Dermatovenerologist Anna Greta Grigaitytė, doctor of skin diseases and laser and aesthetic dermatology clinic “Skin Olympus”, tells about the main myths that prevent the treatment of scars and achieving the desired result.
Every second person has scars
Our skin is constantly exposed to environmental influences, so it is natural that many of us have various scars on our body.
The results of a global scientific study conducted in 2022 showed that almost 50 percent respondents have at least one scar on their body, and 22% have at least one scar that has appeared in the past one year.
Scars appear when the dermis – the bottom layer of the skin – is damaged. When the skin is damaged, collagen begins to be produced, which leads to the formation of scars. The formation process can take up to several months, and the appearance, texture, and type of scar depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of the injury, skin type, and healing process.
Mostly applied for aesthetic reasons
In the aforementioned study, researchers Amici et al. found that most scars are caused by accidents, illnesses and medical operations. Their most popular places for both women and men are the stomach and face areas.
According to Dr. AG Grigaitytė, most people seek scar treatment for aesthetic reasons and to treat scars and stretch marks caused by acne.
“About 80 percent people between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne. One in five suffer from scarring from this skin condition. “Many people know that pregnancy very often causes stretch marks, but they can also appear during puberty, as well as with various diseases of internal organs, when using glucocorticosteroids or after operations,” says the doctor at the Skin Olympus clinic.
Myth: Scars are just an aesthetic problem
The aesthetic problem caused by scars is obvious: a significant number of people with scars experience emotional stress, experience a feeling of self-doubt, especially if the scars are in visible parts of the body.
However, in addition to aesthetic discomfort, there are also medical problems that can be caused by scars.
According to the aforementioned research, even 10 percent people with scars experience pain because of them, and an even greater percentage suffer from other unpleasant sensations such as stinging, itching, redness, dryness and pulling.
The doctor points out that there are different types of scars. It depends on him whether the scar will be only an aesthetic problem or cause other inconveniences.
Here, normotrophic scars are of normal texture, size and color, usually formed after minor skin injuries, such as cuts, and usually do not cause much discomfort.
Meanwhile, atrophic scars – those that occur with acne – are sunken and more visible than normotrophic scars, but are not painful.
Dischromatic scars are characterized by a change in skin color in the area of the scar, which can be darker or lighter than the natural skin color. Such scars are often formed after inflammatory processes such as acne or trauma and are not painful, but like atrophic scars are highly visible.
Hypertrophic scars are formed after more severe injuries and are raised, red or purple. Keloid scars are not only raised, but can also spread and extend beyond the initial injury site, continuing to grow. These types of scars may itch or be painful.
Myth: Natural remedies are as effective as medical ones
There is a lot of information on the Internet that suggests treating scars with natural remedies, such as aloe vera or coconut oil.
However, the effectiveness of such measures has not been fully confirmed by scientific research, and in order to effectively treat scars, it is recommended to use medically approved preparations and treatment methods.
Topical preparations such as creams or gels with silicon, vitamin E, hydroquinone or hyaluronic acid may be sufficient for the treatment of small scars. By stimulating collagen synthesis and moisturizing the skin, these products can help improve the texture and color of the scar and reduce the visibility of the scar.
A microdermabrasion procedure is also effective for the treatment of superficial scars, during which special devices gently remove the upper layer of the skin, which makes the skin more even and the visibility of scars is reduced.
Hypertrophic and keloid scars can be treated with corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections to help reduce scar size, inflammation, and redness. These injections are often used in conjunction with other treatments for optimal results. More severe cases may require surgical treatment, such as scar removal or skin grafting, especially when the scars are very large, painful, or restrict movement.
Laser treatments, which are used to treat various types of scars, are also becoming increasingly popular. One of the most popular in the world is the fractional microneedle radiofrequency procedure. During it, the heat generated by radio frequency energy enters the deeper layers of the skin, stabilizes the collagen distribution and stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin fibers. The procedure is safe at all times of the year, the healing period is short, and maximum results are achieved in combination with injections of succinic acid, hyaluronic acid, PRP procedure, which accelerate healing.
Myth: Scars should be treated when they are completely healed
In order to effectively treat scars, it is very important to start the treatment in time – the earlier the treatment is started, the better the results are achieved.
According to the doctor, it is most appropriate to start treating the scar 6-12 weeks after the appearance of the scar:
“After the appearance of a scar, natural healing processes take place at first, during which you can start using local treatments – creams or gels, which will help the scar to become smoother and the texture more even. However, after the active period of scar healing, these measures become less effective and it is recommended to switch to other treatment methods,” says AG Grigaitytė.
There is more than one treatment that can be effective for treating any type of scar. When treating scars, it is especially important to first consult with a dermatologist, who will choose the most suitable treatment, taking into account the individual characteristics of the skin and the type of scar, as well as other circumstances. Correctly selected treatment can help not only reduce the visibility of scars, but also improve the overall condition of the skin.
2024-09-09 16:26:25