Our bodies don’t care about how they look when they heal themselves. However, unsightly scars can have a negative impact on our self-esteem and mental health. While scars are a complicated matter, there’s hope for those who want to diminish the appearance of their scars.
At Dr. Ghatan Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery, in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Eliot Ghatan provides scar revisions to those who feel self-conscious about their face or body. This includes everything from mild acne scars to severe facial scarring. While the body has its own way of healing itself, technology and medicine have developed a way of fixing what’s left behind.
So what are scar revisions, and why do scars form in the first place?
Why do scars form?
There are many types of scars, and they form for many reasons. However, all of them are caused by an injury to the dermis. In response, the body produces collagen to mend the wounds and strengthen the area. However, the new skin isn’t the same after healing, and different kinds of scars can form.
Hypertrophic scars
These scars are common, and occur when the body simply heals a wound and leaves behind red, raised scar tissue. Some scars even lose color over time.
Keloid scars
This type of scarring is common in darker-skinned people, and occurs when the body overproduces collagen. The resulting keloid scars may be rounded, textured, or lumpy, and they often extend past the original injury.
Pitted scars
This kind is the opposite of keloid scars, and occurs when the skin sinks inward instead of producing collagen that protrudes outward. These scars occur when fat or muscle is lost, removing the skin’s support. Surgical scars and acne scars can be pitted.
There are many reasons why someone might have scarring. Accidents, acne, surgery, and just being alive can cause scars to form. Scars are often harmless, but they can cause emotional distress and self-consciousness. Many people with scars, especially those with facial scars, wonder if there’s a way to diminish or eliminate their scars.
How do I get rid of scars?
Scars are a complicated matter; they’re your body’s natural healing process, so they can’t be healed further. Some scars never fully go away, but there are ways to make scars less noticeable. Dr. Ghatan provides many of these treatments, including:
- Soft tissue fillers can be used to fill in pitted scars left by acne or chickenpox.
- Laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments soften and remove color from scars.
- Fraxel laser treatments remove damaged, surface-level skin and encourage collagen production.
- Nd:Yag laser treatments get rid of blood vessels that cause inflammation in scar tissue.
Every person is different, and so are their scars. You can get a personalized plan by consulting with Dr. Ghatan about what treatments benefit you most. If you’re self-conscious about your scars, schedule a scar revision consultation by calling his Ocean Parkway office at 718-253-2053 or booking an appointment online.
