What is a Hypertrophic Scar?

What is a Scar?

A scar is when fibrous tissues bond to replace skin that has been damaged through an injury or surgery. This is a normal process that happens to repair any wound on the skin and deeper tissues in the body. Scars are a very natural occurrence during the process of healing. Most lesions, unless they are minor in nature, wind up scarring in some fashion.

Scar tissue is different from the skin. Hair does not grow back for one thing. Also, it is usually not as flexible and elastic as the skin it replaces.

A Hypertrophic Scar

A hypertrophic scar is a red thick scar and it can happen from an injury to the skin or surgery. Hypertrophic scars grow only in the immediate area of the skin injury. It is the keloid scars that can grow outside into the area outside the injuries. Both scars can be similar in size and shapes at times.

Unlike the keloid scar, however, the hypertrophic scar heals by itself. It can take about 12 to 18 months for the size to decrease and the tenderness to subside. These scars do not totally disappear though.

Hypertrophic scars and keloid can be caused by similar events. They can happen from injections, surgery (including skin surgery), injury, but also from acne and body piercing.

Hypertrophic scars have nothing to do with family history or ethnic background as the keloid scars. But in both types of scars, the collagen levels are higher than in average scar tissue. Hypertrophic scars usually form on the ears, shoulders, and breastbone, but they can form other places on the body too.

The Healing of Hypertrophic Scars

The hypertrophic scar usually heals with no assistance, with the swelling and sensations of pain decreasing in about 12 to 18 months. Certain things can be done to speed up this process. One such thing is by using injections of steroids or the topical application of steroid cream or ointments. These can assist the scar in decreasing in appearance.

Hypertrophic scars removal can be surgically accomplished by using such methods at Z-plasty, this can produce very noticeable results. The only drawback to this is that hypertrophic scarring can occur from this method due to its surgical nature. This should only be done by a board certified plastic surgeon.

Today though modern technology also has provided the use of silicone sheets to help hypertrophic and other scars heal. The individual wears the silicone sheets for a certain length of time daily to get results. The silicone stimulates the skin to heal itself. Over time, the scars improve in appearance greatly.

A person needing to treat a hypertrophic scar to speed up healing needs to consult a physician to make sure which path to take. But, as explained in this article, there are many methods for either speeding up healing or hypertrophic scars removal. There is a method to suit the needs of all people suffering with these scars. Just be sure to follow a doctor's advice to get maximum results.

source: ezinearticles.com