Minimize scarring and stretch marks
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Minimizing Scars
A scar is formed when the dermis is damaged. The dermis is the thicker inner layer of the skin. The body reacts to a wound by trying to heal it and forms new collagen fibers. This is the body’s reaction to an injury and it goes to work to close to avoid infection. The new tissue is textured differently than the surrounding area and creates a scar. Scars vary in color and textures. The majority of scares are flat and pale. A raised scar is often referred to as hypertrophic or keloid scar. Still other scars are sunken or pitted and often caused by acne.
There are a number of factors that impact the level of a scar. They include: age, the seriousness of the injury, location, genetics and race.
Acne scars are among the largest concern as they tend to occur in the teen years.Scar removal is a huge market. Thus, getting rid of acne scars. Some of the best acne scar removal treatments and other scar removal treatments will be discussed in the context of this hub. I have most recently become very interested in the use of lasers to reduce scarring. You may read more about laser treatments that are becoming popular in another hub that I have written by clicking here.
Many products exist, on the market, and claim to reduce the look of scars. You will reap the majority of the benefits if a product is used during the healing stages.
For burns, there are prescription strength creams for more severe situations and over the counter creams for a minor burn. Skin grafting may be necessary for the most serious of burns.
Keloid scars are sometimes treated with collagen or fat injections to help with the smoothing out of a sunken scar. The results are not permanent. Cryotherapy is a freezing type of therapy and involves the use of liquid nitrogen. This is used for smaller keloids.
Steroid injections are used to reduce scarring, most especially flat ones.
Surgical skin planning or more commonly called dermabrasion is used to reduce the look of raised scars. Laser surfacing is also used and uses a similar process as dermabrasion. It does not affect the upper layers of the skin and reduces the healing time involved.
Oral products are available and should be prescribed by a physician. Good nutrition is also an oral form that promotes healing and reduces scarring.
Corticosteroids or antihistamine products are prescribed by a doctor and help to reduce scarring. Also, there are now prescription strength patches that are placed over the area of concern.
Nature provides assistance in the form of vitamin A or C, honey, zinc and aloe vera. Oils such as lavender, evening primrose and rose hip may be applied topically.
There is Cocoa Butter that contains a powerful antioxidant that helps to reduce the look of scars.
There is also a serum called Palmer’s Scar Serum that claims to be stronger than Cocoa Buttter.
Vitamin E is also used to reduce the appearance of scars. The preferred use by most people is to open the capsule and apply the liquid directly on the scar.
Be certain to check with your doctor and ensure that you do not put any product on an open wound or you may be subjecting yourself to an infection.
Shark Liver Oil is an anit-inflamatory that comes in a spray or in a tube and claims to help reduce the look of scars. Most reviews are positive on the subject.
Silicone Sheeting is another treatment that is being used to reduce scarring. They are silicone sheets used on burns , plastic surgery, c-sections, acne, cuts, etc. They are soft and pliable sheets that conform the body’s shape. They are used independently or with other products.
Note: Anyone wishing to minimize a scar should avoid the sun as much as possible and use sun block on the scars and on all exposed skin. You may want the sun block to be stronger on the scar than on the other areas of the skin, which should help the scar to blend leading to the scar appearing less noticeable.
Some of the web sites that I came across for laser treatments are as follows: (I have no affiliation with any of these sites. I do not recommend one over another or endorse any site. Please always do your research before proceeding with any medical treatment).
http://www.celibre.com/scarsba.aspx
http://www.acnescars.com/treatment.aspx
Stretch marks are another of nature's way of scarring our bodies. Some people are more prone than others. My lovely daughter is cursed with my genes. She weighs a bit more than 110 lbs and still has stretch marks on her legs. So ladies and gentlemen, it is not that you are necessarily over weight. You do not need to live with ugly stretch marks forever any longer. Laser treatments are minimizing such blemishes. The following video will further explain in detail the process of eliminating stretch marks.
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