Scars are permanent or long-lasting marks left on the skin after significant injury. They can be caused by a variety of conditions or trauma, including wounds, acne, or skin-affecting disorders such as lupus. The ability to get rid of scars is still being researched, but several techniques have been shown to be successful in removing some types of scar.
The success of any attempt to reduce the appearance of scars will depend on several factors. Age, skin type, severity of the scar, and the individual's healing ability can all influence how well any treatment will work. One of the best methods to deal with scars is to take preventative measures: maintain a healthy diet with plenty of vitamin E, use protective gear to avoid any wounds, and protect damaged skin or acne-prone from the sun. All of these factors can lower the risks of disfiguring scars.
Laser scar removal is perhaps the most effective way to get rid of scars currently in use. Using focused lasers, the fibrous scar is burned off the skin, allowing healthy new skin to grow in its place. Raised scars, called keloid scars, respond better to laser treatment than atrophic, or sunken, scars. For people with severe acne or other facial scarring, laser removal can smooth out the skin layer to make scars considerably less visible, but rarely removes all trace of the scar.
Some people suffer from hyperpigmented scars, or scars that appear darker in color than the rest of the skin. These scars are common in people suffering from chronic acne, and are unfortunately difficult to disguise with makeup. Some hyperpigmented scars respond well to commercial skin bleaches that may reduce the difference in color between the scar and the rest of the skin. Read directions and contraindications carefully before using a bleaching product, as they are not appropriate for all skin types.
For people suffering from sunken scars, also called ice pick or atrophic scars, collagen injections may help lessen the noticeable appearance. Collagen plumps the surrounding skin, and is typically used to treat facial wrinkles. Fat transfer from another part of the body may also be used to smooth skin layers and reduce the appearance of scars that appear sunken into the skin.
Some topical treatments, such as microdermabrasion, can help reduce the appearance of minor raised scars. Microdermabrasion involves blasting the skin with tiny crystals that work like sandpaper, etching away damaged skin and encouraging the growth of new skin. Microdermabrasion is a popular treatment because it is done on an outpatient basis, has few side effects, and is relatively inexpensive. Typically, a course of 6-10 sessions is used to smooth out uneven skin and even reduce current acne problems, and each session may cost between $50-$100 US Dollars (USD.)
Trying to get rid of scars can be a difficult and depressing process. Laser treatments are often prohibitively expensive, and do not always get rid of scars. Other products and treatments may work to some degree, but there remains no guaranteed way to remove scars permanently. For people distressed by scars, combining topical treatments with cosmetic products may help give confidence and lessen feelings of unattractiveness. Yet, remember that scars are a record of experience; they can give character to a face or body, and what may appear to one person as a disfiguration may also be a mark of beauty to someone else.
