Skin Scars
Introduction
A scar is a permanent patch of skin that
grows over a wound. It forms when the skin
heals itself after a cut, scrape, burn or sore.
Scars usually fade over time. But
sometimes the ways a scar looks can
bother a person. Treatments are available
to help minimize scars.
This reference summary explains scars. It covers what scars are and why they form, as
well as the causes of scars. It also talks about how scars may be prevented and
treated.
The Skin
The skin is the body’s largest organ. Skin protects us against heat, light, injury and
infection. Skin also regulates body temperature and stores water and fat. It helps the
body make vitamin D, an important nutrient needed for the body to stay healthy.
The skin is made of two main layers: the outer epidermis and inner dermis. The
epidermis is the outer layer of the skin. It is
made of flat, scale-like cells called
squamous cells. New skin cells form at the
bottom of the epidermis. The new cells
The Outer Epidermis
eventually move to the top of the skin as
The Inner Epidermis
older cells die.
The dermis is the thick, inner layer of skin.
It contains blood vessels, oil and sweat
glands, nerves and hair follicles. The
dermis also contains collagen and elastin.
These proteins make the dermis tough and stretchy.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2013, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 08/22/2013
syfc0101
1
Scars
When skin or other tissues in the body are injured, the body starts to
repair itself. Scars can form when the skin heals. If the dermis is
damaged, the body makes more collagen. Collagen reconnects the
tissue and heals the damage done to the skin.
Once the skin is fully healed, the new tissue will look different from
the skin around it. Most scars are thicker than the rest of the skin.
Often they are also flat and pale. Scars may be pinker, redder or
shinier than the rest of the skin.
Sometimes scars may even be raised. This happens when the body
makes more collagen than is needed to repair the damaged skin.
Raised scars are more common in people who are young or have
dark skin.
Scars may also appear to be sunken or pitted. This can happen if the fat or muscle that
supports the skin is lost. Acne and surgery may cause these types of scars.
Stretch marks are another type of scar. These happen when the skin stretches quickly,
such as during pregnancy. Stretch marks can also happen when the skin is trying to
heal near a joint.
How your scar looks depends on:
• How big and deep the wound is.
• How long the wound takes to heal.
• Where the wound is located.
• Your age.
• Your inherited tendency to scar.
Most scars fade over time. But they may not ever go away
completely. Treatments are available if the scar’s appearance
bothers you.
Treatment
Most of the time, scars do not require treatment. But treatments are available to
minimize the appearance of scars. If the way a scar looks bothers you, you may want
to seek treatment.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2013, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 08/22/2013
syfc0101
2
Treatment for scars can include:
• Creams.
• Injections.
• Laser treatments.
• Chemical peels.
• Dermabrasion.
• Surgery.
Many creams are available that may help reduce the
appearance of some scars. Examples are vitamin E creams and cocoa butter creams.
These may or may not help minimize scars. Talk to your health care provider about
which products may be effective for your scar.
Different types of injections may also be used. Steroid injections can help flatten and
soften the appearance of raised scars. These injections work by stopping the
production of collagen. Filler injections can raise scars that are sunken or pitted. But
filler injections are only temporary and may need to be done regularly.
Laser treatments remove the upper layers of the skin using bursts of high-intensity
light. Scar tissue can be removed without damaging surrounding skin. Newer lasers
can work on the collagen in the dermis without removing the upper layers of skin.
Chemical peels may be used to treat some types of scars, such as acne scars or scars
that are deep. For this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin. The
solution will make the top layers of skin peel away. The skin that grows back after a
chemical peel is smoother.
Dermabrasion uses a rapidly rotating device to
“sand” the outer layers of skin. The skin that grows
back after dermabrasion is smoother. It can be used
to improve the look of scars, such as those caused
by acne, surgery, disease or injuries.
Certain types of scars may be treated with surgery.
Surgery cannot remove a scar, but it can make some
scars less noticeable. Often surgery is not used for
raised scars. These types of scars may get worse
after this type of treatment.
Dermabrasion
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2013, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 08/22/2013
syfc0101
3
Preventing Scars
The best way to prevent getting a scar is to protect your skin from wounds. Take safety
precautions when you are playing sports or participating in other activities that can lead
to skin cuts, scrapes, burns or sores. Even when being careful, it is still possible to
injure the skin. Some scarring may be unavoidable. You can help prevent an unsightly
scar by taking care of the wound properly.
If you get injured, always clean out the wound right
away. Run water over the wound and remove any
foreign objects, such as pebbles or splinters. Then clean
around the wound with soap and water. Keep the wound
covered as it heals. This keeps germs, dirt and other
irritants out.
You can also use anti-bacterial ointment on a wound as it heals. This keeps bacteria
from growing in the wound and keeps the wound moist. Letting the wound dry out can
slow healing.
Never pick at a wound or scab. Doing so tears the collagen that is
forming to heal the skin. This may lead to a larger scar. It can also
allow germs to get into the wound.
Even if you take these steps and care for a wound properly, an
unsightly scar can still form. Some people are more likely to form
scars when their skin is injured. Some places on the body are more
likely to scar than others. Even if a scar is likely to form, it is still
important to care for the wound properly. This can prevent infection
and help the wound heal faster.
You should contact your health care provider after you get a wound if it is:
• Bleeding heavily and will not stop.
• Caused by a dirty or rusty object.
• Deep or longer than ½ inch.
• From an animal bite.
• Located near the eye or on the face.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2013, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 08/22/2013
syfc0101
4
Always watch for signs of infection if you have an open wound. These include:
• Body aches.
• Fever or chills.
• Increased warmth or tenderness around the
wound.
• Pus coming from the wound.
• Redness or swelling around the wound site.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
Contact your health care provider if you have the
symptoms of an infection. Getting medical treatment
in a timely manner can also prevent or reduce
scarring.
Summary
A scar is a permanent patch of skin that grows over a wound. It forms when the skin
heals itself after a cut, scrape, burn or sore. Collagen reconnects damaged tissue and
heals the skin.
Most scars are thicker than the rest of the skin. Often they are also flat and pale. Scars
may be pinker, redder or shinier than the rest of the skin. They may also be raised,
sunken or pitted.
Scars usually fade over time. But sometimes the way a scar looks can bother a person.
Treatments are available to help minimize scars. Treatment can include:
• Creams.
• Injections.
• Laser treatments.
• Chemical peels.
• Dermabrasion.
• Surgery.
The best way to prevent getting an unsightly scar is to
protect your skin from wounds. But even when being
careful, it is still possible to injure the skin. You can help
prevent an unsightly scar by taking care of the wound
properly. But not all unsightly scars can be prevented.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2013, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 08/22/2013
syfc0101
5