Two types of scars are due to the body's over production of the protein collagen. The effect of scars being raised above the skin is caused by this process. The first type of scar, the hypertrophic scar, looks red and is like a lump on the skin, but it does not grow beyond the original lesion and its look improves over time. The keloid scar, on the other hand, grows without stopping and can become a large benign tumor.

Hypertrophic and keloid scars are both common on young and darker skinned persons. Although anyone can incur these scars, some have a genetic predisposition to them. These scars can be caused by surgery, accidents, or acne. In some patients, keloid scars form spontaneously.

Although they can be a cosmetic issue, keloid scars are only inactive accumulations of collagen and therefore completely harmless, painless, and non-contagious. They tend to be found on the shoulders and chest. People of Asian and African decent are more susceptible to keloid scarring.

Pitted scars occur when the scar sinks into the skin's surface. When fat or muscle under the skin decreases beneath a scar, it becomes sunken. Commonly associated with acne, this type of scarring can also be caused by an accident or surgery. A strong acne treatment gel with regenerative effects can be used to treat this type of acne scar.

Stretched skin is another type of scarring. This type of scarring happens when the skin is stretched too quickly, such as during pregnancy or a teen growth spurt. After some years, these scars diminish in appearance.

Treatments for Scars

You can never rid yourself totally of a scar. Although it can be improved, a scar will leave a mark for ever.

Simple Treatments

Some suggest that using products containing vitamin E, taking vitamin E supplements, or including plenty of vitamin E in one's diet, can help accelerate the healing process and lessen the appearance of any scar. Sources of vitamin E include nuts, eggs, wheat germ, vegetable oils and green vegetables.

On the other hand, there is another study that found that in one third of patients, vitamin E did not reduce the size, shape or color of scars and that it in fact caused allergic responses in some paitents. (Source: Baumann, Dermatologic Surgery, 1999).

Surgery

Surgical removal of scars leaves new scars that can take two years to subdue. Surgery can never eliminate a scar, but it can be used to change its alignment or shape to make it less evident.

Sometimes the surgery can make a scar even bigger, but look differently. Surgery can sometimes be necessary to eliminate a scar on the skin near a joint where it restricts movement, but it will produce another scar.

More severe scarring can occur after surgery on hypertrophic and keloid scarring, so it is not recommended.

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