Scar FAQs

What is a scar?

Scars are areas of fibrous tissue that grow in place of normal skin or tissue after an injury to the skin. Scars can form as a result of wounds, lesions, surgical procedures, disease, and other traumas to the body. Scars can form on the skin and internal tissues, for example on the heart after a heart attack. Scar tissue is different from regular tissue in several ways. Its physical appearance is different from surrounding skin and tissue, sweat glands and hair follicles do not regenerate within the skin, and it is more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, including sun exposure.

How do scars form?

Scars form as the body heals itself after an injury to the skin or other tissue. Nearly all wounds, with the exception of minor cuts and lesions, result in some degree of scarring. Scar tissue is composed of collagen, which is the same protein as the tissue it has replaced, but has a different fiber composition with a significant alignment of the fibers in a single direction, as opposed to the cross-hatched formation of collagen fibers in normal skin.

How are different types of scars classified?

The most common types of scars are known as hypertrophic and keloid scarring, which both result in stiff collagen that extends over the surrounding tissue. Hypertrophic scars form when the body overproduces collagen in response to wound repair and appear as a red, raised lump on the skin. Keloid scars usually form as a result of injury to the skin, but they can occasionally form spontaneously, and can be itchy and painful. A less common type is atrophic scarring, in which the scar type is sunken and the collagen fibers do not extend over the tissue. Some doctors also consider stretch marks to be at type of scarring. Stretch marks form when the skin is stretched rapidly, for example during pregnancy, growth spurts, or periods of rapid weight gain. Stretch marks usually improve in appearance naturally after a few years.

Are certain people more susceptible to scarring?

All people and all skin types are susceptible to scarring. People with darker skin are typically more susceptible to keloid scarring, although this type can occur in all skin types. Older people are more likely to form scars than young people. Additionally, other factors, including smoking, drinking alcohol, and sun exposure, will affect the severity of scarring. The likelihood to form a scar depends on how quickly the skin heals itself after injury. If the skin heals within two weeks, scarring is unlikely; however, if it takes more than three weeks to heal, a scar will form.

What treatments are available to remove scars from my skin?

There is no treatment that can completely remove scar tissue from the skin; however, there are several treatments available that can drastically reduce the appearance of scarring on the skin. The type of scarring must be taken into consideration before an appropriate treatment can be determined, so it is important to see a trusted and skilled dermatologist, like Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, before deciding which treatment you should undergo. Treatment options include chemical peels, dermabrasion, fillers, silicone microdroplets, Fraxel laser and VBeam laser treatments.