For some, they are memories of the most important moments in life, for others, they are an unpleasant “souvenir” that needs to be get rid of. Scars are formed after an operation, as a remnant of a skin disease, after a caesarean section or an unfortunate accident. What are their types? How can I get rid of them?
What are scars?
The skin is our largest organ that performs a number of key functions including thermoregulation and protection against external factors such as solar radiation, physical, chemical and mechanical stimuli. Discontinuation of its continuity as a result of, inter alia, various types of trauma, surgery and acne can lead to scarring. How does it happend?
Scar formation is a natural process and is a consequence of wound healing. Its creation can be divided into several stages.
Inflammatory / exudative phase
It occurs when the skin is injured. Then, significant congestion occurs and the capillaries become more permeable. The resulting blood clot acts as a natural dressing to protect against infection. At the edges of the wound, fibrin begins to multiply, which at a later stage will form a scab.
The proliferation phase
In this phase, there is an intensive production of macrophages, i.e. food cells responsible for the removal of dead cells. The production of collagen is also increased. A scar begins to form.
The maturation phase
It may even take several years. The scar begins to become epithelialised. Proper healing and reconstruction of the scar depends on many factors, including from the individual regenerative predispositions of the skin, but also from quickly implemented care.
The size and depth of the scars depend on the size of the injury. Most often they are slightly pink or pale red in color. After time, they visibly turn pale and stand out significantly from healthy skin. This is due to the lack of pigment-producing cells (melanin) at the scar site and therefore it is not possible to tan them.
Types of scars
The following types of scars are distinguished:
- hypertrophic – these scars appear as a bulge on the surface of the skin. Most often, they are the result of improper or lack of care after an injury. They can also be an unpleasant consequence of an infection,
- Keloids – otherwise keloids. They appear as a result of improper wound healing and excessive multiplication of connective tissue fibers in its place. Too much of them causes the so-called spilled scars. Keloids are likely to appear mainly in young women who tend to overproduce tissues.
- sunken (atrophic) – it arises differently from keloids. In this case, insufficient production of connective tissue fibers is observed. Insufficient production of collagen causes the scar to sink into the skin, which becomes more and more visible with age.
Acne, which occurs most often in adolescence, can leave permanent scars on the face, neckline or back. Skin changes significantly reduce self-confidence later in life. Only proper care, refraining from squeezing out purulent pustules and a proper diet will reduce the risk of scar formation. However, if it does occur, it is possible to effectively minimize its visibility with the use of specialized gels, such as Contractubex.
A scar as a “keepsake” for life?
Scars often cause complexes, especially when they appear in visible places, e.g. on the face, hands, arms or legs. However, there are many ways to make a scar just a bad memory. Each wound that heals properly, without complications, superinfections and other damage, should not be the cause of unsightly scars.
The most popular methods for reducing their visibility include laser, scar mobilization and specialized gels.
- Laser – it is quite expensive (requires a series of treatments), but also the most effective method. Modern fractional lasers produce waves that penetrate deep into the skin, causing micro-damage. This makes the scar smoother and the skin tone visibly improves.
- Scar mobilization – is based on the therapy being carried out by a physiotherapist. He can perform manual massage or with the use of specialized devices. Its length depends on the type of scar and individual healing predispositions.
- Gels – based on heparin, onion extract and allantoin, eg Contractubex. Such a complex of ingredients increases tissue hydration, reduces itching, the collagen structure becomes loosened, the scar becomes brighter and smoother.
In order to lighten the scars and make them as little visible as possible, you need to act fairly quickly. The sooner we take care of them, the greater the chance that they will soon stop being visible.
Proper wound care is essential
In order for the wound to heal properly, it is necessary to implement appropriate care in the first moments after its inception.
- Cleansing – if there is an injury and an open wound (blood appears), the skin should be cleaned and disinfected as soon as possible. It is best to use an antiseptic preparation that contains octenidine. It is a mistake to pour hydrogen peroxide on a fresh wound. It causes irritation of the epidermis (the appearance of a characteristic foam) and hinders healing.
- Protection – if a fresh wound is larger, it should be properly secured with a sterile dressing and consult a physician. At the stage of wound healing, it is worth remembering to avoid scratching the scabs and frantically scratching itchy skin.
- When the wound heals, the scabs fall off, and in the case of larger wounds and postoperative wounds, the sutures are removed, we can think about mobilizing the scar. The daily massage of the scar area can include the use of special scar preparations such as Contractubex gel. It is recommended to gently massage the area of the scar and the scar with circular movements with the gel several times a day.