Hypertrophic & Keloid Scar Removal

Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic scars grow indefinitely but they are restricted to the site of the wound. They form due to the overproduction of collagen which is what makes the scar raise. It's usually pink or flesh colored and occurs mostly on the chest, back, shoulders and ear lobes. They can be caused by a number of factors which include burns, insect bites, injections and/or tattoos. However, the formation seems to be caused by a hereditary factor.

Keloids

Keloids are formed after the skin has gone through some kind of trauma. The body attempts to heal the lesion by generating collagen, but people who are prone to keloids create too much of this substance. This causes the scars to grow past the limit of the wound. Keloids are basically characterized by that they don't know when to stop.

Keloids are pink, brown, purple or flesh colored and are irregularly shaped. They tend to grow progressively and they unfortunately do not subside. Keloids can be especially difficult to have because they can be very tender to the touch and itchy.

How to Treat Raised Scars

Both imperfections are very difficult to eliminate. Nevertheless, there are some scar removal options:

Laser Therapy: One of the most effective ways to remove hypertrophic and keloid scars is by undergoing laser therapy. The procedure peels off its top layer to encourage proper healing.

Steroid Injections: This treatment is normally used when the scar is just beginning to grow. It prevents it from raising beyond what it should. It may also reduce the size of preexisting marks. Nevertheless, these injections are quite painful and require anesthesia.

Surgery: You may choose to get rid of keloid or hypertrophic scars by undergoing surgery. It's often followed by compression therapy to prevent the scar from rising. Unfortunately, in most cases a raised scar will replace the old keloid, albeit in a smaller size.

source: ezinearticles.com

Discover the Best Scar Removal Tips and Tricks

Acne scars are annoying and keeping them can be frustrating. Psychologists have found out that facial scars can trigger depression and inferiority complex to both young and adult. Read through to learn the best way to get rid of acne scars-without having to undergo expensive and painful surgeries.

As a general rule, natural and non-invasive procedures are best. They are affordable and they do not cause severe side-effects. For newly healed pimples, you may topically apply vitamin E or take vitamin E capsules to heal them "from the inside." There are also other topical solutions and ointments that can enhance shedding of the scar tissues. Some are derived from animals like snails. It is advised to seek a dermatologist's opinion on the type of solution, even if it is an over-the-counter medicine.

Of course, it is important to remember basic skin care. Regularly wash your face with gentle soap or cleanser to prevent excessive oil and growth of new pimples. New acne will make the skin hypersensitive and unfit for both natural and clinical treatments. After all, the best way to get rid of acne scars is to prevent new acne from showing up! Avoid make-up whenever possible and do not sleep with it on.

The next best way to get rid of acne scars is through plant extracts. Aloe, olive and tomatoes are rich in compounds and vitamins that can promote skin-cellular growth. New skin tissues will naturally push the dead cells, causing the scar to shed off. These extracts also reduce the pigmentation of keloid and hypertrophic (elevated) scars.

source: ezinearticles.com

Diminish Stretch Marks And Scars

There is an ingrediente found in Nature that utilizes biological activators of your own body's skin growth factors and natural enzymes used to avoid and treat stretch marks (stria atrophica, striae distensae). It dissolves or "digests" damaged skin cells, triggers the renewal of collagen and elastin and the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans from within the basal layers of the skin.

GAGs are intricate polysaccharides (sugar chains) that collaborate in the regulation of physiological processes through their connections with proteoglycans and with a wide selection of proteins. The lessening of glycosaminoglycans from the skin weakens the supportive inter-cellular matrix and results in debilitated, inelastic and generally unfirm skin, both on the face and body.

GAGs and proteoglycans have a large water holding capacity, occupy a large space in the extracellular matrix and fill an important part of the intercellular space between the collagen and elastin fibres. They play a crucial part as shock absorbents and provide binding, hydrating and swelling pressure to tissues allowing them to endure compressional forces and thus avoid tearing and scarring of the deep layers of the skin during pregnancy, growth spurts, overstretching due to body building (in association with steroids) or over stretching by weight gain. They also play an essential role in cell multiplication, migration and adhesion. Proteoglycans and GAGs are found to be important molecules during wound repair through their influential role in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.

When wounds occur and the level of proteoglycans is not adequate aberrant scars form (keloid and hypertrophic scars). GAGs need to be over-synthesized during the early stage of wound healing and return to their original level in the remodelling phase. The combination of collagen and GAGs provides adequate firmness to tissues and help them to become resistant to further enzymatic (collagenase) digestion.

A PRODUCT MADE WITH A ORGANIC INGREDIENT THAT WAS CREATED TO HELP STRETCHMARKS AND MUCH MORE. Its formula:

*Prevents stretch marks during pregnancy and can be applied safely while breastfeeding.

*Shrinks and can efficiently fade away newly formed red stretch marks.

*Helps to quickly diminish old stretch mark scars when applied together with an exfoliating or abrasive home massage program.

*Dissolves or "digests" scar tissues and helps the process of bringing new collagen and elastin into the skin, cumulative effects of new collagen and elastin are more noticeable every day and become permanent.

*Produces remarkable scar reduction in weeks even after third degree skin burns & surgical scars.

*Alleviates and softens scar contractures when applied into skin after burn healing.

*Aids attachment of skin grafts and flaps and recovery after scar revision.

*Prevents keloid scarring and hypertrophic scars, stops keloids itching.

*Accelerates keloid/raised scar reduction & can be applied below pressure/silicone sheets.

*Helps eliminate thick hypertrophic scars.

*Promotes rebuilding of microcirculation. Accelerates skin rejuvenation after scar subcision, glycolic peel, laser surgery, micro-dermabrasion or needling.

*Restores a younger skin by eliminating damaged proteins and replacing them with blemish free skin.

source: ezinearticles.com

Laser Scar Removal - Ridding Your Body of Scars

Every scar has a story and although it may be an entertaining one, most people don't want to retell the story every time it is exposed in public. In all seriousness, they may be painful, inconvenient, and the source of deep self-esteem issues. Laser scar removal may be helpful in reducing their appearance and resolving the deeper physical and emotional effects that often accompany them.

What causes scars?

When the skin is damaged, it goes through a natural wound-healing process that includes inflammation, tissue growth, and the production of collagen. Through this process scars virtually fade away over time.

But sometimes the damage to the skin is very severe and certain abnormalities in this process can occur leaving more permanent reminders. Some examples of common abnormalities include the over production or under production of collagen. When this and other irregularities take place, permanent scarring may occur.

What kind of scar do you have?

There are three kinds of scars: atrophic, keloid, and hypertrophic.

* Hypertrophic types are pinkish, raised markings that remain within the outline of the original wound area. They are firm and may worsen or improve over time.
* Keloids are reddish-purple, raised disfigurements that extend beyond the outline of the original wound area. They are firm and more apparent on people with darker complexions, and may also worsen over time.
* Atrophic scars are depressions in the skin caused from abrasion or are often the result of certain skin conditions or diseases such as acne.

How can Laser Scar Removal help?

All three types of disfigurements can be successfully treated by laser treatment. It is important to note that this treatment will not completely eliminate marks but can significantly reduce their appearance.

How does Laser Scar Removal work?

Trained professionals will direct a laser at the skin and sometimes the surrounding area. The laser delivers a high concentration of light energy which removes a layer of skin to give the body a fresh appearance. The ablated layer of skin will slowly be replaced and the scarred area will appear more even in color and texture.

This treatment also stimulates the growth of appropriate amounts of collagen in the underlying skin layers. Depending on the severity and type of marking, a person may be required to return for additional treatments.

Laser Scar Removal is not for everyone

Some individuals may not be good candidates for laser treatment. Those with fair skin can benefit far more from laser treatment than those with darker complexions. Also, certain skin disorders such as dermatitis or psoriasis may disqualify a person from treatment. There are also medications that should not be taken while receiving treatment.

Any person who is concerned or feeling self-conscious about a raised, growing, or prominent scar, should consult with a certified and experienced dermatologist to see if this treatment is a possible solution.

Laser scar treatment can significantly reduce the appearance of scars and give you smoother, clearer skin. This technique is not for everyone, but for those who meet the criteria, it can make a life-changing difference.

source: ezinearticles.com

The Best Scar Removal Treatment, Which Cream Or Product Should You Use?

There are many different types of over the counter scar treatment products available. Commonly used products are the topical use of vitamin E, scar creams based on vitamin E or onion extract like Mederma, cocoa butter, cucumber butter, lime juice, Aloe Vera, Bio Oil, skin remodeling copper peptides and so on. The truth however is that, in contradiction to the abundant positive reviews, most of these natural home remedies are not effective at all.

For example Mederma, a nowadays very popular scar removal cream containing onion extract, does not seem to improve scar appearance and has not shown any benefit over petroleum lubricants.

Various studies show the onion extract gel did not improve scar appearance when compared with a petrolatum-based ointment. A leading dermatology website advices doctors to tell their patients that using this product will likely not cause any harm but will not lead to an improvement either.

This applies to the other aforementioned home remedy scar treatment products as well. For example the topical application of vitamin E on scars.

Clinical trials illustrate that vitamin E provides no more effect than other emollient-type ointments, and hydration appears to be its only beneficial effect. Furthermore, topical vitamin E may actually cause more harm than good, possibly worsening a scar's appearance and causing contact dermatitis (red rash), and other skin irritations in a large percentage of patients.

The conclusion of examining all these studies and clinical trials is that, either there are no significant improvements or there has not been done any research to determine the efficacy of the product. (On Lime, cucumber and lemon juice and cocoa butter are no studies done) Flagrant exception is silicone scar treatment. Several randomised clinical trials have shown that treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars with silicone gel sheets significantly and clinically improved the appearance of scars. It will not surprise that silicone sheets, recommended by many plastic surgeons, burn centers and dermatologists, are called 'the golden standard in scar treatment'. However early treatment is ideal, silicone gel sheets may also be beneficial for older scars

Another, possible effective scar treatment is the use of honey on wounds and scars but more research has to be done. With honey being very beneficial for wound care, a recent review (evaluated the results of 22 clinical trials involving more than 2,000 patients) concluded that honey also minimizes scarring, removes infected and dead tissue and speeds healing by stimulating new tissue growth.

A 1996 study from India showed that burns treated with honey healed sooner than those treated with conventional methods (petrolatum and gauze) and that scarring was reduced. (6.2% of the 450 patients treated ended up with scars compared to 19.7% of the same number of patients who received conventional treatment) So these preliminary studies are promising regarding honey and its scar fading properties. More dermatologists say applying honey to a healing wound or existing scar has not shown to be harmful and may improve scar appearance.

When asked what the best advice concerning this matter is, one must not only think in terms of products (except silicone sheets and maybe honey) but more in terms of what you can do to improve the appearance of a scar. For instance, scar massage can help a lot. Then there are recent trials that show an increased temperature will significantly increase collagenolysis (the process that decreases scar tissue) So heat application e.g. by paraffin wax can be a potent improving measure. Furthermore, hydration is essential. Keeping the scar tissue and surrounding skin moisturized adds to effective scar management.


source: ezinearticles.com

Types of Scars and Their Removal

Many people consider scars to be signs of adventures or bravery. Others are embarrassed by large, unsightly scars. Either way, our skin forms these marks as part of the natural healing process. Based on the injury type and the skin's response, as well as age, heredity, gender, and ethnicity, our bodies can form several different types of scars.

Scars usually take 12-18 until they are fully developed. Thus, you may have to wait about year until you know how your scar will actually look. These marks form as the result of an injury to our body's largest organ, the skin. Skin responds to injuries by producing collagen, a structural protein that helps hold our skin firm and elastic. Injuries that can cause scars include stretching, burns, punctures, lacerations, and acne. Also, things like bacterial or fungal infections or even viruses can prompt the skin to scar.

Typically, a scar starts the healing process red, puckered, and often puffy. However, it usually flattens out and becomes paler as it ages. These marks are sensitive to sunlight, and exposure to UV rays can actually harm the healing process and discolor your scar.

The main types of scars include:

Keloid - these marks can be embarrassing because they are the result of an overly aggressive healing process. This causes a buildup of skin, and it can even extend beyond the boundary of the wound itself.

Contracture - the mark associated with burns, these can cause your skin to tighten to the point that you lose mobility. Also, these can go deeper than the skin to interfere with the muscles and nerves underneath.

Hypertrophic - like keloids, these can be red and raised. However, they remain only in the area of injury.

Atrophic - these are the opposite of hypertrophic scars in that they are more pit-like rather than raised like keloids. Acne pit scars are a type of atrophic scarring.

Acne - these scars vary depending on the type of acne you had. You may have pits caused by atrophic scarring, or something more wavelike or angular in appearance.

The treatment of an unsightly scar depends mostly on what type of mark you have. Topical medications that can be prescribed or bought over-the-counter are best for small, surgical incisions or acne. Sometimes, a doctor may choose to give you steroid injections. These are commonly used for keloid or hypertrophic scarring. Smaller keloids can be treated with cryotherapy, or freezing.

Sometimes, surgery is necessary to remove all of a bad scar. Skin grafts, excision, dermabrasion, or laser surgery are all options that you may consider when getting rid of excessive scarring. However, it is a good idea to wait about a year before you decide to have your mark surgically removed as the scar can change with time.

source: ezinearticles.com