What is a scar and how do scars develop?

What is a scar and how do scars develop? 

What is a scar?

A scar is: “A mark left on the skin or within body tissue where a wound, burn, or sore has not healed completely, and fibrous connective tissue has developed” (https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/scar)

Who is at most risk of scarring and why? 

As a general rule, the risk of scarring increases in thin skin. The location of the wound is therefore important when considering the potential for scarring. For example, you would expect there to a greater risk of scarring on your chest than on the palm of your hand. 

It is worthwhile keeping in mind that all treatments which break the skin carry with them a risk of scarring.  The risk increases if the wound transects a joint (for example a shoulder), skin creases, (for example at the back of the knee), or major muscle groups, (for example the lower abdomen).  Scars may also result from an infection in a wound.

Young children and young adults are prone to scarring from traumatic injuries because their bodies usually heal more vigorously.  As a result, these individuals can develop thick, pink scars; however, these will often fade as the young person ages. 

Adults do not tend to scar in the same way as children. Their wounds are not likely to be as affected by skin tension. Scars in adults do, however, tend to react more to UV rays, which can lead to noticeable pigment changes. 

Abnormal scarring

Visible scarring is a natural part of the body’s healing process when there has been an injury to the skin. Scar types can vary over a broad spectrum; however, abnormal scars can cause psychological distress, are often aesthetically displeasing and can cause impediments in physical functioning.

In general, people with very fair and very dark skin tones may be prone to abnormal scarring.

One of the more well-known types of abnormal scars is a keloid scar. Keloid scars can occur in individuals of all ages. Keloids develop due to an overgrowth of collagen in the wound site which causes dense, fibrous scar tissue to grow outside the borders of the original wound. Keloid scars tend to take on a red or purplish tone. There is some evidence that keloid scarring is hereditary, so people who have family members with keloid scars are at greater risk than the general public. Studies have found that individuals with darker skin types are more prone to keloid scarring, as are people between ten and thirty years of age. 

Wounds which reach deep into the dermis may result in hypertrophic scarring. Like keloid scars, hypertrophic scars are caused by an overgrowth of collagen. They appear raised and red. However, unlike keloid scars, they are confined to the original wound site.

At City Tattoo Removal we use only state of art laser technology to safely and effectively remove your unwanted ink. This risk of scarring from this procedure is minimal. 

Read further on our blog to check out several methods of tattoo removal and their risks for scarring.