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Different Types of Scars and their Treatment

Hypertrophic Scar

a thick scar that is created exactly at the place of the wound. These scars are mostly raised, thickened, and flat. Furthermore, they are mostly red and pink scars which may or may not have the same color as healthy skin tissue. It is different from the keloid scar in the sense that the raised part of the hypertrophic scar (around 4 mm) is less than the raised part of the keloid scar and that it does not move beyond the edges of the wound. This scar might be left after skin piercing, abrasion, burn, or even acne. The treatment of hypertrophic scar is much easier than the keloid scar.

Treatment:
  • Corticosteroid therapy: this is the first stage in the treatment of hypertrophic scars. Corticosteroid should be injected every 6 weeks so that a soft and leveled tissue would be created around the scar. Of course, there are some limitations on the times that these injections can be made.
  • Laser therapy: it is more effective on the new scars than the old ones. During this treatment the raised tissue will be burnt and flattened up; the red and pink biological pigments could be targeted in order to turn them into a much lighter color.
  • Bleomycin injection: direct injection of it into the scar tissues shall improve the appearance of the tissues while doing away with the pain and itching caused around the scar.
  • Cryotherapy: in this method, the scar tissues are frozen by liquid hydrogen which helps the flattening of it. This method is confirmed as a successful, safe, and outpatient procedure.
  • Surgery: at least one year after the formation of the scar tissue, an incision can be made in the hypertrophic scar and it can be removed; it must then be stitched so that it can continue to heal.

Keloid Scar

in contrast with hypertrophic scars, keloid scars are more raised, often surpass the wound edge, and even grow further over time. They have a dark color and might be painful. Keloid scars might be itchy or wrinkled. Keloid scar can be created at any part of the body; however, it is most commonly observed in the areas where there are fewer limbic tissues under the skin (e.g. face, neck, ears, breasts, or shoulders). These scars are mostly created for dark-skinned people. This complication might arise even a year after the subjection of the skin to the initial harm. There are multiple treatments for this kind of scar; however, you must know that there is always a chance the scar might resurface.

Treatment:
  • Steroids injection: steroids are directly injected into the keloid scar in order to treat its itchiness, redness, and burning sensation. These injections at times may result in the reduction of the scar size as well.
  • Cryotherapy: which includes the freezing of the scar and the employment of it alongside steroids injection is highly effective in the treatment of the keloid scar.
  • Pressure therapy: this method includes wearing a pressure garment on the scar. It might be necessary for this garment to be worn for 4 to 6 months 24/7.
  • Surgery: if the keloid scar could not be treated by non-surgical treatments, then there might be a need for surgical procedures to be performed. One of the most effective surgical procedures is the removal of scar tissue and stitching it. At times the removed scar is replaced using a skin graft procedure. Skin graft surgery is performed by the removal of some portions of the healthy tissue from another part of the body and attaching it to the scar.
  • Laser therapy: another option for the treatment of keloid scars is laser therapy. Dependent upon the reason for the creation of the scar, keloid scar can be treated with a number of laser therapies. Laser therapy is used to flatten the scar and remove its unnatural color. Most laser therapies are accompanied by other forms of therapy (e.g. steroids injection, using special pressure garments).
  • Radiotherapy: This therapy is mostly employed alongside surgery in order to reduce the risk of reappearance of the keloid scar.

Scar Contracture

scars are created when a large area of the skin is injured and completely damaged (e.g. as a result of burning). The created scar pulls the edges of the scar toward each other leading to the contraction of that area. The reduction of the skin size can affect muscles, joints, and tendons as well and restrict body movements. Scar contraction can also be created where joints are injured resulting in the limitation of the movements of fingers, elbows, knees, and neck.

Treatment:
  • Skin graft or skin flap: it is done after the removal of the scar tissue. In the skin graft procedure, a part of the human skin is removed and stitched to the scar. However, in the skin flap procedure, the skin along with the blood vessels are removed and grafted. This is done when the blood vessels around the scar are either weakened or damaged.
  • Z-plasty: a z incision can help to reduce the skin contraction around the scar.
  • Tissue expansion: it is a modern technique in which the tissues around the scar expand and then replace the scar using other surgical methods such as tissue flap.

Read More: Scar Revision in Iran

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