All About Scars: Can You Fade or Prevent Them?

Whenever the skin is wounded, a scar may form as a part of the healing process. It is the body’s natural way of repairing and replacing the skin and other tissues. A scar is composed of fibrous tissues and may have a different color than your original complexion. They can also have a raised or depressed appearance. 

Scars are often a consequence of injury or infection, but may also form as a result of surgery and skin conditions (like severe acne). Most of them will fade or improve in appearance, but never go away completely. 

What are the common types of scars? 

Scars come in different forms, shapes, and sizes. This can depend on the type of injury and severity of damage to the skin. Below are the most common types of scars.

Fine-line scars

A minor wound like a cut can lead to a flat or fine-line scar. This may appear slightly raised at first, but will then fade and flatten over time. Fine-line scars tend to form after a wound or a surgery. They may also be slightly lighter or darker than your original complexion. 

Stretch marks (striae)

These lines or streaks form when the skin expands or shrinks quickly, damaging the connective tissues underneath the skin. They often develop during puberty and pregnancy, as well as after gaining or losing a lot of weight quickly. Common areas for stretch marks include the stomach, breasts, upper arms, and thighs. 

Keloid scars

These scars form due to an overgrowth of tissue caused by excess collagen production at the location of the wound. Keloid scars can also continue growing even after the skin has healed, resulting in raised red or pink scars that can be itchy or painful. They may also limit movement if they are large, tight, or form near a joint. 

Hypertrophic (raised) scars

Like keloid scars, hypertrophic scars also have a raised appearance and form due to excess collagen at the site of the wound. The only difference is they do not grow or extend beyond the original wounded area. Hypertrophic scars, however, may thicken for up to six months. They may also improve or get smaller over a few years.

Atrophic (pitted) scars

Also referred to as pitted or depressed scars, atrophic scars are often a result of severe acne or chicken pox. These scars are indented and look like small, rounded pits in the skin. Atrophic scars are also sometimes called ice pick scars, which may appear as deep pores. They commonly appear on the face and may become more prominent as you age, as the skin loses collagen and elastin. 

Contractures

These scars are often the results of a burn and can be painful. Contracture scars can cause the skin to tighten or contract (shrink), which can lead to a restriction in movement. This is particularly true if the scar gets into the muscle or forms close to a joint. 

How can you treat or fade scars? 

The treatment will depend on the type and severity of the scar. It may also take several treatments to fade its appearance or make it a lot less visible. It is recommended to see a skin or aesthetic doctor to determine which type of treatment works best for your skin and scar. 

Treatment options for scars include: 

Chemical peels – These improve the appearance of scars by using a chemical solution that can resurface or remove the outer layer of the skin and even stimulate the production of new collagen, like VI Peel. Chemical peels can help replace damaged skin with smoother or less scarred skin. 

At Cutis, we have the TCA (Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars) peel, which is a pure solution of 70% trichloroacetic acid. This is used as a spot treatment and has been shown effective in treating deep ice pick or pitted scars. It can also improve the appearance of boxcar scars and enlarged pores

Microdermabrasion – This skin rejuvenation procedure gently exfoliates the skin and reduces congestion. Microdermabrasion can remove the outer layer of the skin, revealing a clearer and more supple complexion. It can help reduce acne (including whiteheads and blackheads), as well as improve the appearance of certain scars.

Laser treatments – There are different types of laser and light treatments that can make several types of scars less visible. Here are some of the laser treatments we have at Cutis. 

• PicoCare Laser – is an Nd:YAG picosecond laser used for tattoo and pigmented lesions. This fractional laser device also has the HEXA MLA (Micro Lens Array) handpiece, which can be used as a substitute for aggressive scar treatments like subcision. It can destroy scar tissues, lifting indented and depressed scarring.
• Laser Genesis – is a US FDA-approved laser treatment for fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and uneven skin texture. It can also improve scars, as well as treat rosacea and diffuse redness. Laser Genesis can stimulate new cell growth and collagen production. 
• Pearl Fractional Laser – is a skin resurfacing procedure that can deeply penetrate the skin. It is a fractional ablative treatment for severe sun damage, deep wrinkles, acne scarring, and other signs of aging. It can remove columns of damaged tissue and help the body stimulate new collagen. 

Microneedling (Dermapen 4) – Here at Cutis, we use an automated skin needling device called Dermapen 4. This creates miniscule needle punctures in the top layer of the skin, igniting collagen and elastin. What sets Dermapen 4 apart from other microneedling devices is that it has a dedicated scar setting and protocols for the revision of deep and atrophic scars. These include post-acne, burn, surgical, contracture, and striae scars.

Injectables – These include hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm, which fill in the gaps or creases created by scars or wrinkles. There is also a bio remodeling injectable called Profhilo, which helps stimulate collagen and elastin levels. It improves skin hydration, treats skin laxity and other signs of aging, and stimulates tissue repair, which is ideal for acne scarring. 

Corticosteroid injections – These are commonly used for improving keloid scars, flattening or making them smaller. 

Scar revision surgery – This involves getting rid of the entire scar and rejoining the skin or transplanting it from another part of the body. The surgery creates a new wound that would be closed carefully and lead to the formation of a new scar. The goal is to make the scar less visible or improve its overall appearance and condition. 

Can you prevent scars from forming?

For severe scarring like keloid or hypertrophic scars, it is best to see a doctor for treatment. For minor ones, such as fine-line scars and certain acne scars, at-home treatment can help prevent or fade them. Here are a few tips that can help: 

• Keep the wound clean and hydrated. Cover it with a bandage and protect it from direct sunlight.
• Avoid prolonged and unprotected sun exposure. When spending time outdoors, be sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 (particularly on your scars). Practice other sun protection measures like seeking shade and wearing accessories and protective clothing. 
• Use topical treatments to soothe the skin and keep it hydrated. These include gels, lotions, creams, and petroleum jelly. Skincare products with vitamins A, B, and C can help with atrophic scars. 
• Don’t pick, pop, or squeeze your acne. Doing so can only push the bacteria deeper into your skin and increase inflammation. This can also increase your risk of scarring and having dark spots. Check out the dos and don’ts of tackling your acne.

Book a consultation

If the look of your scars is making you self-conscious, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor to learn more about our scar and skin treatments.