Pathological Scars Treatment

Keloid Scar Removal

Cicatriz hombre

What are Pathological Scars?

Pathological Scars result of an abnormal development of the healing process of injured skin. The scars are a frequent complication of burn injuries, but can also form after piercings, cuts, or even acne. These are often thickened, wide, raised scars that may not be dangerous or threaten life but can be uncomfortable in many ways. They tend to be itchy and sore when they are rubbed by clothing or any other material, also they may have a negative effect on the way that people who suffer them perceive themselves; this can give way to depression or other psychological illnesses

What are the causes of pathological scars?

Sometimes when our skin suffers an injury body cells called myofibroblasts produce too much collagen during the healing process. Overproduction of collagen can result of the following reasons:

  • Genetic predisposition
  • Neuronal factors
  • Hormones
  • Vitamins
  • Immune system
  • Healing period
  • Surgical technic used (when it applies)
  • Infection or inflammation of the affected area
  • The wounded tissue is under a great deal of tension or motion
  • When necessary stitches are not applied

What are the Types of Pathological Scars?

There are two types of pathological scars that are similar but may require different treatment due to their specific characteristics: keloid and hypertrophic scars.

These are the main differences between keloid and hypertrophic scars:

Keloid Scars

  • Represent an overgrowth of scar tissue, which is not limited to the original borders of the wound
  • Are raised more than 4 millimeters from the skin
  • Have a low tendency toward regression
  • Are pink to purple in color
  • Evolve and grow over time
  • Form on the earlobes, shoulders, cheeks, and chest above the sternum

What are the Symptoms?

  1. Signs of keloid take from 3 months to a year to show up
  2. A keloid scar begins as a raised pink, red or purple scar
  3. It tends to darken with time
  4. It takes months to grow.  Sometimes it keeps growing for years
  5. The scar gets a strange texture: skin may be hard and rubbery or soft and doughy
  6. While growing keloids can be painful or itchy
cicatriz hipertrófica

Hypertrophic Scars

  • Hypertrophic scars do not extend beyond the original wound
  • Are raised, but rarely more than 4 millimeters above the skin
  • Have the potential for spontaneous regression after a period of month
  • Are red or pink in color
  • Can develop anywhere on the body

If you need further information, you can contact us or schedule an appointment. We’ll be glad to assist you.

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