Very few people make it through life without incurring a few scars. Though most are minor and are barely noticeable once they're healed, for weeks or even months you may have an unsightly red scar while your skin repairs itself. During this period, take special care with your wound to minimize the scar's appearance once it is healed.
What Is a Scar?
When your skin has been damaged, fibroblasts just under its surface release collagen to repair it. Collagen is a tough protein fiber that tries to seal the edges of the wound back together. The fibroblasts are mobile at first, and Mary Parlange of the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland describes them as "crawling around the wound." During this phase, the injury site is still soft and changeable, and a scab covers it to protect it while it's healing. But eventually, the fibroblasts stop moving and pull -- and hold -- the edges of the cut together. Though the body's natural healing process can usually repair wounds that aren't too big or deep, the collagen isn't invisible either, and often leaves a permanent mark, a scar.
Considerations
While the appearance of a scar depends partly on the size, depth and location of the injury, it also has a lot to do with the individual. Some people are more prone to scarring than others. Skin type and color, genetic factors and age all can determine how well your skin heals from a wound. In addition, if it takes the injury a long time to heal -- either because the damage was severe or because of improper care -- the scar will probably be worse, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The group also notes that the skin of younger people can "overheal" itself, which will make the appearance of scars larger.
Appearance
When the scar is still fresh, it is often red and thick. This unsightly appearance usually fades over time. It could even take as much as 18 months before you know what the scar is finally going to look like.
Care
Often, the human body can take care of itself, but a little caution can't hurt. The scab is an important part of the healing process, protecting the wound as it heals. Do not pick at or remove scabs; doing so can make the resulting scar worse. The KidsHealth website recommends keeping the wound covered to help germs stay out and states that some doctors think increasing your intake of vitamin C can help speed up the healing process. Though some doctors, as well as KidsHealth, mention putting vitamin E on the wound, MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health, notes that vitamin E could actually slow down the healing process and might even irritate the wound. Instead, the site advises that you use ointments such as anesthetic or antihistamine creams to ease the itching and tenderness as the injury heals.
Elimination
Though some products make claims to the contrary, it is impossible to completely eliminate a scar. However, the American Academy of Dermatology does point out that a dermatologist has a few methods at his disposal to lessen the appearance of scars. These can include surgery, dermabrasion, laser treatments, small skin grafts, fillers such as collagen and chemical peels. A deft touch with the makeup brush can reduce a scar's appearance. For particularly large or hard scars, other treatments, such as pressure bandages, products containing silicone, cryosurgery and steroids can reduce the amount of scar tissue or lessen a scar's hardness. Depending on the location and size of your scar as well as your skin type, your dermatologist can advise you on the method that would work best for you.
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