What are the Various Kinds of Scars ?
Scars may be atrophic (thin and flat) or hypertrophic (thick, red or raised) and remain within the edges of the wound. In other cases, the scar may grow beyond the edges of the wound and often create a thick, hard, itchy, often discolored mass similar to a tumor, called a keloid. When burns or other injuries result in the loss of a large area of skin, the edges of the skin may be pulled together tightly. Known as a contracture, this scar may affect the adjacent muscles and tendons and restrict normal movement.
What is Scar Tissue?
Scar tissue is made of collagen, the tough material manufactured by fibroblasts, which are the fiber-making cells that rebuild all injuries. In smaller cuts, the small amount of collagen fiber that forms beneath the surface skin is generally not visible. In larger wounds, however, more fiber is needed to fill the gap, resulting in a visible scar. Because scar tissue is made of fibers, not skin cells, it does not have hairs, sweat glands or blood vessels. Scar tissue is stronger than ordinary skin and it may look shiny
Facts About Keloids
- Keloids occur when the body continues to produce collagen after a wound has healed.
- While most people never form keloids, others develop them after pimples, insect bites and minor injuries.
- Keloids occur more frequently in dark-skinned people
- Keloids may form on any part of the body, although the upper chest and upper back are especially prone to keloid formation
- While keloids may resemble tumors, they are not malignant
- Keloids have a tendency to reoccur, sometimes even larger than before
What’s a Normal scar?
In most cases, a scar will heal uneventfully, leaving a mark that is only slightly widened or irregular and does not require surgery except to improve its appearance. This form of normal scar revision is generally considered cosmetic surgery.
What’s an Abnormal Scar?
In other cases, a scar may be grossly abnormal in its location or development. Scars of this sort may form keloids, crack, bleed, inhibit joint motion or cause pain. These scars may distort a person’s features, preventing the person from living a normal life. This form of abnormal scar revision is generally considered reconstructive surgery.
Did You Know?
Cosmetic surgery re-shapes normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient’s appearance and self-esteem.*
Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but it may also be done to approximate a normal appearance.*
*American Medical Association
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