If you have been injured, went through a surgery or other trauma there is a chance you might wind up with a scar. Scars may also form due to a disease or skin condition such as acne. Learn how to treat scars. Scarring is part of the natural healing process when our skin works to repair wounds. The deeper or more severe the cut or wound, the more chance we have of getting a noticeable scar. Scars can be of different shapes, sizes and textures. They can also be itchy or painful. Often we may be able to cover up noticeable scars with our clothing, but you may also want to know how to treat scars so that they become smaller or not noticeable at all.

There are several variables that will impact how your skin will handle scarring repair such as age, gender, heredity, placement of the injury and how deep and large the scar. Most scars will never go away completely but there are steps and things you can do to make them smaller and not as noticeable. In this how-to discussion we present information that includes the different types of scars and how to recognize which type you may have and the various types of scar treatments available today. It is important to also remember that your questions and concerns on scar treatments in general should be discussed with your dermatologist, doctor or healthcare provider. Always follow your doctor's directions on any treatments prescribed.

The four main types of scars are Keloid scars, Hypertrophic scars, Contracture scars and Acne scars.http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/cosmetic-procedures-scars

Keloid scars can form due to an excessive healing process and can sometimes affect mobility and cause discomfort. They are usually raised thick areas with irregular clusters and are reddish in color. They develop at the location of the injury but usually extend past the borders of the original injury or wound. This condition can arise due to over-repair of the skin. After the original skin area is filled in, the body keeps repairing the area over and over, causing the raised nodule type of scar. While keloids are considered to be a benign tumor, they usually amount to being only a visual distraction and rarely change to become a malignant tumor. http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/keloids_and_hypert.html

Keloid scar treatments vary and can include: http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/plastic_surgery/cosmetic_plastic_surgery/cosmetic_plastic_surgery_overview/scar_revision/pages/index.aspx

1. Surgery, may be indicated if the Keloid scar does not respond to other treatments,
2. Steroid injections, placed directly into the scar tissue helps to minimize itching and inflammation,
3. Pressure therapy, this involves having the scar area wrapped under pressure with a particular device that must be worn 24 hours a day,
4. Cryotherapy, a medication that will freeze the scar off.

Hypertrophic scars may sometimes look similar to a keloids but they normally do not get as big as a keloid scar and usually are contained to the size of the original cut or injury. Hypertrophic scars are generally raised in texture and can be red in color too. They may also fade and improve in appearance over time.

Hypertrophic scar treatments may include: http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/plastic_surgery/cosmetic_plastic_surgery/cosmetic_plastic_surgery_overview/scar_revision/pages/index.aspx

1. Surgery to remove the scar,
2. Steroids, which may be given oral or by injection.

Many times surgery will be combined with steroid injections to minimize the chance of the scar returning.

If your body and skin has been burned there is a good chance you will receive a contracture scar. This type of scar may effect your movement due to your skin becoming tight and constricted and can also have an effect on your muscles and tendons. This type of scarring occurs as the healthy skin and underlying tissue that remain around a burn area will try to pull in to cover and repair the burned skin. This will cause a tightening of the skin which can constrict movement.

Contracture scar treatments may include: http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/plastic_surgery/cosmetic_plastic_surgery/cosmetic_plastic_surgery_overview/scar_revision/pages/index.aspx

1. Skin grafts may be placed over the damaged area, after the scar tissue has been removed. This procedure is completed by placing healthy skin which has been taken from another place on the body and transplanting it to the damaged skin area. Skin flap surgery is similar to the graft, except with the skin flap, the area of skin that is being relocated will still have fat, muscles and blood vessels included.
2. Tissue expansion is a newer technique. It involves a medical technique that increases the amount of existing tissue for the reconstructive and surgical process.
3. Z-plasty which is a surgical technique that directs a Z-shaped cut or incision to made in the scar area to relieve some of the constricting pressure on the skin around the scar.

It is no secret, severe acne can cause scarring and depending on what type of acne you have, can determine the size and type of scars you may receive. Scarring can range from shallow textures to deep pits. There are several treatments available for acne scars. The type and severity of your acne scars will also determine which type of treatment your doctor may recommend. http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/cosmetic-procedures-scars

1. Chemical peels is generally for mild acne and it is just as it sounds, acid is used to peel layers of skin off so new skin can regrow. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10343939?dopt=AbstractPlus
2. Dermabrasion is used to treat acne scars and other skin conditions which include scar revision and skin resurfacing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12814336?dopt=AbstractPlus
3. Laser resurfacing. This technique utilizes a laser to remove skin so that a new layer of skin can replace the old. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8608377?dopt=AbstractPlus
4. Punch replacement techniques. This is a newer technique to treat severe acne scars with pits. This technique provides for precision in a precise and small area. This has added a new dimension of treatments for severe acne patients. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10971560?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstract

As you can see when learning how to treat scars it is first important to determine the type of scars you want to treat. There are various treatments and medical procedures available to you for all types and sizes of scar tissue. Your doctor or dermatologist will also recommend or prescribe creams, gels and ointments to help with scar surgery or procedure recovery and everyday scar treatment and skin replenishment.

It is very important that you discuss all of your options with your dermatologist, doctor or healthcare provider. Ask your provider questions so that you understand all of the potential risks, limitations and benefits that are associated with each of the procedures. Also inquire as to what alternative therapies are available so you can make an informed decision.