What’s the best treatment for your scar type?

From scraped knees to surgical incisions, scars are a common part of life. But scars don’t have to be permanent.

“A scar forms when an injury penetrates the skin’s inner layer, or the dermis,” explains Dr. Pamela Portschy, a plastic surgeon at Aurora Health Care. “To repair the dermis, the skin cells quickly produce collagen. The quick production makes the new skin tissue thicker and less flexible, which creates a scar.”

A scar’s appearance depends on several factors, such as the cause of injury, severity, location and treatment.

Types of scars include:

• Flat scars, which are the most common.
• Raised scars, where the new tissue rises to the surface of the skin.
• Depressed scars, which are mostly caused by acne or chickenpox and are commonly located on the face.
• Keloids, which also rise to the surface of the skin but grow much larger than the original injury.
• Contracture scars, where the new tissue develops tighter and thicker than your skin and are often caused by burns.
• Stretch marks, in which the connective tissue of your skin breaks as it grows or shrinks too quickly.

“First and foremost, if you see changes in a scar, especially if you don’t remember injuring yourself, or if you have other skin concerns, you should be seen by a physician,” Dr. Portschy says. “Some people may think it’s just a scar but it may actually be skin cancer.”

Treatment is beneficial if scars are itchy, painful, impair mobility or make you uncomfortable about your appearance. Many scars fade with time, but there are also treatment methods to prevent or improve scarring.

Multiple scar treatment options are available:

• Pressure therapy. A pressure dressing, such as an elastic bandage, stocking or earring, is worn around the affected area. Facial wounds cannot be treated with pressure therapy.
• Silicone gel. A gel sheet or ointment is applied after the wound closes.
• Polyurethane dressing. A moist, flexible pad is worn around the site, often after surgery.
• Lasers and other light treatments. These therapies often produce the best results in scar prevention and reduction.
• Injections, such as corticosteroid, 5-FU or bleomycin. The medication is injected directly into the scar to ease pain, itchiness and hardness, or reduce its size and color.
• Cryosurgery. The scar tissue is frozen, which destroys it over time.
• Surgery. The scar tissue is cut out.

These options are the most common treatments for raised scars and keloids. Acne scars and stretch marks are treated differently. A dermatologist will determine the best scar treatment method and review possible side effects with you.

“Treating a scar takes time. It will never be completely removed, but improvements can sometimes be made. It’s important to have realistic expectations and discuss these with your provider,” Dr. Portschy advises.

Looking for a dermatologist? Find one in Illinois or Wisconsin.