Skin, the largest organ of the body. Just one small burn, injury, or trauma, such as surgery can cause a permanent scar. Scars are no big deal if it’s small or easy to hide, but when it’s not, you may find yourself searching for ways to make it go away. A scar will never completely go away, but there are a few ways to help reduce its size and its appearance. Scar treatments vary depending on the type of scar, so it is important to be able to identify the type you have before finding a treatment.
Keloid Scars
Keloids, also known as overgrowing scars, grow out beyond the wound and onto healthy skin as a result of excessive overproduction of connective tissue. As a result, keloid scars are generally larger than the original injury. This type of scar typically occurs on parts of the body with high skin tension but having a genetic tendency to form keloids can also make a person susceptible to keloid formation. Those with darker skin tones are up to ten times more likely to develop this form of scarring. Over time, a keloid scar may limit movement. In these cases, treatments include surgery to remove the scar, silicone sheets to flatten the scar, or steroid injections.
Atrophic Scars
If you’ve ever suffered from acne or chicken pox and have the scars to prove it, then you’re probably already familiar with atrophic scarring. Due to a lack of collagen, atrophic scars appear to be slightly sunken. Atrophic scars range from deep pits to angular or wavelike scars that can be treated.
Hypertrophic Scars
Similar to keloids, hypertrophic scars are red, raised scar tissue formed due to an overproduction of connective tissue, but differ in that they do not extend beyond the point of injury. They form immediately after wound healing, especially in instances of infection and insufficient immobilization of the wound. Treatments include silicone sheets to flatten the scar or steroid injections to reduce inflammation.
If you have lived with traumatic, uncomfortable, or embarrassing scarring, there is hope. The doctors at Plastic Surgery of Palm Beach are trained in finding a scar treatment that fits your individual needs. Contact us today at our Wellington, West Palm Beach, or Jupiter locations to schedule a consultation.
