Many of these will mature normally over time. Immature scar – A red, sometimes itchy or painful, and slightly elevated scar in the process of remodeling. Every attempt should be made to convert a suboptimal scar into an ideal scar although it may not be always possible. In this article, we review various treatment options for scars and an attempt is made to help the reader make a treatment plan for his/her particular patient.Īn ideal scar is thin and flat, has a good color match with the surrounding skin, is oriented along the relaxed skin tension lines (RSTLs), and does not produce any distortion of adjacent tissues.Īny scar that does not fit the above definition is a suboptimal scar. It is vitally important to counsel the patient about the expected outcome. Finally, the patient may associate the scar with a personal failure – inability to impress a girlfriend or inability to get promoted – and may be looking at treatment of the scar as a means of success in his/her endeavors.Īfter proper assessment and adequate counseling, it is our duty to offer the patient rational treatment options which have good clinical evidence. A scar may cause cosmetic deformity and the patient may seek treatment merely to “look more normal.“ The scar may be an unpleasant reminder of a traumatic past and the patient may seek to erase its memories by erasing the scar. A scar may cause discomfort, tightness or even pain. Why then do patients come to plastic surgeons seeking disappearance of their scars? A scar may impede function – as in case of a contracture running across a joint. Indeed, one scar borne by the entire humanity – the umbilical cicatrix is not just acceptable but highly desirable. Rana Sanga's innumerable scars were testimony to the many battles he fought and survived while Harry Potter's “lightning bolt“ scar captured the imagination of an entire generation. They find mention in history as well as literature. Scars are an integral part of human life.
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