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A scar is a result of the body's healing response and replacing lost or damaged skin. Scars may be formed for many different reasons, including as a result of infections, surgery, injuries, or inflammation of tissue.
What is it?
When a wound starts to heal, your body produces collagen, forming a layer to cover the open area. Following this, the skin around the wound expands over the collagen until the edges converge in the center, resulting in a scar. Our team of expert dermatologists in our medical practice, located in Clarkston and Oxford, Michigan, treats a wide range of scars including hypertrophic, atrophic, keloid, and contracture scars.
Hypertrophic scars are elevated from your skin, resulting from excess collagen production. The elevated area remains within the confines of the original injury. These scars may appear red and somewhat thick. Over time, as the scar matures, hypertrophic scars may lessen.
Atrophic scars, on the other hand, are indented rather than raised from the skin. They occur when the skin is unable to reconstruct tissue. Acne is the most common cause of an atrophic scar.
A keloid is a bulky scar that continues to grow and become more noticeable than the initial scar or wound. Keloid scars can occur following an injury or skin damage from a cut, burn, body piercing or even a surgical incision. This enlarged, thicker scar arises when the body overproduces collagen – a protein found throughout the body. Darker skin tones are more susceptible to developing this type of scar. Contrary to other scars, keloid scars do not fade naturally over time.
Contracture scars develop when a large area of skin is damaged, such as from a burn. As contracture scars mature, they tighten, restricting movement.
Prior to determining the most suitable treatment, Clarkston Dermatology evaluates your scar to identify the type of scar, how long you've had it and to ensure there are no indications of other issues like skin cancer.
How is it treated?
Most scars can be diagnosed through a visual examination of the skin. We occasionally encounter underlying conditions that initially appear to be a scar. To accurately identify and treat your scar, we may perform a skin biopsy for microscopic analysis in our lab.
Once diagnosed, we can address scars with methods such as surgical blemish correction, steroid injections or creams, silicone bandages or gels, laser therapy, and cryotherapy. Book an appointment with one of our expert providers in Clarkston or Oxford, Michigan to receive a diagnosis and treatment.