Why do wounds scar

This inflammation is a sign of the body's immune system kicking in to protect the wound from infection. Keep your wound clean and dry at all times to help the healing process. As the body does its healing work on the inside, a dry, temporary crust — a scab — forms over the wound on the outside. The scab's job is to protect the wound as the damaged skin heals underneath.

Under the scab's protective surface, new tissue forms. The body repairs damaged blood vessels and the skin makes collagen a kind of tough, white protein fiber to reconnect the broken tissue. When the work of healing is done, the scab dries up and falls off, leaving behind the repaired skin and, often, a scar. Why do scars look different from normal skin? Our skin is made up of two proteins: elastin, which gives skin its flexibility, and collagen, which gives it strength.

But because the body cannot create new elastin, scars are made entirely of collagen. So they're tougher and less flexible than the skin around them. Serious wounds don't heal overnight. It can take weeks for the body to build new tissue. So after you leave the hospital or doctor's office, good home care is important to prevent infection and minimize scarring. Because wounds can be so different, your doctor will give you instructions on how to take care of yourself after you go home from the hospital.

In most cases, doctors will ask patients to:. Our bodies rely on vitamins and minerals to heal. Try to eat healthy foods — especially lots of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables and lean proteins — while your wound heals. Drink plenty of water and eat high-fiber foods like whole grains to avoid constipation. Constipation can be a side effect of pain medicine. Your wound might heal quickly, but scars can take longer.

For thick scars, try massaging the area with lotion or petroleum jelly. Doing this helps the collagen mingle with the elastin in the surrounding skin, decreasing some of the scarring. But ask your doctor or a wound care nurse if massaging the wound is a good idea before you try it.

If a deep or large wound gets infected, it can be a serious problem. Call your doctor or surgeon right away if any of these things happen:. There's good news about wound healing when you're a teen: Age is on your side because young bodies heal faster. It's unlikely they'll fade any more after this time.

Stretch marks are narrow streaks or lines that appear on the skin's surface when the deeper layer of skin dermis tears. They're often caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy or puberty , or as a result of bodybuilding or hormone replacement therapy. Page last reviewed: 23 October Next review due: 23 October Overview - Scars Contents Overview Treatment.

A scar is a mark left on the skin after a wound or injury has healed. Types of scars A scar can be a fine line or a pitted hole on the skin, or an abnormal overgrowth of tissue.

Normal fine-line scars A minor wound like a cut will usually heal to leave a raised line, which will gradually fade and flatten over time. Keloid scars A keloid scar is an overgrowth of tissue that happens when too much collagen is produced at the site of a wound. The scar keeps growing, even after the wound has healed. Hypertrophic scars Like keloid scars, hypertrophic scars are the result of excess collagen being produced at the site of a wound.

Pitted or sunken scars Some scars caused by skin conditions, such as acne and chickenpox , can have a sunken or pitted appearance.

Scar contractures Scar contractures are often caused by burns. Treating scars Complete scar removal is not possible, but most scars will gradually fade over time. If scarring is unsightly, uncomfortable or restrictive, treatment options may include: topical silicone gel or silicone gel sheets pressure dressings steroids skin camouflage make-up surgery A combination of treatments can often be used.

Read more about treating scars Emotional effects of scarring Scarring can affect you both physically and psychologically. You can give your wound the best chance of healing without a scar by immediately treating it with first aid. Birthmarks, freckles, and moles are among the individual characteristics that make us unique, like the wood grain in a piece of burled walnut. Second- and third-degree burns can cause scars. Treatment options depend on the severity of your burn.

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They're tried and true. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. One of four types of scars may form after an injury: Hypertrophic scars. How to prevent scarring. How to prevent scarring after your scab falls off. How to minimize scars. Read this next.