Scars: What Are They And What Are Their Types?
A scar is proof that your skin is healing. Your skin develops a scar following an injury. The skin has three layers – the epidermis (the topmost layer), the dermis, and the hypodermis. When the dermis is damaged, your body tries to heal itself. It starts forming collagen fibers to repair the damage, leaving behind a scar.
How Do Scars Form?
The scar’s severity depends on the severity of your wound and how fast it heals. In most cases, if it’s a small wound and if it heals fast, there will be less collagen deposit on the wound area. As a result, the scar will not be noticeable. However, depending on the area of your body and age, scars may form differently. Each type of scar has different characteristics. Let’s take a look.
Different Types Of Scars
Depending on the rate at which your body heals, scars can be of the following types:
1. Atrophic Scars
These scars are formed when your skin is unable to regenerate tissues, which causes imbalanced scarring. They often look like sunken areas on the skin. The best examples of atrophic scars are scars caused by acne and chicken pox.
2. Keloid Scars
Keloid scars are caused by overproduction of tissues on the wound site. They are raised, puffy, and darker than the surrounding skin. Keloid scars often go beyond the original injury site and can also hamper movement. They are most common in people with darker skin tones.
3. Hypertrophic Scars
These are somewhat similar to keloid scars, but unlike them, these scars do not go beyond the site of injury. Hypertrophic scars are formed when there is an overproduction of tissues on the site of injury as the skin heals. These also have a dark appearance.
4. Contracture Scars
These scars develop when your skin is recovering from a burn. Contracture scars tighten the skin and can restrict your movement. These scars may also go deeper and affect your nerves and muscles. You may also get scars from scratches, bites, pregnancy (stretch marks), and injuries caused by self-harm. Let us take a closer look at some of the medical treatments you can use to improve the appearance of scars.
Medical Remedies For Getting Rid Of Scars
1. Laser Therapy
It is also known as laser scar revision, where laser beams are used to remove the topmost layer of the scar. It also targets the blood vessels in the specific area to reduce inflammation and improve the appearance of the scar.
2. Microneedling
This minimally invasive procedure involves pricking the scars with tiny needles or a dermaroller to create micro wounds. This boosts collagen production in the area and improves scar appearance. A study found that microneedling could improve scar appearance by 31 to 62% (1).
3. Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers use hyaluronic acid or other gel-like substances to raise the pitted scars caused by acne. You can either opt for temporary fillers or more permanent fillers to improve the appearance of the scars. Consult a dermatologist to understand the benefits and risks of the procedure before opting for it.
4. Subcision
Subcision is a minor surgical procedure where a small needle is used to puncture the scar and break the fibrous tissues connecting the scar with the underlying tissues. As the wound heals, the new collagen formation improves the appearance of the scars. It is considered one of the safest and most effective methods for treating acne scars (2). While deep scars may not fade easily, if you have scars on the face caused by acne, chickenpox, or a small wound, you may try these home remedies to reduce their appearance.
Top 10 Home Remedies For Scars On Face
1. Aloe Vera
A study found that topical application of aloe vera could heal cutaneous wounds in rats (3). It modulated the inflammation and decreased scar tissue size. 1 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel
2. Honey
Honey was found to promote healing and prevent excessive scarring (4). Honey can be used for all types of wounds, including cuts and burns. 1 tablespoon of organic or Manuka honey (adjust the quantity as required)
3. Coconut Oil
Although no studies show the effectiveness of coconut oil in fading scars, one study found that applying virgin coconut oil to dermal wounds could accelerate healing (5). It promotes collagen development and speeds up the healing process, reducing the chances of scarring. 1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains lactic and acetic acids (6). These acids are often used in chemical peels to fade acne scars (7). Applying ACV on scars may exfoliate the area and improve the appearance of the scars.
2 tablespoons of ACV 4 tablespoons of distilled water
5. Rosehip Seed Oil
This is probably the ultimate BFF your skin can ever have! Rosehip seed oil not only helps alleviate skin issues and keeps your skin glowing but also improves the appearance of scars and wrinkles. A study found that it also works great on improving post-surgical scars (8). A few drops of rosehip seed oil
6. Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum essential oil prevents the formation of collagen III and inhibits tissue remodeling-related molecules (9). This promotes wound healing and aids the development of tissues, without the formation of a scar.
10 drops helichrysum oil 1 tablespoon rosehip seed oil
7. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and is widely used for treating acne. A study found that the combination of tea tree oil and aloe vera could reduce scarring caused by erythema (8).
12 drops of pure tea tree essential oil 2 tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel ½ teaspoon of rosehip seed oil or jojoba oil
8. Olive Oil And Eucalyptus Oil
According to research, a combination of olive oil and eucalyptus oil speeds up wound healing by supporting healthy tissue formation (11). This prevents scarring.
3 drops of eucalyptus oil 2 tablespoons of olive oil
9. Frankincense Essential Oil
Studies show that frankincense essential oil has wound healing properties and improves the appearance of scars by lowering the levels of collagen III in the scar tissue (12), (13).
2 tablespoons of any carrier oil (you may use rosehip seed, jojoba, or apricot oils) 3-4 drops of frankincense oil
10. Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary sage has antibacterial properties that promote faster wound healing. It can kill Staphylococcus bacteria and promotes healthy wound healing (14). This, in turn, prevents scar formation.
2 tablespoons of jojoba oil 4 drops of tea tree oil 4 drops of clary sage oil
Apart from these natural remedies, you may try noninvasive treatments at home. They often help in improving the appearance of scars.
Noninvasive Treatment Options For Scars At Home
1. Silicone Gel Sheeting
Silicone sheeting is probably the most effective of all noninvasive home remedies for scars. It is a proven way to minimize the appearance of abnormal scars (16). Silicone gel sheetings are available in medical stores and are beneficial in improving the appearance of post-surgical scars. These sheetings have low side effects and are painless and easy to use.
2. Pressure Garments
Pressure garments are usually worn after a burn to manage scarring. Pressure garments put direct pressure on the skin. Before wearing pressure garments, the healed skin is preconditioned to take on the pressure and stress. This garment is extremely helpful in reducing scars. However, it is up to the doctor to decide how long you need to wear them.
3. Chemical Exfoliators
Chemical exfoliators (such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and AHA peels) help smooth fine lines and wrinkles and improve the appearance of many types of scars and marks. Mostly, the peels are beneficial in improving the appearance of acne scars. You may try applying low-strength peels at home. However, for a stronger peel (with a high acid concentration), you must consult a doctor first. These are the measures to minimize the appearance of scars much after the wound has healed completely. However, if you are conscious and careful, you can prevent scarring while the wound is healing. Here are a few points to keep in mind.
How To Prevent Scars On The Face And Other Body Parts
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends proper wound care to avoid scars(16). Here are a few points that they recommend:
1. Keep The Site Of Injury Clean
Use a mild soap and water to keep the injury site clean. This keeps away germs and also removes the debris.
2. Keep The Wound Moist
Use petroleum jelly on the injury site to keep it moist. Petroleum jelly prevents moisture loss and prevents scab formation. Wounds with scabs take a long time to heal. Also, keeping the area moist prevents itchiness caused by the drying wound. It also prevents the development of deep and large scars.
3. Remove The Stitches On Time
Do not wait for too long to remove your stitches as it can interfere with the healing process and cause scarring. Follow your doctor’s advice and remove them in time. Also, don’t try to take the stitches off too early.
4. Use SPF And Protective Clothing
UV rays can enhance the appearance of the scars or even cause darkening of the affected area. During the healing period, don’t forget to use SPF and sun protective clothing. Does vitamin E work for facial scars? However, if you want to know how to get rid of or fade scars on your face, it is best to consult a doctor and go for cosmetic procedures. This can help improve their appearance greatly and make your skin appear even. However, discuss the risk factors beforehand to avoid side effects. No. Studies found that topical vitamin E has no positive effect on scars but could worsen the appearance of scars (17). Can lemon work for facial scars? Yes, lemon juice may help reduce the appearance of facial scars, especially those caused by acne. However, you should know your skin type and do a patch test to avoid any rash or sensitivity. How long does a scar take to fade? It may take between 6 months to 2 years for a scar to fade. However, the scar may not go away permanently. Why do scars turn dark? Your scar may become dark due to the overproduction of melanin, the pigment responsible for your skin color. Can baking soda remove scars? No evidence suggests that baking soda can fade the appearance of scars. However, it is abrasive and may exfoliate the skin, improving the scar’s appearance to some extent.
