Scars

When skin is damaged, the body produces special cells to repair it. Scars are the sections of repaired skin that do not look like natural skin even after they are healed.

Age: The older a person is, the slower the skin heals, making scars more likely.

Skin Type: In general, people with darker or very light skin are more susceptible to noticeable scarring.

Hormones: Different hormonal levels may affect the way a person’s skin scars.

Location: In places on the body where the skin is subject to tension, such as at the joints or shoulders, more noticeable scars are likely to form.

Complications: Infection/inflammation during the healing process means a higher risk of scarring.

Genetic Predisposition: Hereditary factors also play a role in the healing of the wound and, therefore, could make the skin prone to scarring.

Some scars have too much collagen and other tissues, which causes raised skin. Some have too little collagen, which causes the scar to be lower than the skin around it. Repaired skin might have no hair follicles, be less elastic (or flexible), and form longer strands of tissue compared to the skin around it. These changes create different types of scars.

Causes of scars

Scars can occur from any damage to the skin, but they can be worse if any scabs that form are removed too early. A number of other events or conditions can cause scars.

All information is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a replacement for professional medical advice. You should seek professional medical care if you have any concerns about your skin.