The First 30 Days After Surgery: How to Reduce Scarring

Scars after surgery take much longer to heal than a little paper cut. After surgery, the first way to minimize scarring is to give the immune system an extra boost. Life style changes help scars heal better after surgery. Surgical scars take longer to heal and need more time and attention. Your doctor will give you tips but most of the effort must come from you.

Lifestyle Changes

Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, poultry and fish. Whole grains, beans, and low-fat dairy gives the body the vitamins and minerals needed to heal. Drink plenty of fresh filtered water during the day. Green tea and herbal tea are better than coffee, soda, and alcohol. Try to get some exercise after surgery. If you're at a stand still of what to do, ask your doctor what you can do. Exercise helps the heart to keep pumping and cleaning out the wound site.

Stop smoking and try to get plenty of fresh air. Fresh air heals the wound and helps with infections. Do not pick at the wound and do what the surgeon says to properly take care of the wound that you have.

Most doctors will tell you to rest for at least a few weeks. Don’t go back to work after one week because you might feel up to it. Exhausting yourself is never a great way to heal wounds. Proper wound care is the way the doctor and nurses tell you how to care for it. Use only ointments and remedies they prescribe you. If you develop an infection it is important to contact the doctors and get treated promptly.

Don’t put undue stress on the incision by lifting, bending, and stretching. The doctor will tell you what kind of exercise you can do.  Stress will pull your incisions apart and delay healing. Try to avoid sun on your incisions whenever possible. Apply sunscreen on your face or any part of your body that is exposed. Check with the doctor before doing this.

Scar Products and Treatments

Your doctor will recommend scar products  and treatments. The surgeon may use silicone wound dressings. They have the thickness of thick plastic wrap. The benefit is that it does not stick to the wound. It protects the wound from infection and stress. This dressing does not damage the skin when removed. It is often used to reduce scarring after undergoing plastic surgery. Often you can discuss the type of bandage used before your surgery.

Incision placement often adds to scarring. Often your surgeon will discuss placement of the cut. They can often be placed in a location where it can be hidden or to minimize the amount of scarring. Of course, this depends on the type of surgery it is.

Topical Cremes, Gels and Silicone Sheeting

Some doctors and dermatologists will recommend a scar cream or gel that puts a nice seal over the wound. These products promote healing and preventing certain types of scars after surgery. Silicone sheeting provides moisture to the wound and builds up collagen in the skin. Moisture helps healing and prevents scarring.

Steroid Injections and Massage

Steroid injections help with flat raised scars called keloid scars. These are often scars that are larger than the incision made. The injections help with itching and pain and flattens or reduces the size of the scar. Many doctors recommend a licensed massage therapist to massage the scars or wounds after they have healed.

Laser Scar Resurfacing

Often the doctor may recommend this procedure for scarring. The laser light burns pin sized holes into the skins layers. It generates new growth of tissue often healing and removing the dead tissue. It often leads to healing of the skin and the scar tissue. There are many different type of lasers used to treat the various different types of scars. Fractional lasers are effective but all treatments require a qualified surgeon.

When using a laser, a dermatologist will look at the size of the scar, thickness, location, skin type, and medical condition of patient. It helps to reduce scars but does not always remove them completely. Scars from burns are the most difficult to treat overall.

Overall surgical scars have different treatments available. Your surgeon or dermatologist will suggest the scar treatments and regime that is best for you the first 30 days. Wounds and scars take time to heal you may have to wait before beginning some of these treatments until the wound has healed. The good news is there are a variety of treatments available. 

By Joan Russell

5 Home Remedies for Acne Scars

Your skin is your best friend. I mean think about it… Who else is by your side day and night through thick and thin? Your skin!  Skin is tough, but nothing can stand up to acne and it’s not your skins fault. Acne, especially adolescent acne, is the result of hormones in the body running wild, and sadly there is not much to do about it.

While certain medications like hormone treatments and birth control work to control the hormones in your body nothing is 100% and the best thing to do when struggling with acne is to be patient. Your skin will thank you in the long run. While it may seem impossible to leave that whitehead in the middle of your forehead all day, it can and should be done. The best way to protect your skin from acne scars is to prevent them!

While undergoing treatment its important to remember not all acne is the same, and not everything will work for your acne type. If you feel like you have just about tried every medication there is to offer maybe its time to consider home remedies for acne scars. Home remedies are beneficial because they are natural and therefore less damaging to the skin. Read below to find out how to heal acne scars naturally.

Home Remedies For Acne Scars:

1. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil can be used as a healing agent for many health purposes. In addition to soothing the skin it can be used to treat scarring on the body.

To Do:  apply tea tree oil to the affected area using a cotton swab and leave on overnight. Wash thoroughly with warm water in the morning.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda can be found in nearly every toothpaste as the ingredient used to whiten the teeth. Because of this, baking soda works to lessen the discoloration on your face.

To Do: Combine three parts baking soda with one part water and rub onto the face until a small layer covers the affected area. Leave on for 5 minutes then wash with warm water.

3. Lemon Juice

Being an acid, lemon juice contains bleaching properties and can be used for acne treatment as well as scar treatment. When using lemon juice don’t forget to apply moisturizer after to avoid over drying.

To Do: Combine equal parts lemon juice and water and apply only to the affected area. Leave the solution on your face for up to ten minutes and then wash thoroughly with warm water.

4. Olive Oil

While olive oil seems an unlikely candidate for scar treatment, it contains       Vitamins A, D, E, C, B1,B2, iron, and antioxidants. Combine olive oil with a       steam treatment for the best results.

To Do: apply olive oil to the skin with a cotton ball until you have felt the oil sink into the skin. Leave on overnight and in the morning place a warm and wet towel over the face. After, gently wipe away the excess oil and wash your face thoroughly.

5.  Honey and Aspirin

O.K. so Aspirin may not be natural, but it does work well in the attempt to      lessen the appearance of acne scars.

To Do: Crush the Aspirin into a paste and combine with honey. Rub the mixture onto your face and let sit for five minutes. Wash thoroughly and keep out of your eyes.

There are many steps you can take in order to actively get rid of acne scars on the face. First of all it’s very important to always wear sunscreen. The sun can be extremely damaging to the skin especially when using strong face washes and exfoliators.  Being in the sun without protection can also turn your scars white creating more discoloration to the face. Acne scars, especially on the face can be embarrassing and uncomfortable for those affected, but the good news is that all scars fade over time.

By Maren Burns

5 Questions to Ask Your Dermatologist

Many people get flustered when going to the doctor’s office. Whether it’s the bland waiting room, the crisp pinch in the air, or the anxiety of someone poking you all over asking, “does this feel weird?” The answer is yes; it does feel weird when you apply pressure to my abdomen! Is this a medical pain…? Probably not, but now all you can think about is how to get out of there with minimal emotional suffering.

If that sounds anything like you I would recommend adding a medical mantra to your pre-doctor routine. Most insurance plans will cover a yearly check up and dermatologist visit. This means you only get one chance to ask all of those questions you keep hidden in the back of your mind. While at the dermatologist it’s always important to show your doctor any large or irregular moles, but that should go without saying. Here are 5 questions to ask your dermatologist in regards to scar treatment, acne scars, and remedies.

1.    What kind of scar do I have?

There are three main types of scars: atrophic, keloid, and hypertrophic and   all are treated differently. Read more about these types of scars here.

2.    How do I get rid of acne scars?

The more recent the scarring the easier it is for them to heal. While nothing besides medical procedures have been proven to completely erase a scar, other processes have had significant impacts on lessening the appearance of acne scars.

3.    Will over the counter creams work to remove scars?

Because all scars are different it is hard to say what does and what does not work. One popular over the counter scar removal cream that has documented success is Mederma. Click the link to read about Mederma success stories.

4.    What are the medical solutions for scars?

Medical treatments for scarring on the body have the highest success rates. These medical procedures include: laser therapy, surgical removal, microdermabrasion, and filler treatments. Read this blog for more information about medical procedures used to remove stretch marks.

5.    Do you recommend a specific type of scar treatment?

No single person will scar in the same way and because of that it makes selecting a treatment procedure difficult. A dermatologist will take into account your age, time of scarring, severity, and location when counseling.

Acne scarring can be especially traumatic because it usually occurs in young adults during a time of hormonal imbalances, and growth. Though adult acne scaring can also cause discomfort and anxiety. The most important thing to remember is that all scars will fade over time, and if one treatment isn’t working for you be patient, wear sunscreen, and try something new. 

By Maren Burns

The Most Common Scars And How To Prevent Them

Scars form on the skin when it is injured from scratches, acne, burns and serious tears in the skin. Younger people heal better than older people and often medicines affect how the scar looks. Scars are embarrassing and often lower the self-esteem of the person with them. There are many types type of scars and different treatments for them.

It’s hard to prevent scars because accidents happen. One way to prevent scars is to get them treated by a dermatologist or doctor immediately.  Get stiches if cuts are deep and far apart.  Add petroleum jelly and non-stick bandages to keep the wound moist.  Avoid sun to prevent discoloration and apply Vitamin E crème daily to help reduce scarring.  Let them heal naturally and remember to be patient.

Types of Scars and Treatments

There are many different types of scars and scar treatment. Before you get treated for a scar, it is important for you to know the type you have. Atrophic scars are flat and often depressed against the first layer of skin. Sometimes they develop a darker color than rest of the skin caused by tissue damage. It is known as hyperpigmentation.  Dermatologists have several treatments for hyperpigmentation. They have skin lightening creams, skin lightening mask, and light and laser scar treatment.

Hypertrophic scars form due to infections and wounds. They are elevated in appearance and rise off the skin.  Often excessive tissue forms over the wound. It can be treated with silicone sheets and steroids successfully.  Silicone is a chemical that is produced in different forms for its healing properties. It comes in gels, liquid and sheets. Silicone sheets for scars are band aid like strips covered with silicone. It is worn over the wound. Sometimes a gel is given that is put directly on the scar twice a day.

Keloid scars form when body uses all its resources to heal a scar and it does not work.  It rises above the skin and has smooth skin and pink or purple color.  The infection often travels to other tissue.  Keloids often develop after surgery or a serious wound.  They form on the chest, back, shoulders and earlobes. Doctors don’t know why they form.  They are treated by surgery, laser scar treatment, silicone sheets, cryotherapy or by freezing them with liquid nitrogen and injections of interferon.

When you are burned the scar is called  contractures. There are different degrees of damage with burns from very serious--as in fires and combat injuries--and minor burns.  The scars often form on joints and creases, damaging the flexibility of movement.  When deep, they often affect the muscles and nerves around them. There are many different treatments for contracture scars.  Steroid and corticosteroid shots are given, applying silicone gel, pressure garments, skin grafting, and laser treatment.

Stretch marks caused by being pregnant, gaining weight or losing weight too fast are skin tears. They form on the buttocks, stomach, and thighs.  They often look red or purple in color than lighten up.  Acne and pimples often leave scarring. Many teens and adults have acne scars.  These types of scars are treated with lotions and crèmes, steroids, dermabrasion, and lasers.

Treating cuts, scratches, burns and wounds is the best way to prevent scars. There are many scar treatments designed to fix the problem.  The doctor can recommend over the counter and prescription scar products that help heal the skin from scar damage. You don’t have to suffer the embarrassment of ugly scars because there are many treatments available to treat them. 

Written by: Joan Russell

Top Treatments For Scarring

We’ve all struggled with scars at some point in our life. They’re the one thing that seems to affect everyone, regardless of race, age, gender, or ethnicity. The good news is that as a general rule, the appearance of scars improves over time. They start out thick and pink and then shrink and fade to a whiter color over a period of months or even years. For most of us though, that’s not soon enough.

Here’s why skin scars in the first place: most scars form as a result of an abnormal formation of collagen in the skin after you’re injured. It’s a stress response that’s actually vital to the skin’s strength. While it’s great to know that our scars are a sign of healthy skin strength, that doesn’t mean we still have to love having them. Although some people don’t mind their scars, there are many of us who are constantly looking for ways to rid ourselves of them. Luckily there are quite a few treatment options out there!

One of the first types of scar treatments, and possibly the most common, are over-the-counter treatments. ScarAway® is a type of silicone gel sheeting and it’s particularly helpful for treating older, thick scars. It’s applied to the scar for eight to 24 hours per day, but keep in mind that it may take several months to notice any improvement. Mederma® is another over the counter treatment option that consists of a combination of onion extract and allantoin, and it helps make new and existing scars less conspicuous. You apply the gel three to four times a day for eight weeks for new scars. For scars that are pre-existing, try applying it three to four times daily for up to six months.

While you’re at the pharmacy or drug store, you may reconsider and select a more natural scar treatment solution like the application of cocoa butter or vitamin E in oil or cream form. Natural scar treatments like these are great at keeping scars soft, and although there’s no scientific evidence that using these lessens the appearance of scars, they could help keep scar tissue from forming.

A few homeopathic remedy alternatives may be a challenge to pronounce but could be worth looking into. From sulphur to Calcareaphosphoricum, homeopathy is individualistic and holistic. It’s based on your medical history, your physical and emotional constitution and your ethnicity, among other considerations. Like all remedies, none of these should be taken without professional advice and guidance.

Some acne may leave scarring and treatments for those scars range from topical medications and prescriptions to more rigorous options like chemical peels. The best path to take for diminishing or removing acne scars depends on the type and severity of your acne. Dermabrasion or chemical peels have been used as a more severe acne scar treatment. Dermabrasion involves “sanding” the face using a rotating brush. Chemical peels remove the top surface or layer of the skin with a high-potency acid.

Laser scar treatment can help with raised, thick or red scars. Fraxel (Solta Medical) is a brand of fractional laser used for skin resurfacing, which smoothes out rough, bumpy scars and runs about $300 to $500 per treatments for a small area and requires at least three procedures. 

Scars can be a hassle, but there are tons of treatments options out there for people looking to get rid of their scars. Make sure to do your research well and understand the different options available to you before you make any purchasing decisions. 

Written by: Cindy Stephens

Top Treatments For Acne Scarring

Severe acne or plain old acne can behave like a hound dog, hot on the scent of your trail, sniffing and swirling and never ever going away. They just keep coming and coming and growing. Acne stinks…luckily for you, some savvy people in the medical industry have developed some handy dandy cures.

Here are a few top treatments for acne scarring:

Skin Needling for Acne Scars: This procedure will wear down your old scar tissue and remodel your skin with new collagen and elastin fibers. Skin Needling Treatments can take as little as 10-15 minutes to perform, and are relatively cost efficient and effective ways to heal your acne scars.

Chemical Peels: Chemical peels can cause your skin to exfoliate and produce new skin cells. You can choose different levels of peeling strengths, depending on the results that you desire. Chemical peels can also help to lighten any inflammatory pigmentation. The side effects are typically minimal, but people usually experience redness and tightness around the treated areas. The average cost is around $400, and can take an average of several weeks to monthsto heal.

Botox Treatments: Several elements can help create the size and depth of an acne scar, which are usually muscle strain and collagen loss. With collagen loss, a physician can inject cosmic fillers made with collagen or hyaluronic acid to fill the acne scar and blend it in with the rest of the skin. The average cost can vary from between $250-$2,000, and the healing procedure is typically a couple of days to a week.

Focal Acne Scar Treament: Doctors can use laser treatment to send heat into your dermis (the thick layer of living tissue beneath your epidermis that forms your true skin) this can stimulate new collagen which can fill in your scars. The procedure is 15 minutes, but since it is considered cosmetic, it is not covered by insurance. Patients would only need one treatment that costs around $2,500, and the healing process is about a week.

Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion removes your acne scars by removing the top layer of your skin and activating the cells underneath to produce new smooth skin. The average cost of dermabrasion is $1,500. Since it is considered a cosmetic surgery, it is generally not covered. Recovery and healing time depend on the size and depth of the area treated.

Written by: Preston Copeland

5 Ways To Be Proud Of Your Scars

It is important to remember that everybody on our planet has insecurities, whether those insecurities are about money, relationships or appearance. I know you’ve heard this aphorism before, but happiness begins inside of a person. There are beautiful people in our world that are miserable. I know you’ve heard that one too. But I know people who have struggled with acne almost their entire lives and they are happy. I am one of them.

To be happy in life you must accept yourself, acne scars and all. Be proud! I know, it’s easier said than done. Trust me, I was that person who would always become self-conscious about my appearance throughout my teen and into adult years. I still do from time to time. Eventually, I realized that people that really care about you will love you no matter what, regardless of your acne scars or blemishes. It is usually you who stops people from giving you the love you deserve. You should love yourself, scars and all. That idea is the beginning of happiness.

If you struggle with insecurities about your scars, here are five great tips to help you feel proud of your scars:

1. Remember to love yourself

There are always people struggling with some kind of skin blemish. There are always advertisements suggesting that we must do this or do that in order to become a happy or successful person. Stop comparing yourself to other people. Your scars have no bearing on the kind of human being you are each day of your life, unless you give them that power. If you love who you are as a person, you will be proud of who you are.

2. Focus on yourself less

This concept may sound counterintuitive, but when a person does not make themselves their sole interest, they will be happier people. Try volunteering for a cause that you are interested in participating with. When you are working or volunteering for other people or organizations, you spend less time focusing on your insecurities. You will also learn that other people have problems as well, even if they’re not visible on the surface. By offering your services, you will care less about your problems, and feel proud about helping people.

3. Be Active

Exercise will improve the vitality of your life. The act of exercising will also get you off the couch or away from the mirror. If you are exercising, you are quite possibly meeting people and allowing endorphins to contribute to your level of happiness. If you stand in front of the mirror and stare at your scars all day in a negative light, you will likely become a self-loathing person with low self-esteem. The proper amount of exercise each day will enhance your self-esteem and improve your self-perception.

4. Have a thankful spirit

Take a moment in your busy life to feel your breath. Take a moment in your busy life to feel the breeze. Take a moment in your busy life to watch a sunset. Learning to appreciate other people or places will help you to appreciate yourself more. If you are staring at a beautiful sunset, it is hard to worry about your acne. If you are truly enjoying the breeze, you will forget about your scars. Be grateful for what you do have, and not what you don’t have.

5. Call your friends and family

Believe it or not, having strong relationships with your family and friends is actually a huge health benefit. And the best thing about family and friends? They don’t care about your scars as much as you do. They care about you as a person. Give them the benefit of the doubt! Call and express how you really feel about yourself. We can often believe that people will not understand our problems, but you will often find that people have the same issues as you, just in a different way. Learn how to be proud of yourself and you will begin to love yourself. 

Written By: Preston Copeland

Scars: They Don't Have To Be Forever

Scarring is a part of life, but it can leave people with low self-esteem and confidence issues. Because of this, doctors have created scar removal treatments to erase scars and give people their bodies back. These scar treatments will lessen the appearance of scarring on the body over a period of time, but cannot always be guaranteed to remove the scar completely.

There are many types of scars and scar treatments that go along with them; whether it’s from those stitches your sister gave you a few years back or a clumsy accident getting off of the metro, mild to severe scarring can occur and is often unpreventable. The number one cause of scarring is severe adult or adolescent acne, but scarring from acne is treated much differently than a scar that was the result of an invasive surgery or car accident.

The five most common scar treatments recommended by doctors include: laser scar removal, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, collagen injections, and fat transfer therapy. These treatments range in effectiveness, invasiveness, and cost. As the severity of the scar increases the price for treatment does as well.

It is recommended by doctors to see a scar specialist or dermatologist first in order to determine which treatment will be the most effective for you. Treatment options can vary patient by patient depending on the type of scars that you have, but generally speaking each scar type has a treatment that typically works best. Here are some of the rule of thumb treatment guidelines doctors use when prescribing care for scar patients:

·      For Small/Faint Scars: prescription and over the counter gels will usually take care of the scarring in a matter of weeks.

·      For Acne Scars: laser skin resurfacing can be effective as well as chemical peels and microdermabrasion for severe acne scar removal. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion both involve regeneration of the treated skin, microdermabrasion being the less invasive of the two.

·      For Indented Scars: indented scars can be the result of a deep gash that was left alone to heal naturally and can be treated with injections of collagen or fat into the indentation left by the scar to make the skin appear fuller at the affected spot.

·      For Raised/Red Scars: laser removal is costly, but in this case is the most effective scar treatment for this type of scarring. Raised and reddish scars can be the final product of an invasive surgery or stitches. Laser removal of scars uses high-energy light to diminish the appearance of scarring. In this case Pulsed Dye Lasers are most successful because of the color changing effect of them. These lasers will over time return the reddish pigment of the scar back to its original state.  

·      For Severe Scarring: unfortunately the recommended treatment for large severe scars is surgery, which can ultimately result in more, but smaller scarring.

Lastly it is always important to remember that scars should not define you. Celebrities like Kylie Kardashian have publically come out to say that they love their scars, and feel beautiful because of them. Scars don’t have to be forever, but don’t be afraid to love your scar and its imperfection.

Written By: Maren Burns

Why Scars Vary in Size and Appearance and How to Treat Them

Have you ever received a scar from a surgery, car accident or a nasty fall? You’re not alone. Each year, 200 million incisions are completed worldwide, and around 170,000 scar revisions are performed in the United States. Have you ever wondered how you might treat surgical scars or why people scar differently?

A scar is initially a result of the skin’s healing process. After the skin or tissue has been wounded, your body will release collagen to aid in the healing process. The degree to which someone’s skin will scar depends on many factors. The primary component that affects scarring is the size and depth of a wound. Age is also a vital factor in the process of scarring. Scars will typically heal better in younger individuals and they will produce a thicker blemish than on the skin of an older person. It is also important to take into consideration the skin tone of an individual. People with lighter complexions tend to receive hypertrophic scars, while Asians and African American individuals are likely to have keloid scars.

Hypertrophic scars typically possess excessive amounts of collagen, which gives them a height and thickness. Similar to hypertrophic scars, the keloid is a raised scar that is caused from an overgrowth of scar tissue. While scarring is often a natural process of the body’s healing system, scars are often the result an over-active healing of the body.

Learn more about scar healing techniques and treatments from our dermatological and scar heal patient resources.

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How can you get rid of these different kinds of scars?

Initially, scars can be like defiant old bugs that simply won’t go away. However, natural scar treatments like lemon juice, ice cubes and honey can be an effective means to healing your scar. Try not to drink all of the tasty lemon juice though, ok? This is likely to be your most difficult aspect in cleansing your abrasive epidermis. First, cut a fresh lemon in half and rub the juicy part all over your scars. Can you feel your scar fading in the blink of an eye?

Probably not! 

You will unlikely feel any tingle, burn or eyewitness the scar disappearing simultaneously as you rub the lemon on your scar. Nonetheless, the lemon will operate as a natural bleach to reduce your scar. You can also consume the lemon juice (without sugar) for 15 days, and this can help in the healing process.  Ice cubes and honey can also help to fade your scars, just take an ice cube or honey and gently rub them on your incisions daily, and voila!

Some more formal technical treatments for scar care include Z-plasty, Shave and Fusiform excision. I know, these names sound funky, but they can heal your scar, so listen up! Z-plasty is one of the most versatile scar revision techniques available according to emedicine.medscape.com. Z-plasty can effectively reorient a scar to rest in a more favorable position, break up the length of the scar, or increase the scar’s length to reduce its visibility. Shave and Fusiform excision also provide similar results.

Written By: Preston Copeland

The Difference Between Keloid, Hypertrophic, and Atrophic Scars?

With scars being so incredibly unique and dependent on so many different factors like genetics, age, metabolism and more, it’s hard to tell the difference between each one. Since every scar is different, the scar treatments and healing processes are unique and specific as well—that’s why it’s important to understand the differences between the three common scar types: keloid, hypertrophic, and atrophic.

Most scars can be classified as either hypertrophic or atrophic. The easiest way to remember the difference is to look at the words themselves. The root word, -trophic, just means stimulating activity or growth, in this case, of fibrous skin tissue. The other part of the words, hyper- and a-, is where the key difference between the two types is distinguished.

Hyper- means over or too much, so hypertrophic scars are scars with too much growth which leads to thick, raised lesions on the skin. Sometimes there’s an overproduction of collagen (fibrous tissue) when the body is attempting to heal a flesh wound--this explains and accounts for the scar types deemed hypertrophic. 

Keloids are a type of hypertrophic scars. The main difference, though, is that keloids spread beyond the original wound site whereas general hypertrophic scars don’t. They are most likely to appear on the chest, shoulders, back, and earlobes in smooth reddish-purple formations. 

On the other hand, a- means a lack or decrease, so atrophic scars are scars with a lack of growth which leads to indentations, craters, or pits in the skin. This is due to a loss of dermal tissue and not enough collagen to heal the wound. 

Knowing the reasoning behind the differences of these main types of scars is crucial to the scar treatment process. Most scar products and treatments are done to reverse the process that resulted in the scarring. So if you have a hypertrophic scar, the treatment would aim to reduce the production of collagen and possibly kill the excess skin cells found on the scar. But if you have an atrophic scar, the treatment would be quite the opposite, aiming to stimulate the production of collagen and encourage skin cell growth where it is lacking. 

A few popular scar treatments for atrophic scars are dermabrasion, soft tissue injection, and silicone gels. Dermabrasion is a process that buffs away old, dead cells and promotes the growth of new healthy cells and better collagen production. Soft tissue injections are pretty much what they sound like: new fibrous tissue is injected into the scar site to rebuild elasticity and fullness. Silicone gels work to restore hydration levels while also improving the appearance of atrophic scars by filling the indentations, craters, and/or pits. 

Hopefully this overview helps you understand the difference between keloid, hypertrophic, and atrophic scars and also helps you understand the differences in the scar treatments for each of them. Be sure to talk to your dermatologist for more information and scar treatment options for your specific case! Then read more about scar healing techniques and get your dermatological questions answered by checking out our Scar & Dermatology Resources for Patients.

Written by: Jordan Rawlinson

Crash Course On The 5 Different Skin Types

We all know skin can be pretty pesky. Maybe this only happens to me, but it seems like at one moment my skin is behaving and at another moment (generally at big events with lots of pictures being taken) it blows up out of nowhere. How can we deal with such crazy crises like these?

The best ammo we have in our artillery is being prepared by knowing how our skin behaves and how to treat it—both of which stem from knowing our skin type. So here’s the down low on the 5 different skin types to help you navigate your quest for good skin and good skin care:

1. Normal
The first skin type can be classified as “normal”, but in reality it’s more like “perfect”. This type of skin appears as smooth and radiant with few (if any) blemishes or enlarged pores. It’s the perfect balance: not too oily and not too dry—probably the skin Goldilocks had. With such wonderful skin, someone with this type could use an assortment of products without having a negative reaction. That being said, simple face wash is probably the best (and cheapest) way to go!

2. Dry
This skin type is associated with rough complexions, some red patches, and peeling and irritated areas. It can be made worse by a number of factors including: harsh weather conditions, long hot showers, and potent medications. The key to this skin type is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

3. Oily
Oily skin appears just as it sounds, with shiny, thick, and oily complexions. This skin type is prone to acne and blemishes because the pores are typically clogged with unhealthy oils. It’s generally worsened by stress and exposure to heat and humidity. The best solution is to keep those pores clean by gently blotting off excess oil throughout the day and washing your face about twice a day. Over-washing your face could cause your skin to overcompensate and produce even more oil, though, so be cautious with how intensely you’re cleansing!

4. Combination
This type is probably the hardest to manage because it’s literally a combination of both dry and oily skin types. In some areas the skin may be peely and irritated but in other areas it may be moist and shiny. It’s typical for the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) to be oily while the cheeks and areas around the eyes tend to be more dry. Changing climates generally make this skin type worse. The best way to treat combination skin is to treat each area according to its specific type.

5. Sensitive
This skin type is probably the most painful type as it is associated with reactions like itching, burning, and redness. It’s also difficult to treat because most products tend to burn and irritate the skin even more. If your skin falls into this category, be sure to use products that are specifically made for sensitive skin and consider using less harsh methods like some home remedies.

Hopefully this Skin Type 101 helps you understand your skin and its characteristics better so you can investigate dermatological conditions and skin care more effectively. Always be sure to double check with your dermatologist when developing a plan of action specifically tailored to your needs! And feel free to check out more about skin care and scar healing techniques and get your dermatological questions answered by visiting our Scar & Dermatology Resources for Patients.

Written by: Jordan Rawlinson

How To Prevent Stretch Marks

Before looking into prevention methods and scar treatments, it’s important to know what stretch marks are and how they are caused. Within the large and diverse family of dermatological conditions, stretch marks (medically referred to as “striae”) are one of the most common scar types, especially in women. They’re a result of skin stretching to the point that the dermis and collagen fibers are weakened or torn.

Stretch marks are dermatological conditions often associated with pregnancy, but they can actually be caused by many different factors including weight gain, physical growth, and puberty. They’re typically found on the abdomen, breasts, hips, and thighs in the form of pink, red, or purple streaks.

    The most obvious way to prevent stretch marks is to avoid gaining weight or stretching the skin more than usual. But admittedly, sometimes those prevention methods are inevitable and difficult to avoid. Another thing to be cautious of is overuse of corticosteroid medications that can be found in creams, gels, or ointments. The hormone found within these medications, Cortisone, weakens the elastic fibers in skin and can be a risk factor for stretch marks if it’s overused. Another way to avoid stretch marks is to keep hydrated inside and out. It’s been said that seaweed wraps, home remedies, and creams and oils like cocoa butter and olive or coconut oil can help prevent stretch marks, but there isn’t much evidence that supports these methods as strong preventative measures--especially for old and well-developed scars/marks.

    Although there isn’t a definitive way to prevent stretch marks, there are plenty of scar treatments and scar products that are recommended for those who wish to get rid of existing stretch marks. Many scar treatments can be found in home remedies, but there are also medical procedures and scar products that help improve the appearance and texture of stretch marks as well such as laser therapies, microdermabrasion, and retinoid cream.

    It’s important to remember that the results of scar treatments and scar products can vary. It depends on the specific dermatological condition and certain factors like how long you’ve had the stretch marks, your skin type, and convenience (since some therapies require routine doctor visits). Be sure to talk to your doctor about which method is best for you before taking action.

Then read more about scar healing techniques and get your dermatological questions answered by checking out our Scar & Dermatology Resources for Patients.

Written By: Jordan Rawlinson