Scars. We all have them. But scarring can be personally troubling, especially if it’s on your face or somewhere not easily covered with clothing. These “permanent” marks can remain on the skin after injuries, inflammation, burns, surgery, or acne. If damage to the skin goes beyond the top layer (the epidermis) and disrupts the deeper layer (the dermis), a new scar forms. Fortunately, there are treatment options to help your skin heal itself and begin to erase these scars.

How Do Scars Form?

The body creates collagen to heal, repair, and replace damaged skin. Like Goldilocks, the amount of collagen produced needs to be “just right.” If too much or not enough collagen is made during the healing process, a raised or depressed mark can remain.

Although it is made of collagen, scar tissue is different from the skin it replaces. The body attempts to heal itself in a hurry when damaged, resulting in the new collagen being laid down haphazardly. Due to the speed of healing, the body cuts corners. As a result, scar tissue does not have hair follicles or sweat glands, and it is more susceptible to sun damage. (Pro Tip: Sunscreen can help fade existing scars and keep scars from darkening.)

What Are the Types of Scars?

Scars come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are flat, while others can be lumpy or sunken. Sometimes they are painful or itchy, and they may even restrict movement. The type of scar you acquire depends on how you were wounded, the size, depth and location of the injury, and how you take care of it while it heals.

Here are 5 common types of scarring:

Flat Scars

When they first appear, these scars tend to be pink or red in color and slightly raised. Over time, a “flat scar” flattens and eventually becomes a similar color to your skin. 

Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic (or “raised”) scars result from an overproduction of collagen during the healing process. They resemble a lump or a mound on your skin, and commonly occur from severe acne. These scars can look worse than the original blemish, as they are more substantial than the initial injury or inflammation.

Keloids

Keloids are raised, firm, smooth scars that become bigger than the original wound. Flat and hypertrophic scars become less noticeable with time, but keloids do not improve without treatment.

Atrophic Scars

Atrophic (or “depressed”) scars are divots left in the scar due to damage of the underlying fat or collagen. Inflammation from cystic acne or chickenpox often causes depressed scars. Loss of skin firmness with age causes atrophic scars to become more prominent over time.

Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are formed during rapid weight loss or gain, and just about anyone can get them. When the skin stretches quickly, the connective tissue beneath it breaks and leaves behind a mark. At first, these marks appear red, purple or brown, but they eventually fade to white or silver.

What Treatments are Best for Scars?

Have you heard of the “Vampire Facial”? This treatment is trending for a reason! Using Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in combination with microneedling, this treatment tricks your body into thinking it is injured, increasing the production of new, healthy skin. Learn more about this incredible treatment HERE!

Another great treatment for scarring is Microneedling with Exosomes. Exosomes are small vesicles which work as messenger molecules and help to reduce inflammation, dissolve scar tissue, and build healthy collagen and elastin.

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