When your body is healing a wound, it builds new skin tissue – made of collagen, elastin, and other proteins and materials – to repair the laceration. This new tissue will have a different colour and texture than your existing skin, resulting in the appearance of a scar. Many scars will fade over time, but some remain noticeable well after your injury has healed.
Scars are caused by the new tissue produced when your body is healing from a skin laceration. This can be any type of laceration, from a relatively shallow cut to a deep incision made by a surgeon. Some types of scars, like keloid scars, are caused when your body produces too much collagen in response to an injury.
Acne scars are the result of cuts, scratches, or minor skin lacerations that can result from acne. Usually, acne scarring is caused by picking or popping pimples. There are several types of acne scars: icepick scars, which are deep and pitted; rolling scars, which are bands of scar tissue; boxcar scars, which are round or ovoid in shape; and atrophic or keloid scars, which are raised.
A stretch mark is a type of scarring that occurs when the skin’s tissue expands very rapidly. This can be due to a number of factors, including rapid weight gain or the body changes that occur during pregnancy, including the enlarging of the abdomen, hips, and breasts.
Flat scars are common scars, which often appear pink or red. This pigment may fade over time.
Keloid scars are raised scars that occur when the body produces excess collagen when healing from a wound. Keloids are formed when collagen continues to be produced even after the wound has healed.
Contracture scars are scars that occur when the skin contracts or shrinks. This type of scarring is often caused by a burn and can make the area of scarred skin tight and, therefore, difficult to move.
Dermabrasion is a type of non-surgical cosmetic procedure that uses chemical solutions or light physical abrasion to remove the outermost layer of skin, and promote new tissue healing. In doing this, scarred areas of your body will be encouraged to produce new elastin and collagen, rejuvenating areas that are scarred and improving overall skin tone and texture.
Laser treatment uses light therapy to remove the outer layer of the skin’s surface, which stimulates the growth of new skin cells.
A fractional CO2 laser passes microscopic columns of energy into deep layers of the skin, stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin. Skin cells will grow back stronger and firmer, resulting in smoother and more evenly toned skin.
Erbium skin resurfacing, like fractional laser treatments, use a laser to create small discrete micro-thermal channels or defects in the skin. When the skin heals, it is smoother, tighter, and has fewer imperfections, like scars.
Chemical peels involve the application of a chemical solution to the skin, which exfoliates and removes its outermost layers. By stimulating cell turnover and collagen production, chemical peels can help reduce the appearance of superficial scars, such as acne scars, and improve overall skin texture. The depth and strength of the peel can be customized based on the severity of the scarring, making it a versatile treatment for scar reduction.
Some topical creams and ointments, like those containing retinoids, or hyaluronic acid, can gradually reduce the appearance of scarring. In addition, applying moisturizer to your skin frequently can help minimize scarring, especially during the healing process, if your skin is injured or lacerated. However, while a good skincare regimen is important for healthy, youthful-looking skin, over-the-counter products will not be able to offer the same dramatic results as a clinical procedure.
The cost of treatment depends on factors like the type of procedure, the size and complexity of the affected area, and whether follow-up visits are needed. Non-surgical treatments, such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion, are generally more affordable and fall within a moderate price range per session. Keloid scar revision costs vary widely based on the scar’s size and severity. In contrast, surgical scar revision typically starts at a higher baseline and may increase depending on the treated area.
At SpaMedica, our expert team of clinicians will work with you to determine your primary concerns with your scars, and will help develop a treatment plan that will help restore any self-confidence that has been lost as a result of visible scarring.
Contact the clinic to book your scar revision consultation today.
In order to prevent your scars from returning, be sure to frequently moisturize your skin, and protect it from the sun. Maintaining proper hydration, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, and not smoking can also help maintain the appearance of your skin.
Dermatologists can perform scar revision procedures to improve a scar’s appearance, but complete removal is rare. Treatments aim to make scars less noticeable rather than eliminating them entirely.
Many celebrities sport stars, which do not detract in any way from their appearance, including Harrison Ford, Tina Fey, and Michael K. Williams. In most cases, they have received revision or removal treatments to minimize their scars’ appearance.
It’s recommended to begin scar revision once the surgical wound has fully healed and any sutures have been removed, typically after 2-3 weeks. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Patients suffering from scars on their body or face start their skincare journey with a complete consultation, which will explain scars, what they are and how to treat them. Our team of clinicians collaborates with you to address your scar concerns, developing a scar treatment plan aimed at restoring self-confidence.
First, we’ll ask what you dislike about the appearance of your scar, and the results you’d like to achieve with your Toronto scar revision. Then, our experts will talk you through the possible treatments available to achieve your desired goal. We’ll be honest about the pros and cons of each option, so you can make a fully informed choice.
Finally, as we believe in full treatment pricing transparency, we’ll provide an accurate quotation and ensure you are happy to proceed.
As with all our treatments, we will provide a full aftercare package, and our team will be available to address any concerns you have during your recuperation period.
Contact us to schedule your scar treatment consultation today.
Having a vertical scar at the back of your head is less than ideal. Luckily at SpaMedica we have some options that are available to fix that strip graft scar that is bugging you.
Application of chemical solutions exfoliates the skin, encouraging regeneration and reducing the appearance of superficial scars.
This procedure uses a rotating instrument to remove the outer skin layers, promoting the growth of new, smoother skin.
The fractional CO2 laser treats superficial and deep skin layers to rejuvenate, tighten and brighten the skin.
Erbium laser skin resurfacing removes the upper layer of the skin to reveal smoother and younger-looking skin.
