Scars are a natural part of the healing process following an injury or surgery. They form when tissues in the body repair themselves after being damaged. Scars form in a unique way for each individual and depend on the type of wound or injury that has occurred. Scars can also change the color of the skin during the healing process.
Ultimately, the best treatment for scars will depend on the individual’s condition and desired outcome. If you are considering treatment for scars, it is important to speak to a qualified healthcare professional who can provide advice on the most suitable option. With the appropriate treatments and care, it may be possible to reduce the appearance of scars and help you feel more confident in your skin.
Scar tissue is different from normal tissue and will likely never completely disappear. However, there are a number of treatments that can improve a scar’s appearance and make it less visible.
Depending on the location of the scar, acne scars can appear more severe as you grow older because of collagen depletion in the skin. Depressed acne scars or atrophic acne scarring will usually look worse as your skin loses natural volume as part of the natural aging process.
Although scarring can be inevitable following an injury, there are measures you can take to decrease the severity of the scar.
Seek evaluation immediately following an injury to determine the need for stitches; stitches can hold the skin together during the healing process to reduce scarring.
Keep the injury clean to reduce the risk of infection.
Protect the injured area from the sun.
Avoid scratching or picking scabs
Eat a well balanced diet to promote healing.
Following an injury, part of the healing process includes an inflammatory response. Inflammation can cause pigment production, which is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). There are multiple treatment modalities and products that can address PIH.