Scarring is a mark/ discolouration/ change in tissue texture as a result of wound repair in the skin. Scars can result from accidents, diseases, skin conditions such as acne, or surgery. As a scar matures it changes in appearance, typically becoming paler with time.
Scarring occurs due to areas of fibrosis resulting from wound repair in the skin. Scar tissue is composed of collagen fibres, however, the fibre composition of the collagen in the scare tissue is different compared to the collagen found in the normal tissue.
Macular scars are flat hyperpigmented or hypopigmented marks (i.e. darker or lighter areas of skin).
Hypertrophic scars are scars that are raised above the surrounding skin. Keloid scars are when the scar grows beyond the wound and onto healthy tissue.
Atrophic scars are sunken and pitted in relation to surrounding tissue – i.e. scarring from acne.
Stretch marks are narrow streaks or stripes that occur when the skin is stretched too quickly. Pregnancy, puberty, and rapid weight gain can all cause stretch marks.
At Richmond Cosmetic Clinic, we offer a variety of treatment options designed to address the appearance of scars. These include: chemical peels, microdermabrasion, steroid injections for hypertrophic and keloid scars and microneedling, Platelet Rich Plasma (Dracula therapy), dermal fillers and fat injections for pitted scars. For some individuals subcision, a procedure that involves breaking up connective tissue bands with the use of a needle can be effective. Some treatments can be combined for optimal results.