Scar Basics

A scar is the buildup of new collagen fibers that form to quickly close (which is why scars are also known as adhesions) any opening in the dermis, a layer of the skin that is deep as well as sensitive to injury. The size and shape of scars depends on the injury, your age, the location of the scar and size, nutrition, genetics and if any infection has taken place.

Scars have a different consistency than normal, health skin, and not only in their appearance. It is less resistant to UV radiation and lacks hair follicles and sweat glands. They can also be lacking in elasticity, causing movement restriction. Itchiness of scars is also quite common.

Types of Scars

As the body often errs when producing collagen in response to an injury, scars can have too much or too little collagen. When there is too much, scars that are raised above the normal level of skin. Hypertrophic scars and keloid scars both fall into this category. A hypertrophic scar is typically erythematous, meaning it is red, pink or purple in color, and is stiffer than the healthy surrounding skin. Hypertrophic scars can be found often in skin areas with high tension. Keloid scars differ from hypertrophic scars in that they continue to grow outside of the site of injury, often forming tumor-like growths. Keloids form around piercings (cartilage), especially in those not cared for. Both scars are more common in those with dark skin rather than those with fair skin.

Atrophic scars are those that look pitted in appearance due to the loss of fat or muscle that normally supports the skin. Typical causes for this type of scarring are surgery, chicken pox and acne. Typically, this type of scar forms when the skin is stretched rapidly. Pregnancy and its resulting stretch marks are a good example of a rapid stretching of skin and atrophic scarring. Lastly, it can be caused when another area of skin is placed under stress. As joints are often sites of injury, the rapid stretch and resulting scar is located typically near them.

Hypertrophic Scar Treatment

Natural and prescription scar removal treatments exist. Some scar home remedies are the topical application of onion extract, cocoa butter, honey and vitamin E. If the scar is dark in nature, lemon juice can be tried to lighten the skin.

Advanced treatments for treating hypertrophic scars might involve one or more of the following: prescription topical creams, dermabrasion, laser treatment, surgery and/or collagen or steroid injections. Skin grafting and z-plasty are two surgical hypertrophic scar removal methods. In a z-plasty procedure, a surgeon would cut out the scar and match it to another area of skin on the body. Skin grafting involves the transfer of healthy skin to the site of the injury with the intention of covering the scar.

If you need to treat hypertrophic acne scars, a dermatologist might recommend dermabrasion or a microdermabrasion cream to smooth the surface of the scar. How to get rid of acne scars? Dermatologists can also remove the scar and use small stitches that help the skin heal with smaller, less noticeable scars. Unfortunately, there is no complete way for healing hypertrophic acne scars.