A scar is a natural part of the body’s reaction to wounding or injury and is correlated with healing. Skin scars occur when the dermis (the deep, thick layer of skin) is damaged. The worse the initial damage is, the worse the scar will generally be. Most skin scars are flat and leave a trace of the original injury that caused them.
Scars on the skin come in all shapes and sizes depending on the type/severity of the wound. A scar usually takes 12 to 18 months to fully mature, with some taking up to 24 months to develop a stable form and appearance. An injury does not become a scar until the wound has completely healed. Wounded body tissue grows too much collagen because the wounded collagen is not as strong as normal collagen. Scars form differently based on the location of the injury on the body and the age of the person who was injured.
For instance, scars on the face heal much better than scars on the chest or back. There are several factors that determine the level of scarring that each individual patient will encounter, including:
- Nature of the wound
- Depth and size of the wound
- Location of the wounds
- Age of the patient
- Ethnicity and heredity of the patient
How Are Scars Treated?
Treatment for scars can be with topical skin care, a variety of lasers and injectable medication. At our dermatologist practice in San Diego, our team of world-renowned doctors have several lasers that allow us to customize treatments based on the severity of the scar tissue that has formed meaning we have the capability to flatten raised scars and raise depressed scars. These types of scars often benefit greatly from the Active/Deep FX laser resurfacing treatment, which is a fractional CO2 resurfacing laser that works to penetrate deep within the surface of the scar and skin to bring rejuvenation.
The Affirm Multiplex is a fractionated non-ablative laser that can improve a scars appearance. The Q-Switched Nd:YAG, Alexandrite and Ruby lasers can remove the pigmentation in scars and are especially helpful in removing dirt from scars.
For red colored scars, we are able to use the Pulse Dye Laser (Cynergy or VBEAM) or the Intense Pulsed Light (Lumenis One or M22). They both use a beam of light at a specific wavelength and are specifically used for the vascular component of scars. In addition, they can also cause scars to flatten.
Schedule Your Consultation With A San Diego Dermatologist Today
Our office offers complimentary cosmetic consultations to any patient wanting to get a scar removed. If you’re interested in learning more about how our team of world-renowned dermatologists can develop a completely customized treatment plan for the removal of your scar, we encourage you to contact our office today by calling (858) 943-2113, during which we’ll be able to answer and address any questions that you may have.
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