Preventing yourself from getting scars is already difficult, but once you have a wound, how do you prevent it from becoming a “scar”? Scars hidden under clothing might be bearable, but if the scar is prominent and leaves a mark on beautiful skin, it can really affect your confidence. However… don’t worry. Let’s get to know some good technology that will help you no longer be defeated by scars.
Scars: Why do they always form every time there is a wound?
A scar is a mark left from the body’s natural wound healing process. When a wound occurs on the skin, no matter where, our body produces a type of protein called “collagen” to rebuild tissue to replace the damaged area, closing the wound completely. In cases where the wound closes well according to the healing process, letting the wound dry and scab is another important cause of scar formation. However, this may only result in white spots or red marks, which will gradually fade on their own or can be initially treated with scar reduction products that help stimulate skin cell turnover, speeding up the fading process.
But if the wound closes well and the body continues to produce collagen excessively, stimulating the creation of replacement tissue beyond the damage caused by the wound, it will cause a scar! This can be either a raised scar or a keloid scar, which no one wants.
Clear distinction! Raised scars VS Keloid scars
Both types of scars are caused by the same reason: an imbalance in the wound healing process, causing excessive stimulation of tissue formation to close the wound. The difference is…
- Raised scars are slightly raised above the wound and do not extend beyond the wound’s border. They usually appear about 1 month after the wound has healed and gradually soften, shrink, and fade on their own within about 1 year.
- Keloid scars are clearly raised from the wound, expanding beyond the original wound area, and have a color that is red, dark, and noticeably darker than normal skin. They often cause itching and pain in the early stages. Keloid scars usually start to appear about 3 months or more after the wound has healed. They are commonly found on the chest, shoulders, back, neck, and earlobes. Keloids are not dangerous and do not cause harm, but they do not heal on their own. The exact cause is still unknown, so anyone can develop them.
Raised scars and keloids can be treated
- Scar treatment with steroid injections is a standard treatment method using the drug Triamcinolone acetonide which has anti-inflammatory effects and suppresses the activity of all skin cells. It is injected directly into the keloid area, making the keloid softer, stopping its growth, relieving pain and itching, and gradually shrinking. An anesthetic can be mixed to reduce pain during injection. At the beginning of treatment, injections are usually given every 4-6 weeks, but as the keloid improves, the treatment intervals can be extended.
- Scar treatment with surgery involves cutting out or reducing the size of the scar. It is suitable for people who have not responded well to steroid injections or for keloids in areas where surgery is possible, such as large keloids on the earlobes, which can be completely or partially removed to reduce size. Surgical treatment of keloid scars must be combined with other treatments because even after surgery, there is a chance of recurrence.
Scar treatment with laser is another treatment option. The Monalisa Touch laser is a CO2 laser that helps stimulate new collagen production and skin cell turnover, helping to fade scar color, reduce scar elevation, and make the skin smoother. It can be used for keloid scars or scars from cesarean sections or gynecological surgeries to restore your confidence. It is recommended to have at least 3 laser sessions to see satisfactory results.
