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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?
When a cut or wound heals, your body generates a layer of collagen to shield the open area. Following this, the skin around the wound expands over the collagen until the edges converge in the middle, resulting in a scar. Dermatologists of Southwest Ohio, located in various regions throughout Ohio, including Batavia, Beavercreek, Bridgetown, Cincinnati, Dayton, Dent, Greenville, Hillsboro, Kettering, Mason, Montgomery, Oxford, Troy, West Chester and Wilmington, specialize in treating a wide range of scars such as hypertrophic, atrophic, keloid and contracture scars.
Hypertrophic scars are elevated from your skin, formed by surplus collagen. The raised area remains within the confines of the original injury. These scars can appear red and somewhat thick. Over time, as the scar matures, hypertrophic scars may reduce in appearance.
Atrophic scars, on the other hand, are indented instead of raised from the skin. They occur when the skin is incapable of regenerating tissue. The most common cause for an atrophic scar is acne.
A keloid is a bulky scar that persistently grows and becomes more noticeable than the initial scar or wound. Keloid scars may occur as a result of an injury or damage to your skin from a cut, burn, body piercing or even surgery. This enlarged, thicker scar occurs when the body produces an excess of collagen, a protein found throughout the body. Individuals with darker pigmented skin are more prone to this type of scar. Unlike other scars, keloid scars do not fade by themselves over time.
Contracture scars develop when there is damage to a large area of skin, such as in the case of a burn. As they mature, contracture scars tighten, which can limit your ability to move.
Before determining the most suitable treatment, our medical providers will assesses your scar to identify the type, understand how long you've had it and ensure there are no indicators of other issues like skin cancer.
How is it treated?
Most scars can be identified through a visual skin examination. At Dermatologists of Southwest Ohio, sometimes we encounter conditions that resemble scars at first sight. To ensure accurate diagnosis of your scar, we may perform a skin biopsy for microscopic analysis in our lab. Once the scar is confirmed, we offer various treatments including surgical scar revision, steroid injections or creams, silicone dressings or gels, laser therapy, and cryotherapy. Schedule a consultation with our experienced providers for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.