (a photo of a banal scar is presented in this article)? Scar tissue is made up primarily of collagen. As a rule, it differs from those integuments that it replaces by reduced functional properties. How does it manifest itself? Doctors report that scars left on the skin after a wound are more sensitive to solar radiation. They do not restore hair follicles and sweat glands. A scar in the heart muscle that occurs after a myocardial infarction does not take part in its contraction, and can also cause the development of cardiacfailure.
It cannot be said that some tissues, including bone, are able to significantly restore their function and structure after damage.
Reasons for appearance
Scars - what is it and why do they occur? Such scars are a banal trace left in the place of a healed wound.
As you know, the human body independently fights with absolutely any damage. And skin wounds are no exception. However, it should be noted that after healing, the integument at the site of injury becomes completely different. This is especially true in cases where an inflammatory process occurs during skin restoration.
Connective tissues that allow the skin to regenerate differ from ordinary ones in their properties. Their functional properties are much lower. Therefore, neither the sweat glands nor the hair follicles are restored at the site of the scar formation.
In appearance, scar tissue also differs from normal. Scars that are fresh have a dark tone, but over time, on the contrary, they lighten noticeably.
Views
Scars - what is it and what are they? Experts distinguish several types of scars. Moreover, in each individual case, the human body will cope with them differently.
The appearance of scars is quite dependent on the general condition of the person, his age, the nature of the damage and the type of skin. For example, surgeries usually end in even linear scars, as surgeons sutured the wound, gently connecting itedges.
If the injury was extensive and healed by itself, then the trace of it will be much more noticeable. Also, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient, hypertrophic or atrophic scars may occur at the site of any skin injury, the causes of which may be serious injuries.
So what are scars? Let's take a look at their features right now.
Acne Scars
Pimples that appear on the skin gradually heal, and red or brown spots almost always remain in their place. As a rule, they are temporary and disappear after 2-6 months.
Experts say these are not real scars. True scars remain after acne, which are formations in the form of a fossa or tubercle.
The occurrence of such scars most often occurs with cystic acne, and less often after resorption and healing of pustules. Such scars are denser than the skin that surrounds it. They can be raised, "craters" and scar-holes.
How to get rid of such traces? Treatment depends on the type and number of scars. The most common ways to deal with such scars are: subcision, excision, skin grafting, dermabrasion, laser radiation and hyaluronic fillers.
Surgical scars
Usually scars after surgery heal quickly. But at the same time they are clearly visible. Why is this happening? Doctors say that there are a large number of factors that determine how they healpostoperative scars. The main thing is the load on the seams. The smaller it is, the faster the stitches heal, and the scar is more accurate.
Good postoperative scars recover around the eyelids, as well as after caesarean section. This is due to the fact that there is a lot of free skin in these places, so the sutures after surgery receive a small load.
It should also be noted that scars after surgery heal more easily at a more mature age of the patient. Experts explain this by the fact that over time, human skin loses its elasticity and becomes more stretched. The tightened seams on such covers are neat and not scary in appearance.
Most often, ugly scars left after surgery are formed on the joints, in the décolleté and on the back. This is especially true for those patients whose work involves lifting weights.
Hypertrophic and keloid scars
You can find photos before and after the treatment of such a scar in this article. This is a special type of scars, which is characterized by an increase in the relief of the skin over he althy integument around. These scars are pink and painful.
What are keloid scars? A photo of this trail is presented in this article. According to experts, they are an inevitable consequence of almost any open injury. Such scars remain for life, creating significant cosmetic and functional defects for the patient.
Is it possible to get rid of these unpleasant and disfiguring bodytraces? Doctors claim that there are several ways to treat them.
If such scars have not yet arisen, then pressure on the damaged area is used to prevent their formation. It is provided through bandages that must be worn for 6-12 months.
How to cure already formed keloid scars? Photos before and after the treatment of such scars differ significantly. If wearing a bandage is ineffective, then hormonal drugs are used. Also used surgical treatment of scars. However, it is indicated only for extensive skin lesions and ineffective hormone therapy.
Specialists note a rather high recurrence rate, so the operation is recommended to be carried out no earlier than two years after the formation of scars, followed by preventive treatment.
Atrophic scars (causes and treatment)
Such scars are rather dense formations, consisting of connective tissue. As a rule, they occur during the healing of injured skin and are not capable of disappearing on their own.
Usually, the formation of such traces occurs only in those places where there is no subcutaneous fat. These scars are mobile, pigmented and soft.
How to eliminate atrophic scars? Treatment at home does not bring the desired result. Therefore, many patients prefer to go to specialized clinics.
Today, there are a huge number of options for the treatment of atrophicscars. Most of them allow you to get rid of this unpleasant defect in a short time. These include the following methods:
- microdermabrasion;
- surgical excision;
- mesotherapy;
- use of creams, gels and ointments for scars;
- cutting scars, or the so-called subcision;
- moisturizing;
- chemical peel;
- enzyme therapy;
- laser therapy.
The choice of a particular technique should be carried out only by an experienced specialist, based on the current state of the scar, an analysis of the causes of its occurrence and the general condition of the patient.
Normotrophic scars
Such scars are flush with the skin. As a rule, they have a pale color and do not give patients cause for concern. Most often, such defects are removed only if they are on the face or other open areas of the body. To do this, use the following procedures:
- microdermabrasion;
- physiotherapy or enzyme treatment;
- therapy with ointments that contain biologically active substances that enhance microcirculation and cleanse the skin of bacteria;
- peeling, which allows you to remove some cells of the epidermis and even out the skin texture;
- cryomassage and cryotherapy (i.e. treatment with liquid nitrogen);
- mesotherapy;
- operative dermabrasion.
It should also be noted that good results in the treatment of normotrophic scars are given onlycorrection that was applied within six months from the date of scar formation. Older defects are very difficult to treat.
Summarize
Now you know what scars are and what they are. It should be noted that such scars are not always amenable to complete cure. However, modern medical technologies make it possible to make the marks left after wounds and operations less noticeable. Therefore, after detecting scars on your body, we recommend that you immediately contact a specialist. After all, only fresh scars respond best to therapy.
