Scar Tissue

Scar tissue is the body’s natural response to damages to the skin or organs. When the skin or an organ is damaged, the body naturally wants to heal itself. Because the body cannot re-create healthy skin or tissue, it puts together tissues that are not as functional as the original tissue but are still effective in acting as a protective, useful barrier. When the barrier is fully healed, it is known as a scar.

Scar tissue is a connective tissue which makes up a scar. It can be found in any part of the body where there has been an injury, cut, surgery, or disease that has healed. It is thicker than the tissue around it and is also paler and denser due to its limited blood supply.

In addition to problems with mobility and sensation, scar tissue is inferior to healthy, normal skin in other ways as well. The sweat glands could be damaged and hair does not grow back. In addition, there is less resistance to ultraviolet radiation which makes sunburns and skin cancer more likely. Normally, skin scars are flat and pale and show the history of the injury which caused them. In some cases, the body will produce too much scar tissue which will result in an extra thick or raised scar.

Hypertrophic scars form as red lumps on the skin and then stay within the area of the original wound. Keloid scars can cover the original wound but then continue to grow. This causes a type of tumorous growth. These scars can occur in anyone but are more common in the young and in individuals with darker skin.

True scars are never completely gone. Doctors advise patients to use vitamin E supplements or creams to speed the healing process and keep the scar tissue more supple. Surgeries are frequently available to remove scars. The risk here is that the surgery will make a new scar.

Contact a Houston Medical Spa

For more information on lessening the appearance of scar tissue, contact the Houston medical spa Dermagenix at 713-662-3376.