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A scar is a result of the body's healing response and replacing lost or damaged skin. Scars may be formed for many different reasons, including as a result of infections, surgery, injuries or inflammation of tissue.
What is it?
During the healing process of a wound, your body forms a collagen layer to cover the open space. The skin around the wound then expands over this collagen until the edges unite in the middle, thus forming a scar. Our medical practice in Beavercreek, Ohio, provides treatment for a range of scars, such as hypertrophic, atrophic, keloid and contracture scars.
Hypertrophic scars are elevated from your skin due to an excess of collagen. The raised region remains within the parameters of the original injury. These scars often appear red and can be quite thick. Over time, as the scar matures, hypertrophic scars may lessen.
Atrophic scars, in contrast, are indented rather than elevated from the skin. These scars occur when the skin fails to reproduce tissue. Commonly, acne is the primary cause of atrophic scars.
A keloid is a dense scar that continues to enlarge and become more noticeable than the initial scar or wound. Keloid scars can form following an injury or damage to your skin such as a cut, burn, body piercing or even a surgical procedure. This enlarged, thicker scar occurs when the body produces excessive collagen - a protein found throughout the body. Individuals with darker skin tones are more prone to develop this type of scar. Unlike other scars, keloid scars do not fade by themselves over time.
Contracture scars form when there is substantial damage to a large area of skin, as in the case of a burn. As these scars mature, they tighten, potentially limiting your mobility.
Before deciding on the most suitable treatment, our dermatology clinic assesses your scar to determine its type, its duration and to ensure there are no indications of other concerns such as skin cancer.
How is it treated?
Most scars can typically be identified through a visual skin examination. Our medical team occasionally encounters other conditions that may initially resemble a certain kind of scar. To accurately determine the nature of your scar, we may conduct a skin biopsy for microscopic evaluation. Once identified, we can address scars with surgical scar modification, corticosteroid injections or creams, silicone dressings or gels and cryotherapy. Schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified providers in Beavercreek, Ohio for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.