Scar Treatment: How To Take Care Of A Scar
Scars can appear on various body parts due to skin injuries or surgical incisions. The body attempts to heal, but the mending process can result in an actual wound. The better you take care of scars and help the natural healing process, the less noticeable your resulting active scar might be.
If you’re interested in learning more about your type of scar and scar treatments, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about what scars are, the types of scars, and what causes them. We will discuss the proper care process for an injury to reduce the potential for harsh and noticeable damage. If you’re wondering how to properly care for a scar, we’ve got you covered here at ESTAS Beauty.
What Are Scars?
What are scars? Scars are streaks on the body as a result of skin injury. When the skin receives damage, it tries to heal by creating new tissue. Unfortunately, some skin injuries can occur when the skin doesn’t heal properly, causing a scar formation.
The best way to prevent a severe scar is to care for the original injury. Doing so will prevent various types and appearances of scars from forming.
Types Of Scars?
There are several types of scars skin can suffer. Each provides a unique look and set of challenges to the affected individual.
Atrophic Scars
Atrophic scars appear when the body isn’t able to regenerate skin properly. They appear as an indented section of skin below the traditional production level of the skin.
Hypertrophic Scars
A hypertrophic scar is the opposite of an atrophic scar. This variety is thick, raised, and red. It usually appears over the same area as the injury. These can appear after items like cesarean sections, which are typically low-transverse incisions.
Keloid Scars
This type of scar appears when the body overcompensates with too much collagen. The appearance of keloid scars is thick and elevated, but unlike hypertrophic scars, keloid scars extend beyond the traditional bounds of the injury. They are most common in those with hereditary traits and individuals with darker skin color.
What Causes Scarring?
To avoid scars, you must first understand what causes scarring. Several items can cause scarring, from surgeries to picking at scabs.
Let’s go over the scarring process in the body. Understanding the formation is the best way to prevent scarring.
Hemostasis
In this stage, the body moves platelets to the wound to prevent excessive blood loss. Once in the proper location, the platelets group together to heal the wound, and a scab appears.
Inflammation
This reaction occurs when the body sends white blood cells to the original wound to prevent any infection risk. The injured person typically experiences redness, swelling, and heat.
Usually, these symptoms go away unless any signs of infection persist in the body. Scarring is more likely severe if the inflammation lasts for a long time during the healing scar process.
Proliferation
Next is proliferation. At this moment, skin and blood vessels produce new cells, and the scab starts to complete its job. The borders of the scab will peel back, showing brand-new skin underneath. This moment is where the scab may reveal itself as a visible scar.
Maturation
The scab eventually falls off as the wound heals and blood and skin drop new cells. Usually, there is new skin underneath. Sometimes, a scar remains as a reminder of the wound. Individuals who pick off the scab prematurely are more likely to get a scar.
Surgical Procedures
Surgical procedures are one of the most common causes of scarring. This process works to change the body’s structure or function, often to fix an issue. There are many surgeries, each with its own risk of scarring.
Skin cancer is a common cause of scarring on the flesh. Mohs surgery is the most common way to handle skin cancer; however, although patients can be hopeful of minimal scarring, there is always a risk. Luckily, Mohs skin cancer surgery is an excellent way to ensure the cancer is out of the flesh.
Most surgeries with horizontal or vertical incisions will result in scarring, which is why it’s critical to understand how to avoid scars with proper care. Let’s go over a few techniques for avoiding wounds and wound care.
How To Avoid Scars?
If you aren’t comfortable with the appearance of scars, there are many ways to avoid them. We have a few strategies you can use to prevent scarring from remaining on your body, no matter what you go through.
Keep Scabs And Cuts Tidy And Protected
One of the best ways to avoid a scar is to keep a cut as tidy and protected as possible. This process involves a few steps such as:
- clean the wound
- keep it covered
- add ointment
- minimize movement
- allow the scab to form
- don’t touch the scab
Avoid Picking Or Scraping Scabs
Scabs are a pain to handle. The longer they sit, the itchier they become. In time, you may want to pick at or rip off the scab. Avoid this temptation at all costs to stay away from a scar.
Removing a scab can increase inflammation, thus raising the chance of scarring. It rips at healing cells and prevents them from coming together properly.
For Severe Skin Damage, Seek Medical Attention
Some skin damage may need medical attention. Get stitches if necessary to minimize the wound; the cut will heal better and result in less scarring.
Let’s go over a few types of skin damage that warrant additional medical treatments. These are serious and should be treated as such.
Continued Bleeding
Continuous bleeding means you have a deep injury. If pressure is applied to the wound and it still won’t stop releasing blood, see a healthcare professional as soon as possible for stitches.
Deep Puncture Wounds
A deep puncture wound is dangerous. These wounds create a one-way entry point to the flesh, permitting dirt and bacteria inside but preventing them from leaving. See a doctor for proper removal and care of the injury.
Bites
Bite wounds can come from animals and people, and both can have deadly pathogens. If you are bitten, and the animal’s teeth break the skin, the wound must be cleaned and treated. A medical professional can complete the process well and determine if further steps are necessary for wound healing.
Burns
Many don’t know that second and third-degree burns can get infected. First-degree burn injury tends to heal on their own, but more severe burns need help for proper healing. Without the appropriate support, they can turn into nasty scars.
How To Treat Scars?
Many scars can only partially disappear, but there are ways to handle care for them so that they look better in appearance. Proper care can minimize how scars look.
We have a few practical strategies for treating scars. The more you know, the less severe your scars will be.
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments are one of the best ways to treat scars. Some ointments contain cocoa buttercream, silicone gel, onion extract, Vitamin E, and other over-the-counter products. The combination helps to aid scar healing, especially on fresh scars.
Our ESTAS Essentials bundle is ideal for scar care as it combines only the best ingredients, specifically chosen for their quality contribution to scar care. We use only the finest ingredients like the antioxidants Vitamin C & E for healing, Evening Primrose Oil for radiance, and Hyaluronic Acid to help boost hydration.
All ESTAS products are fragrance-free and formulated without parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. Our skincare is dermatologically tested, clinically tested, clinically proven, kind to skin, and safe for skin. Vegan & cruelty free.
Surgery
Surgery is a possibility to shift a scar’s appearance, but it typically won’t remove it. If you have a raised scar, surgery is not an ideal solution. With these types of scarring, surgery could lead to additional severe scarring. According to the data, there is a 45%-100% chance of recurrence. This process costs a lot and can lead to further scarring. Don’t complete this process unless absolutely necessary.
Silicone Products
Silicone products are also an effective treatment for scars. There are two types - silicone sheeting and silicone gel. Each has different benefits for a scar and could help it become smaller in time by keeping scars from drying and allowing faster healing.
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections are another way to treat scars. Doctors typically administer these in a series until the scar flattens by itself. Steroids can make keloid and hypertrophic scars look less protrusive after the injections.
Most steroid injections for scars use 5-fluorouracil or bleomycin to lower the size and remove any discomfort associated with the injured scar area.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is another popular choice. Low-dose, superficial radiation is put to work to prevent the keloid and hypertrophic scarring from coming back. Radiotherapy should only be used in difficult situations as it can have catastrophic long-term impacts on the human body.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is the process of removing the top layer of skin. It works to remove abnormal scarring. Elevated and depressed scars can benefit from gentle dermabrasion, helping the imperfections blend in a little more.
Microneedling
Microneedling involves puncturing tiny holes into the outermost layer of skin. This process can benefit collagen synthesis and has the potential to place helpful items on the surface of the skin to make the scar less noticeable.
Scar Massage
Scar Massage is a crucial element of scar treatment. It encourages softening and flattening of scar tissue. It also helps control scar sensitivity and tingling.
Here's how to use ESTAS' Morning Massage Scar Cleansing Oil
Don’t Expose Your Scar To The Sun
Exposure to the sun can cause a scar to take longer to heal. The best ways to prevent sunlight exposure are wearing a wide-brim hat, sunscreen, and clothing designed to block the sun. These will keep the scar away from damaging UV rays.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I know if my scar will ever go away?
A scar can stay forever if you don’t treat it well. However, proper care and maintenance of the scar could help it disappear in a few years.
What causes scars?
Knowing what causes scars is critical to keep your skin as safe as possible. Scars happen when the body attempts to complete the natural repair process after damage to the body. This process can occur too fast, removing space for new tissue. Scars can also appear if the hurt spot takes longer than it should heal. Other blood cells are sent to the area and result in scar tissue.
Can I prevent scars?
It’s possible to prevent scars, or at least prevent how prevalent they are, by caring for any cut or wound you might have. If you have a cut or scrape, wash your hands before touching them. You should also avoid activities that can bring infection or dirt to the wound.
Will scars always be there?
Most scars will go away in time. Some may last for days, months, and even years, but most of them fade away in time. However, deep scars may never disappear entirely.
Is there anything I can do about my scars?
It can be frustrating to have scars. However, there are many ways to keep them from getting worse.
If you have a scar, you should:
- Use sunscreen every day
- Keep away from excessive sun exposure
- Wear hats whenever possible
- Put on regular moisturizer
- Use a broad-spectrum SPF lotion
If you take the time to care for your scar, it might shrink. There are many effective techniques available.
Final Verdict
Scarred skin is different than normal skin. It is dehydrated, inflamed, thick and sensitive skin. Think of the eye cream we use on the delicate area around our eyes, or the lip balm we apply to the fragile skin of our lips. Our scars are also a special kind of skin with special needs. With the right ingredients and proper technique, we can provide our scars with the love and care they deserve.
If you’re interested in a gentle treatment for your scars, we have all the products you need at ESTAS Beauty.