Cuts, skin conditions and surgical procedures can all leave scars as the healing process completes. When scars develop from damage that occurs on the top skin layer, they are most often small and barely noticeable. However, when they develop from damage to the underlying, dermal layer of skin, scarring can be unattractive and obvious. If a scar is large, protruding or deep, surgery may be the best option for removal, but smaller or superficial scars respond well to non-invasive treatment methods that don't involve injections or invasive surgical instruments.
Development
The fibrous skin protein collagen is primarily responsible for scarring. During healing, collagen fibers work from the outside, epidural skin layer to the inside, dermal layer. Collagen first works to ensure that when a scab falls off or your stitches come out your skin will stay together, and then works to fill in holes left by the wound, according to KidsHealth.
Scar Types
Not all scars are the same. The severity of the wound, along with factors such as your age, gender and genetics, determine the type of scar you may develop. Four main types the Cleveland Clinic describes include keloid scars, contracture scars, hypertrophic scars and acne, or atrophic scars. Keloid scars and hypertrophic scars can become large and protrude from the skin, requiring more invasive forms of removal. Contracture scars are the type often seen with burn patients and can be too deep to remove with non-invasive methods. The best candidates for non-invasive scar removal are the more superficial acne, or atrophic scars.
Scraping Methods
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion remove scars by scraping. Dermabrasion is a method of scar removal in which a doctor scrapes your skin using a wire brush or diamond-tipped burr with a motorized handle, or an electric dermatome. He smooths your skin by gradually scraping away the outer skin layer until the scar is even with your skin surface. This process usually takes more than one appointment that the American Society of Plastic Surgeons says can last up to 1.5 hours each, depending on the severity of your scars. Microdermabrasion is a similar procedure the Cleveland Clinic says is appropriate for very small and superficial scars.
Chemical Methods
Chemical scar removal involves different types and strengths of chemicals your doctor applies to your face with a cotton swab or cloth to remove the top layer of skin. Scar removal usually requires only a mild chemical peel with glycolic or lactic acid, but other peels and strengths are also available -- such as medium-strength peels that use trichloroacetic acid and strong peels that use phenol. Treatment times vary according to the strength of the peel, with mild peels taking about 10 minutes, medium peels about 15 minutes and up to two hours for a full-face, strong peel. An advantage of a mild chemical peel is that your doctor may provide a preparation for you to use at home.
Consideration
Although these methods of scar removal are non-invasive, they still involve a degree of risk. Dermabrasion, microbrasion and chemical peels are generally safe, but the American Society of Plastic Surgeons warns that scarring, infection and skin discoloration can occur.
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