Scars

Almost everyone has a scar somewhere on their body.

Scars are caused by the healing process after an injury. They can be very small and inconspicuous, for example when cuts heal very precisely.

Conspicuous bulges can remain after extensive skin defects, wound infections or injuries to areas of the skin that are under tension.

In general, the greater the damage to the skin area and the longer the healing time, the higher the probability of a visible scar.

Scars are mostly a purely aesthetic problem. In exceptional cases, scar tissue can also hurt, itch, restrict movement or cause psychological discomfort if it is disfiguring.

A wound usually heals within weeks. Scars, on the other hand, mature, which can take as long as 6 to 12 months.

Immature scars are red, painful, itchy or rise above the skin level.

Mature scars are pale, flat, soft and completely painless.

To prevent scars, optimal conditions for wound healing are essential. A wound must therefore not become inflamed, should be smoothly demarcated and kept moist.

Cortisone slows down cell growth. With the help of injections, the active substance can be injected into the scar tissue and thus stop the excessive cell growth.

Extreme cold can also help. In the course of cryotherapy, the scar is iced with liquid nitrogen (up to -190°C). The cold cuts off the blood supply to the tissue, causing superficial tissue death. The scarred skin forms blisters and can be carefully removed by the attending physician.

Surgical interventions can be useful in rare cases. Scar tissue is cut out and the newly formed wound edges are rejoined as gently and precisely as possible. Skin transplants are also an option for larger scars.

Lasers or grinders are also tools used to alleviate cosmetically unsightly skin growths.

No procedure should be undertaken lightly, as any scar can also worsen!

Disturbed scar formation

Hypertrophic scars develop when the body's own repair mechanisms overshoot their target. In this case, the skin forms a reddened, itchy, and rarely painful bulge of connective tissue. The development of a hypertrophic scar is favoured by the effect of tension. Often, these appearances slowly but steadily recede within the first 2 years.

Keloids are red, itchy and painful connective tissue bulges that proliferate beyond the wound margin into healthy tissue. They often develop after burns, especially on the face, ears or sternum.

The exact cause of keloids has not yet been clarified. However, specialists suspect a hereditary predisposition. Also noticeable is an above-average incidence in adolescents, pregnant women or dark-skinned persons.

Keloids are difficult to treat, even after surgical treatment they often grow again. Only prevention is possible through careful wound treatment and ongoing care of the scar tissue.

From a medical point of view, only the treatment of proliferating scars makes sense. In practice, a cosmetically unsatisfactory result after an operation is often the reason for therapy.

Since most scars recede on their own over time, actual treatment of them is only induced after they have matured.

Tips for scar treatment

Healing skin needs rest. Fresh scars should therefore not be exposed to tensile stress, if possible. Tight, rubbing or even constricting clothing should be avoided.

UV radiation should be kept away from scars during the first few weeks, otherwise permanent dark discoloration could result. If sun exposure cannot be avoided, the use of creams with high LFS or plasters is highly advisable.

Fresh scars require special care. Greasing creams and gentle massages may have a positive influence on the healing process.

Those who are prone to scarring can also make use of special scar plasters. These are usually made of silicone and should be worn 12 hours a day for at least 2 months. The gel pads or films make scars flatter and softer. They also support their healing and contribute to a better cosmetic result. Scar plasters can be used as soon as a wound has completely healed.