Scars are caused by trauma to the deep thick layer of skin called the Dermis. They are the natural result of the body’s attempt to heal areas of trauma caused by surgery or injury. The more the skin is damaged and the longer it takes to heal, the greater the chance of a noticeable scar. Abnormal scars result when the body overproduces collagen, causing the scar to be raised above the surrounding skin. The shape and severity of the scar are also determined in part by factors such as age of individual, location of trauma to the skin and the individual’s skin type. Some types of skin are simply more prone to scarring than others.
Some scars may improve on their own over a relatively extended period of time (6-12 months) while others will remain unsightly without some form of treatment. For many of us that is no big deal but for others it is a more serious concern. There are several methods for treating scars that may or may not be effective depending on the size, severity and age of the scar. For the purposes of this article, we will briefly discuss some of the most popular scar treatment methods available.
Surgical Scar Revision – Involves surgically removing the scar and rejoining the skin in such a way that it is not as obvious. While it can offer improvement for some scars, it generally cannot get rid of them entirely and will still leave a mark, albeit less obvious than the original scar. This method works best for very wide or long scars.
Dermabrasion – Involves using an abrasive electric tool to remove layers of skin, hopefully leaving a more even, less noticeable contour. This procedure may be performed under local anesthetic and patients should be able to return to work very quickly.
Laser Resurfacing – Involves using high energy light to remove or remodel unwanted or damaged skin, layer by layer. With this procedure full results may not be seen for several weeks. Theoretically during this time collagen in the skin will remodel and smooth out the surface of the scar.
Chemical Peels – Involves the use of acids to remove the top, scarred layer of skin, theoretically allowing healthy new skin to develop.
Over the Counter Creams and Gels – There are numerous over the counter products available for the treatment of scars, some of them claiming to remove scars in as little as a few days or weeks. While there is evidence suggesting that some of these products work, it is important to do a littler research prior to spending your hard earned money on one of them. Some of them are legitimate treatment products while others are copy cat products designed to make a quick buck for their manufacturers. At Hanson Medical, we have spent over 12 years helping physicians and their patients treat scars. Our product is backed by clinical data and our no questions asked money back guarantee. For more information regarding our products and scar treatment in general, please visit our website.