Scars can seem to be the body's way of adding insult to injury; even when the pain of a wound has passed, a blemish is left behind as a reminder. These marks are simply evidence of healing, however, made of the fibrous material produced by the body to replace damaged skin. While some of these reminders of injury fade on their own, at other times the body creates too much of this tissue.
A type of cutaneous condition, lingering scars tend to fall into two categories, depending on the amount of excess tissue that is produced. Keloid scars are the most noticeable and stubborn, extending beyond the site of the wound and tending to reoccur when removed. These occur in only about ten percent of people. The far more common hypertrophic scars still usually need scar medicine before they will disappear, but do not spread or grow once forming. They tend to be puffy, reddened marks that are stiffer than the surrounding skin and elevated above it.
Ideally, when the body repairs damage to itself no excess connective tissue is created, leaving a smooth mark that fades with time. To fade scars that have become raised, discolored and lingering, scar medicine is often useful. One form of treatment that is available online is the use of topical creams. The cream should be applied as soon as possible for greatest effectiveness. The development of such cream is a helpful advance in scar treatment, as it is more convenient and less painful than many of the alternatives.
Other ways to fade scars tend to involve needles. The most common treatment is the injection of steroids directly into the scar. These injections are then repeated monthly until the scar tissue is suitably reduced and flattened. Repeated treatments of steroids should visibly fade scars and lessen the severity of discoloration. Collagen is another form of injected treatment, although it is preferred in cases where the hypertrophic scar is lowered rather than raised. One of the most affordable, but less recommended by medical professionals, is needling treatment, which utilizes special scarring needles and can be carried out at home.
Silicone treatments are a less painful scar treatment which has been most often carried out by plastic surgeons. Their popularity is due to their effectiveness in minimizing red discolorations, itchiness, thickness, and stiffness that are primary characteristics of hypertrophic scars. Sheets of silicone gel add moisture to the affected tissues, evening out the color and making the scar more supple, flatter, and softer to match the surrounding skin.
While some hypertrophic scars eventually fade on their own, many require treatment, and the sooner applied the better. More severe scars should be examined by medical professionals, but lesser scars can easily be treated at home with topical creams.
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