Understanding Scars

If you have a scar, you will understand the impact a scar may have on your life. Scars can affect you physically, emotionally, mentally and can have a profound impact on your quality of life. Having a scar can be a journey; at each part of the journey, your scar may have different symptoms and may require different treatments. At some stages of the journey advice and treatment prevents scarring, at other stages presenting symptoms need treatment.

Scars are caused by damage to the dermis of the skin, unable to replace damaged cells the body produces scar tissue to ‘fill in’ the damaged area. Surgery is often required to help wounds heal and reduce the amount of scarring that would form if the body was left to manage the healing process. For large and deep wounds surgery does not only improve the final healing result but saves life by reducing the bodies exposure to infection and systemic failure. Many factors determine whether an injury to the skin will leave a scar and how severe the scar will be these factors include: the depth and nature of the injury, ethnicity, location of injury, time to healing, timing and type of treatment received.

Assessment and treatment from scar specialists can improve the look and feel of a scar and reassure you that you are supported and doing everything possible to end your journey at the best possible place.