Adult Female Acne – Emotional Scars and Stigma

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While acne is often viewed as an issue faced mainly by teenagers, there are some adult females who experience acne on an ongoing basis. The issue of adult female acne, as well as acne scars, can cause people to feel less attractive, less confident, and less successful or happy as others. Keep reading to learn more about the issue of adult female acne and the emotional impact it can have on members of the public.

Adult Female Acne – Research Reveals Impact on Adults

Research results presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2023 spotlighted the effects of multiple anatomical variants of acne on both social perception and natural gaze patterns. In order to obtain the results, the research team tracked the eye movements of 245 participants. The average age of the participants was 31.63 years; SD: 10.63. The group of participants viewed both emotional and neutral faces of females who have what is considered to be clear skin as well as those with clinically relevant anatomical variants of acne. The emotions on their faces included feelings such as “angry,” “happy,” and “neutral.” The images viewed by the study group were rated for acne-related visual disturbances while the emotional faces were rated for valence intensity (the “good or bad” of an object, situation, or event).

There was also a separate group of 205 online survey respondents with an average age of 35.08 years; SD: 11.48. This group of respondents was asked to rate the personality traits of the individuals who were shown in the images. When it comes to the results of the study, the survey found that faces that had acne were viewed as being less attractive, less trustworthy, less confident, less successful, and less dominant. It was also noted that the results revealed that adult acne that was concentrated on females around the “U-zone” (located around the mouth, jawline, and chin) received the lowest scores related to attractiveness. In addition, these faces were considered to be the most visually disturbing. Plus, happy faces that contained female adult acne were also rated as having a look that was less happy than faces with clear skin.

Adult female acne

Adult Female Acne – Increase in the Occurrence on Female Faces

In the last decade, a 10% increase in adult acne has been reported in females across the globe. The acne experienced by females commonly impacts the chin and jawline. However, acne can appear on any area of the face. When adult acne forms on the body, it can have a serious psychological impact on how they view their appearance and even lead to depression, low self-esteem, and social isolation.

Even though the genetics of a person plays the biggest role in the formation of adult acne, there are other factors that can cause the development of adult acne including hormones, stress, and the diet of the individual person. There have been multiple studies in the past that have shown how the perception of less-than-ideal physical characteristics when it comes to the appearance of a person can lead someone to experience some level of emotional distress. These instances of emotional distress can include poor health, social isolation, and higher amounts of biological stress. There have also been instances where the appearance of a person has been shown to play a part in their search for a job, including whether or not the person is hired for a position.

Adult Female Acne – Author of the Study Speaks Out

The lead author of the study, Dr. Marek Jankowski, discussed the findings of the study. “With over a decade of experience in the field, I’ve consistently seen that adult female acne leads to more social challenges compared to adolescent acne. The findings therefore reaffirm this. However, what was truly surprising was images depicting generalized acne, covering a large area with more lesions, received more positive ratings than images featuring adult female acne occurring in the ‘U-zone.’”

Dr. Jankowski went on to discuss the implications of the study results. “Treatment needs to focus on improving the quality of life of patients, not just reducing the surface area impacted by the acne. Unfortunately, this is not currently a goal when treating acne, with therapeutic guidelines still advocating for certain treatment modalities based on the number of lesions, irrespective of their location. Unsurprisingly, acne severity scores do not correlate with quality-of-life scores in patients with acne. These results emphasize the emotional and psychological burden experienced by individuals with acne.”

Women who have adult female acne are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a medical professional who is experienced in treating the issue. The doctor can examine the face of the person to determine the extent of the acne outbreak and also form a treatment plan. Depending on the preference of the doctor, adult female acne can be addressed by treatments as varied as fillers, dermabrasion, chemical peels, laser resurfacing, light therapy, and laser therapy (to name some of the most popular treatment options).

Scars on the Legs – How to Reduce Them

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Scars on the legs can include both raised and discolored scars that can impact their appearance. Thankfully, scars on the legs can be treated by multiple techniques including medical procedures and various medications that can help to reduce their appearance.

Scars on the Legs – How They Can Be Treated

In general, the best way to reduce the look of scars on the legs is to properly treat the wounds on the legs so there is less of a chance of scars forming. Some of the ways to properly treat wounds on the legs include cleaning the injured area, covering the skin with a bandage, stitching the wound (if necessary), and applying petroleum jelly to the wound to keep it moisturized. Some additional options to treat the wound include laser therapy, pressure therapy, and cryosurgery.

Remove scar on your leg

Scars on the Legs – Types of Scars

It is important to remember that the treatment used on the scar depends on the type of scar as well as the cause of the scar. The most common types of scars include:

  • Atrophic scars which are flat or depressed scars on the skin. These scars, which include acne scars, can often be a darker color than the skin that surrounds them.
  • Keloid scars are scars that are raised and thick in appearance. This type of scar is dark in color and grows outwards from the impacted area.
  • Hypertrophic scars are darker than the surrounding skin and they are located over the impacted skin.
  • Contracture scars can form after a burn in areas where a large portion of the skin has been damaged or lost. The skin that surrounds this type of scar will be tight and shiny in appearance. Scars from burns form due to the extra collagen that the body produces to help the burn heal. In addition to contracture scars, burns can also cause keloid scars and hypertrophic scars.

Scars on the Legs – How to Treat Atrophic Scars

An atrophic scar has a depressed look because the skin that has been damaged is not able to regenerate any tissue. A chemical peel can be placed on the scar to destroy the damaged skin layer so healthier skin is revealed under the older, damaged skin. Filler can be injected into the targeted area to raise the indented scar, so it matches the look of the surrounding skin. In addition, a punch excision uses a needle to remove the scar tissue and then the area is closed with stitches.

Scars on the Legs – Natural Remedies

Essential oils encourage the growth of skin cells in the impacted area. Some of the most common essential oils that can be used to treat scars on the legs include lavender oil, rosehip seed oil, tea tree oil, and geranium oil.

A massage is able to flatten or soften the scar as well as prevent scar tissue from sticking to bones, nerves, blood vessels, and muscles.

The removal of dead skin cells is accomplished by exfoliation, and this can be performed by using a loofah and an exfoliating cleaner. After the exfoliation process is over, the area should be dried, and a moisturizer should be applied to it.

Scars on the Legs – Remedies to Perform at Home

Medical tape can be placed over the wound while sunscreen can be used on scabs to prevent any additional discoloration. Silicone sheets can be purchased at a store, and they should be placed on the wound after it is closed.

Once the wound closes and heals, this is the time to try a massage on the impacted area. Once the scab has fallen off the body, sunscreen should be used to help the wound heal faster and avoid any additional discoloration. Plus, moisturizers that include essential oils help to keep the skin supple.

Scars on the Legs – Help from a Doctor

A licensed dermatologist can apply a dressing that exerts pressure on the wound and helps speed up the healing process. Laser therapy can be performed to remove damaged skin while cryosurgery freezes the scar and destroys scar tissue. A corticosteroid injection can be placed directly into the scar in order to reduce its size.

The doctor can also perform treatments such as subcision, skin needling and punch excision to reduce the appearance of the scar.

Scars on the Legs – How to Start the Treatment

Whether the patient wants to perform their treatment at home or have a licensed and trained doctor address the look of the scar, the first step is to consult with a doctor and have the medical professional examine the current condition of the scar. The doctor can determine the severity of the scar as well as the ideal treatment for the scar. The doctor can also set realistic expectations so the patient will know the type of results they can expect to see after treating their scar.

TikTok Scar Girl Scandal – Details Here

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For almost two years, Annie Bonelli, who is known as “Scar Girl” on TikTok, has been questioned by viewers about the scar on her face. For the past several months, the questioning has grown as TikTok viewers are trying to determine if the scar is real or fake. The new questions about the scar came about once the long, linear scar on the cheek started to change in length, shape, and color.

#ScarGirl – Scandal or Not?

Videos featuring the hashtag #ScarGirl have been viewed over 359-million times on TikTok and the discussion surrounding Bonelli has been expanded by creating the hashtag, #ScarGirlExposed. Some of the videos include breakdowns of her video to feature frame-by-frame examinations including people accusing her of using makeup to darken the look of her scar. There are videos that make fun of her scar, but Bonelli says she has “thick skin” when it comes to posts on social media.

The eighteen-year-old told NBC News, “My parents always told me, ‘Don’t say things about people’s bodies, don’t make comments about other people, don’t say things about what other people can’t control.’ I feel like on social media people get so comfortable, especially with influencers in general, to make comments on things because they don’t always view them as real people. Like, I’m a real person.”

Annie Bonelli known as scar girl

Scar Girl – Possible Reason for the Interest in Her Suspected Scandal

Brooke Erin Duffy, who is an associate professor of communication at Cornell University, says the ongoing interest in the story of the scar is an example of social media “authenticity policing.” According to Duffy, this occurs when people continuously view the self-presentation of a person as being deceptive or fake. Online audiences are often drawn to influencers who seem to be authentic which means they become angry when they think a creator is creating content for the wrong reasons.

Bonelli, whose handle on TikTok is @wtmab, said she used to avoid talking about her scar until the recent interest in its appearance. She has over 750,000 followers and says she was trying not to mention the scar because “it’s not who I am. So I think it honestly just sparked more curiosity with people.”

Her attempts to address the gossip about her scar have been met with skepticism by some TikTok users in the comment section of her videos. Bonelli said she has learned to accept the fact that “you can’t please everyone. I’m continuing to live my life, especially in spite of the hate. There’s people that are always going to say something, and I shouldn’t let that faze me.”

Scar Girl – When Did the Scat First Appear?

According to Bonelli, her scar appeared when she was fifteen years of age and a junior in high school. She does not want to share any specific details about how she got the scar as she considers it to be a personal subject. “Looking in the mirror, sometimes it can be hard because I know exactly where it’s from. But at the same time, I feel like in a way it’s empowering. It’s like, you know, I got through that.”

While the scar started to fade after a few months (as seen in some of her 2021 videos), its appearance began to worsen after she tried to use a topical treatment to fade the initial scar. Instead, she got a chemical burn which created a new wound located on top of the scar.

She described the chemical burn as “bubbly and bloody and gross. That turned into a new wound on top of it, which is why [the scar became significantly longer, because I just sloppily put it on.” The topical treatment did not come from a doctor, and she also delayed seeing a doctor after the chemical burn because of a fear of doctors. She did start to see a dermatologist in August of last year who is putting her on a new treatment to fade the scar.

Scar Girl – Attempts to Prove the Scar is Real

Since the scar on her face involves two separate injuries, Bonelli says people don’t understand that fact and that is part of the reason they are so interested in her scar.

In January of this year, she made a video wiping her scar with a makeup remover in order to prove the authenticity of the scar. However, the video did not succeed in changing the mind of her doubters. Some commentators demanded she scrub the scar “really hard” to prove it is real while others do not believe her scar could change shape or become darker in appearance.

Anyone interested in the healing of a scar should know that scars can heal either lighter or darker and it depends on the specific circumstances of the treatment or injury. If the scar is exposed to sunlight or is injured due to trauma, the scar can become darker in color.

Bonelli has received some support online including support from some skeptics of her story who feel that others have taken the debate over the scar too far by showing hate in her comments section.

Bonelli has made the choice to remain positive about her situation as it has given her a platform and allowed her to receive messages of support from those with similar scars and experiences. She wants to encourage people to embrace their scars and to also use her platform to advocate for body positivity and domestic violence awareness.

Microneedling – Does it Help Surgical Scars Fade?

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While it is not always the case, there is a good chance of scars appearing on the treated part of the body after a surgical procedure. The idea of scarring on the body is not one that many people find appealing, so they turn to cosmetic surgery procedures to try and lessen the extent of the scarring and even reduce their appearance to the point that they fade on the skin. One technique that patients often use to address the appearance of surgical scars is microneedling. Take a look at the informative article below to learn more about how microneedling addresses surgical scars.

Microneedling – How it Improved the Look of Scars

A small study has suggested that microneedling can help surgical scars heal in a more aesthetically appealing manner if it is performed within a couple of months of the formation of the scars.

Researchers discovered that microneedling improved the long-term look of scars in twenty-five patients, after various surgical procedures, according to the ratings and feedback of both doctors and patients. It was also revealed that the sooner microneedling was performed, the better the extent of the results. For example, patients who decided to have their first microneedling treatment within six or seven weeks of having a surgical procedure saw the best results. These results are actually the opposite of past ideas about when to have microneedling as many doctors would advise their patients to wait and have microneedling until the scars were at least a year old.

Microneedling helps surgical scars heal more aesthetically

Microneedling – What is it?

Microneedling is a procedure that is also known as minimally invasive percutaneous collagen induction. During the treatment, the doctor uses a hand-held device that has a tiny needle that creates micro-punctures in the skin of the patient. The procedure is able to stimulate the production of collagen to help the skin maintain a look that is smooth and firm. It is often performed to address issues with the skin such as stretch marks and wrinkles as well as reducing the look of scars caused by acne or surgical procedures.

One of the reasons that doctors would tell patients to wait about a year to treat their scars is the fact that scars will often “mature” for about twelve months. However, this also means that patients are missing a chance to enhance the ability of the skin to repair itself.

Microneedling and Scarring – Study Results

According to Dr. Brannon Claytor, lead researcher and the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Main Line Health, and also Claytor/Noone Plastic Surgery in Bryn Mawr, PA, surgical wounds are far enough along in the healing process to start microneedling sessions around six weeks after surgery. Dr. Claytor feels that this time period is safe enough to improve the appearance of scarring.

In a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the team led by Claytor studied twenty-five female patients who were seeking some form of treatment for the scars that appeared after a surgical procedure. Some of the surgeries that the participants had included tummy tuck, facelift, breast surgery, and the removal of skin growths that were non-cancerous.

Each of the patients started the first microneedling treatment, out of a series of three treatments, within six to sixteen months after their surgery. The women who took part in the study also followed a skincare regimen during this time period.

When they were examined sixteen weeks after their first microneedling treatment, each of the patients showed an improvement in the look of their treated scars as opposed to patients who started their treatment anywhere from thirteen to sixteen weeks after a surgical procedure.

Claytor said, “Early treatment of acute scars was safe. And the really exciting part was, we found evidence that it improved patients’ results.” The research team did acknowledge that the study was small in size and that the results offer doctors and patients a “proof of concept” that an earlier treatment is a better idea than waiting until later in the healing process.

It should be noted that the study did not have a comparison group of patients who had scars that were left untreated by microneedling to heal on their own. The lack of a comparison group makes it difficult to assess how much of the improvement in the scarring was due to the microneedling treatment and how much was due to the natural healing of the scars.

Having said that, it was easy to notice the difference between the look of the scars that were treated earlier than the scars that were treated at a later time by a doctor.

Patients also need to realize that each person is different which means the results of their healing process might not be the same as other patients. They should schedule a consultation appointment with a doctor who is experienced in treating scars after a surgery with microneedling in order to get a better idea about the type of results they can expect to see after microneedling is performed on their scars.

Keloid Scars – How to Get Rid of Them

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Anyone who has ever experienced some form of trauma on their body knows it takes proper aftercare to keep the impacted area from getting infected or developing a scar (including a keloid scar). Patients who are not sure what causes a keloid scar, or how to prevent them, should read this informative article to get the inside scoop on keloid scars and how to get rid of them.

Keloid Scars – What are They?

In general, a keloid scar can be defined as an overgrowth of scar tissue that often spreads outside the boundaries of the original scar or injury to the body. Keloid scars are often visible as itchy, firm and/or painful bumps that are present at the site of an earlier injury to the skin. The earlier injury can be some form of trauma to the body as well as a piercing or lesion that is located on the body.

It should be noted that it takes some time for keloids to form on the body. They tend to take anywhere from three to six months to appear and these scars normally begin as a raised scar that is located on the surface of the skin. The keloid scar tends to grow slowly.

It is also important to realize that keloid scars should not be confused with other raised scars. Overall, keloid scars have around three times more collagen than raised, thick scars that are known as hypertrophic scars.

What is keloid scars

Keloid Scars – Who Can Get Them and Why?

While almost anyone can develop a keloid scar, there are some factors that can increase the chances of one developing on the body. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “About one-third of people who get keloids have a first-degree blood relative (mother, father, sister, brother, or child) who gets keloids. This family trait is most common in people of African or Asian descent.”

It is also recommended that people who are at a higher risk of developing keloids avoid having an elective procedure on an area of the body that is known for keloid formation (such as the chest and upper back). Even though keloids most often occur after a scar, there are also “spontaneous keloids” that can appear on skin that has not been injured. This most often happens to people who have a history of keloid formation, in their family or a personal experience, and it is highly likely that more than one keloid will present at the same time.

At the moment, it is not clear which mechanisms in the body cause some people to develop a scar in this manner. However, research has indicated that chronic inflammation can play a part in their formation.

Keloid Scars – How to Prevent Them from Forming

The ability to prevent keloid scars is difficult since there is not a lot of information on why some people get them and others do not after an injury. While there is not anything that can be done to prevent the occurrence of spontaneous keloids, there are some steps that can be taken to try and minimize the growth of these scars soon after an injury.

Proper wound care should be performed in order to prevent an infection. In addition, a scar sheet that is silicone-based should be applied as soon as possible to the wounded area on the body. In addition, the massaging of the scar tissue using a silicone gel is also helpful when trying to prevent a keloid scar from forming. If an ear piercing shows the skin in the piercing area is starting to thicken, the piercing should be removed and then replaced with a pressure earring.

Keloid Scars – Getting Rid of Them

There are some suggestions for home remedies to heal keloids, but the best advice is to schedule an appointment with a medical professional who is experienced in treating this condition.

For example, many dermatologists offer steroid injections that, after multiple treatments, can decrease the amount of thickness of keloid scars. Plus, laser and light-based therapies such as CO2 lasers and LED light therapies have been shown to improve their appearance.

If someone thinks they have a keloid or they are afraid that one is going to occur, the patient should consult with a dermatologist in order to address the issue with proper medical treatment. It is hard to predict when they will happen, and it is also hard to sometimes determine the extent of the keloid scar. An experienced doctor can examine the impacted area in order to determine the best course of action in treating the scarring.

There have even been some instances where resistant keloids have been treated via intralesional treatments with surgery, off-label chemotherapy products and radiation therapy to address the issue. These are

serious treatment options that need to be discussed with a medical professional before a final decision is made about utilizing them to address the keloid scarring on the skin.

Collagen Injections for Scars

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Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and it is found in the skin, bones, and cartilage of a person. Patients often decide to have collagen injections in order to replenish the natural collagen in the skin as well as treat the appearance of scars on the body.

Let’s take a look at what is involved in collagen injections and how they can help reduce and improve the appearance of scars.

Collagen Injections Explained

In general, collagen injections are a cosmetic procedure that is performed by placing collagen under the skin to give the treated area a smoother and plumper appearance. The collagen injection can be made of human collagen, or it can be made of bovine collagen. In addition to improving the appearance of scars, collagen can provide a smoother and more youthful look to facial areas such as the eyes (crow’s feet), forehead and mouth (frown lines).

Collagen Injections for Scars – Options for Patients

In the past, patients with scars had to either live with them or they had to undergo a surgical procedure to remove the scar. The good news is that scars can often be corrected with collagen injections.

Bellafill is a long-lasting dermal filler that has been approved for the treatment of some scars. Bellafill is made of collagen from cows (bovine collagen) and the injection of Bellafill adds missing volume to lift the skin. In addition, the injection adds small Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) beads to provide additional support to the skin. The collagen will eventually be reabsorbed by the body, but the PMMA beads remain to support the skin and promote the development of further collagen. The patient must not have an allergy to bovine collagen, and it is available for both male and female patients.

Collagen injections are considered to be soft tissue fillers and they are an ideal option for improving the appearance of hollow or sunken (depressed) scars. The injection stimulates the growth of collagen and it also elevates the skin depression that results from the scar.

Collagen injections for scars

Collagen Injections – How Long Do They Last?

While collagen injections are considered to be permanent, the final results have been reported to last for up to five years. The final results can be prolonged if the patient decides to have follow-up treatments/additional injections before the five-year period is over. Some patients decide to have treatment once or twice per year to maintain the results.

Either way, additional treatments will be necessary in order to maintain the desired look to the scar that is treated with a collagen injection.

Collagen Injections – How Long does it Take for the Results to Appear

The effects of collagen injections are visible almost immediately but keep in mind that it can often take several weeks or months to gain the final results. The immediate changes are welcomed by patients who want to walk out of their appointment with skin that has a radiant and more youthful appearance.

Collagen Injections – Are There any Risks?

The doctor will administer a skin test before injecting the collagen which means serious reactions to the treatment are very rare. However, there are some possible side effects that are often found with other cosmetic procedures:

  • Redness of the skin
  • Infection located at the site of the injection
  • Discomfort
  • Skin rash
  • Itching
  • Lumpy skin

The collagen treatments can be placed in multiple areas of the body. The part of the body chosen by the patient is often one where a scar is visible to others. They usually want to lessen or reduce the visibility of the scar as they are often self-conscious about its appearance on the body.

There are several steps patients can take to minimize any possible risks.  The first step was mentioned earlier which is undergoing a test to make sure there is no allergy to the collagen injection.

Patients should make sure to visit a licensed and experienced medical provider when choosing a doctor. They should read actual patient reviews and ask questions when they meet with the doctor. Addressing any questions or concerns in advance will make the patient feel more confident about having the treatment.

Patients should never attempt to perform the treatment on their own body with collagen fillers that they purchased from another source, they should closely follow any post-treatment instructions provided by the doctor to ensure an easy recovery and optimal results. Call the doctor right away if the side effects are more severe than expected.

While the risks are normally not very severe, patients should still monitor their recovery and contact the doctor if they have any additional concerns or conditions that appear after the collagen injections are performed. It is important for the patient to keep in contact with the doctor as the medical professional can answer questions, prescribe a treatment plan and help the patient to successfully treat any side effects.

Facial Scar Treatment – How it is Performed

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Facial scar treatment is performed to minimize or improve the appearance of scars on the face with both surgical and nonsurgical methods. There are various facial scar treatments, and the best method depends on the type of scarring and the ability of their body to heal itself.

Scars can be raised, indented or flat in appearance and some nonsurgical options for facial scar treatments include corticosteroid injections, lasers, microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Surgical facial scar treatment, which is also known as scar revision, involves the removal or cutting out of the scar so it can heal in a more aesthetically pleasing manner.

Facial Scar Treatment – Ideal Candidates

An ideal candidate for a facial scar treatment includes patients bothered by their facial scarring such as acne scarring or flat, raised, and red scars. It does not include patients with an active acne breakout or someone with certain skin conditions or skin diseases in the treatment area.

Facial Scar Treatment – How it is Performed

Facial scar treatment procedures are usually performed in an office and the procedure time and technique depends on the type of treatment.

Raised and/or red scars are typically treated with cortisone injections, but compression bandages can also be applied to help reduce the redness as well as flatten the scar. Microdermabrasion, laser treatments or chemical peels can treat indented scars and some flat scars. During these treatments, the facial area is numbed with a topical cream or a fan blowing cool air may be used to ease discomfort. A special sanding tip, chemical or laser is applied or passed over the skin to remove the top layers of skin and reveal new, fresher-looking skin.

Scar revision is a surgical procedure that involves cutting out the scar and then the doctor closes the new wound with stitches. A hollow, bladed instrument is used to punch out the scar from the skin. While these surgical procedures will still cause a scar, the new scar will be more cosmetically appealing in appearance.

Scar treatment

Facial Scar Treatment Recovery and Results

The recovery period after a facial scar treatment differs according to the procedure that is performed and the ability of the patient to heal. The patient might need a week of rest after the treatment depending on how big the scar is and how aggressively it is treated.

Patients might see some redness, bruising, peeling, or swelling after facial scar treatments. This will be followed by a pinkness that can last anywhere from several weeks to several months. Patients who have a surgical procedure may have some bleeding and will need stitches on the wound. Patients should avoid the UV rays of the sun as the skin will be sensitive to sunburns.

It can take some time for noticeable improvements to appear since many of the treatments rely on new skin growth as well as collagen stimulation. In addition, some of the treatments only require one treatment while others require multiple treatments. Patients that require multiple sessions that take place over a period of several weeks, or even multiple months, may have various recovery periods and will need to wait a longer time before the results can be appreciated due to additional swelling and/or peeling.

Approximately three months after most nonsurgical facial scar treatments, the patient can begin to easily visualize the results. Surgical facial scar treatment methods can produce an aesthetically pleasing scar which will replace the original scar. However, it can take a full year for this scar to effectively fade from red to a pale color. In order to maintain their results, patients will need to use sunblock when they are outside in order to protect the new skin and/or scars.

Facial Scar Treatments – Risks and Limitations

One of the main limitations of facial scar treatments is the fact that most scars cannot be completely removed. However, their appearance can be improved by a surgeon. Patients with darker skin tones might experience permanent skin discoloration after some facial scar treatments. Facial scars that are the result of an injury or surgical procedure are limited from most facial scar treatments until the scar has fully healed. The surgeon has to wait in this case because performing certain treatments too soon can actually cause the scar to become worse in appearance.

Some of the risks of facial scar treatments include:

  • Redness
  • Skin irritation (much like a sunburn)
  • Bleeding
  • Swelling
  • Infection
  • Poor wound healing
  • Damage to the underlying structures
  • Scarring

Many of the side effects that result from facial scar treatments are minimal and the risks are usually rare. Having said that, it is important for patients to understand all possible risks before agreeing to any cosmetic procedure. In order to minimize the risks and promote better results, patients need to use the services of a board-certified surgeon who is experienced in treating a facial scar. A board-certified doctor can accurately assess the type of scar and determine the most appropriate scar treatment option. Patients should also follow all post-treatment instructions in order to gain the best results.

Scar-Free Healing – Will it be a Reality Soon?

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Scar tissue is often the result of an accident or a surgical operation and is also usually an unwelcome addition to the appearance of the body. Researchers at Stanford University have decoded the physical and chemical signals that work to trigger a certain type of skin cell to produce scars. In addition, the research team also have found a way to reprogram these cells in order to transform them into another type of cell that is able to regenerate intact tissues.

Research Team Results from Study on Mice

The team from Stanford University reported that mice that received the skin cell “trigger” were able to heal from wounds without the appearance of any scars. The mice regrew glands, hair, and other critical structures to the point that an image-classifying algorithm was not able to tell the difference between the area where the wound healed and the healthy part of the skin that was not damaged.

The research team says their next step is to try and achieve a similar type of skin regeneration in animals such as pigs (because they more closely resemble humans and have tighter skin). The Stanford team is optimistic these findings can lead to scar-free treatments becoming readily available in the future.

Scarless healing for wounds

Scarless Wound Healing – A Goal that has been Years in the Making

It has been estimated that around 100-million patients gain scars each year after a surgical procedure. In addition, there are also millions of people that have some sort of injury or accident that results in a scar.  The study by the team at Stanford represents the culmination of medical discoveries that date back to the 1970s.

In 1971, a Chicago pediatric surgeon discovered when he performed operations on fetal lambs, their wounds were able to heal without any type of scarring. Over the next two decades, the same healing ability was found in animals as varied as mice, sheep, pigs, and rats.

The early 1990s saw Michael Longaker, whose Stanford lab conducted the new research, working under Michael Harrison, a pediatric surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco. Harrison was performing surgeries on the unborn by removing a fetus from the uterus of the mother with the umbilical cord remaining intact. Once the medical issue or defect was addressed and resolved, the unborn child was returned to the womb.  Once the baby was born, there would be some redness around the surgery site but there were no scars after the procedure.

Harrison asked Longaker to determine why this was happened and Longaker has spent the past three decades attempting to answer that question.

For a good portion of that time period, the research on the subject has almost always focused on stem cells AKA the cells that make all of the mini organs of the skin. Longaker incorporated the work of other scientists that studied fibroblasts (a cell located in connective tissue that produces collagen as well as other fibers) and were able to identify that there are different types of fibroblasts.

In 2015, his Stanford team amassed an inventory of the multiple types of fibroblasts that live on the skin located on the back of a mouse. The team found there was only one fibroblast subset (EPFs because they expressed a protein by the name of engrailed-1) that was responsible for the creation of most scar tissue. When this cell line was knocked out, the mice had less scarring along with a slower recovery period.

Their next task was to determine how the EPFs worked and if they could be turned off with a drug. If so, medical personnel might be able to stop scarring in humans. Longaker and his team have been working on this task for the past 3.5 years.

Scar-Free Healing and the Study of EPFs

The first step in the process was using fluorescent markers to track the origination of the EPFs. The research team learned scar-producing cells arise from another type of fibroblast, that regenerates healthy skin, and is “turned on” when the animal being studied was wounded. Longaker said the group hypothesized the trigger might be mechanical in nature such as the force of the skin being split apart.

The group then studied how fibroblasts respond to a number of different mechanical cues. When they were grown in soft substrates, they did not flip on engrailed-1. The group also studied the tension of wounds in mice and made the same discovery. They noticed that the application of more tension resulted in the production of a greater amount of a protein known as YAP.

In order to determine if YAP was the main chemical signal that started the scarring process, they blocked YAP with verteporfin (a YAP-disrupting chemical) and by genetically modifying the mice they were testing so they did not express YAP in their fibroblasts. In both cases, the cells that flooded into the wounds of the mice were not the EPFs that produced scars. Instead, they were the fibroblast that told the skin to regenerate instead of simply repairing the damaged area.

The mice that were treated using the YAP-blocker were able to recover their normal collagen structure as well as grow back their hair follicles and glands within a period of 30 days. In addition, their mechanical breaking strength was comparable to normal skin.

Scar-Free Healing – What the Future Holds

Even though the group led by Longaker was able to show the return of some skin structures, it was not a complete list so more work will need to be performed by the research team. The additional research is needed to see if YAP-blockers are able to turn on all of the necessary signals to regrow all of the needed elements for healthy skin to be able to function.

Surgery Scars – Steps to Reduce or Prevent Them

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Surgery scars can be reduced or prevented in a variety of ways. If you are planning on having surgery, it is a good idea to understand how to prevent or minimize your scarring. Of course, one of the first things to consider is good incision care. Taking care of your incisions post-procedure is the first step in minimizing long-term scarring.

Surgical Scar Causes

There is the possibility of scarring anytime the skin is damaged. Most of us have a few scars from childhood from skinned knees or elbows. No matter the skill of your surgeon, any surgery results in damage to the skin. A surgical incision causes damage through all of the layers of the skin and can result in scarring no matter where the incision is on the body or what type of surgery is performed. Of course, surgery performed by a less-skilled surgeon can result in greater scarring but, in most cases, the skill of the surgeon has little effect on the amount of long-term scarring. Any surgeon is unable to control all of the multitude of factors that determine your risk for long term scarring.

Surgical Scars how to avoid them

Scarring Risk Factors

Many of the risk factors for scarring are beyond your control. Your ability to heal without scarring depends on factors that cannot be changed. The information below can help you determine your likelihood of post-surgery scarring.

  • Age – The skin becomes less elastic and thinner as we age. The fat layer under the skin thins out and collagen production slows down. When you combine these two facts with sun exposure and other environmental and lifestyle issues, older skin does not heal as quickly or as well as younger skin. There is a silver lining, though – sun damage and uneven tone to older skin can help to hide scars that would be more visible on younger skin.
  • Race – Some skin tones are more likely to scar than others. Keloid scars and hypertrophic scars are much more common with African American patients. With both of these types of scars, there is an overgrowth of scar tissue at the site of an injury. With more fair-skinned races, scars are generally thinner and the color will stay near the color of the surrounding skin. These scars tend to be red or pink when they are new but they will fade with time. Patients with darker skin may experience scars that remain darker than the surrounding skin.
  • Genetics – If your parents have the tendency to scar badly, you will most likely exhibit the same tendency. If you know that you have a family tendency toward scarring heavily, you may want to discuss this with your surgeon ahead of the procedure.
  • Type of Incision – A larger incision is more likely to cause a lasting scar than a smaller incision. The width and the depth of the incision directly affects the length of the healing process and the opportunity for deep scars. Another thing to consider is that a longer incision in the skin may be exposed to more stress with body movements which can delay the healing process in many cases.
  • Skin Healing – Some people are just lucky in that their skin heals quickly and easily with minimal to no lasting scarring. Others are not so lucky and their skin tends to heal more slowly. Sometimes this is due to underlying medical conditions. Having a disease like diabetes can cause your skin to heal more slowly. How quickly the skin heals varies from person to person and can change over time depending on illnesses or current medical conditions.

Scarring Prevention

Even with all of the factors listed above, it is possible to prevent scars by focusing on the factors that you can control. They include:

  • Not Smoking – If you smoke, go ahead and stop as smoking increase the risk of scarring as well as slows down the healing process. Many plastic surgeons will not operate on patients that do not quit smoking for at least two weeks before surgery.
  • Avoid Alcohol – The consumption of alcohol dehydrates your body which causes slower healing. While your incision is healing, you should avoid alcoholic beverages.
  • Stay Hydrated – During the healing process, you should make sure your body is hydrated properly. Dehydration diminishes your overall health and healing can be impacted.
  • Weight Management – Overweight patients are at greater risk of scarring. The fat deposits under the skin can work against the efforts of the doctor to close your incision seamlessly. Watch your weight as much as you can leading up to your procedure.

Scarring and Wound Care

One of the best ways to prevent scarring after surgery is to perform good, consistent incision care. Follow these guidelines:

  • Get plenty of rest
  • Perform incision care consistently
  • Watch for signs of an infection
  • Avoid excessive sun exposure
  • Minimize stress on your incision

Treatments for Scars

There are available treatments for scar minimization that can be performed in the office of a doctor or at home. If you are concerned that you might not heal as well as you would like, consider discussing these treatment options with your surgeon. The doctor can likely recommend options such as silicone wound treatment or prescription medications to help the healing process.

The Future of Scar Healing – What Scientists are Predicting

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Following an injury or surgical procedure, scars often form on the body. These serve as reminders of the physical trauma the body has endured. Not only do people not like the look of scars, the scars on the body can also heal incorrectly and cause further damage. Scars can cause tissue to contract which can limit the mobility of that area of the body, induce pain and cause basic functional problems soon after.

Scar Treatments are Highly Requested

Many experts agree that seeking treatment for scars is one of the most requested treatments in the world. “It’s an astronomical burden on our healthcare system,” says plastic surgeon Steven Moran, chair of the Division of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery at the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Reconstructive Transplant Surgery.

As long as people can remember, they have wanted to make their scars disappear. Whether it is because of a painful memory or just an unsightly scar in a very visible spot, people have looked for any way to get rid of scars for centuries. They have gone to extreme lengths to try and remove them including surgical removal and freezing scars with liquid nitrogen. These procedures have produced middling to unsuccessful results. For years people have spent large amounts of money for their scars to only look marginally better.

What if there was a way, instead of trying to get rid of scars after they form, to prevent scars from forming at all? While there is no magical fix to make scars disappear forever, medical experts have discovered ways to prevent them all together. Two recent studies have shown researchers discovering new ways to do exactly that. While it may sound like something straight out of a movie, topical or injected medicines may actually cause tissue to grow back. This tissue can also grow back complete with hair follicles, sweat glands, skin oil and even pores. It may sound like science fiction, but it might soon become a reality for many. Before looking into the future, let’s discuss different types of scarring as well as the current treatment methods for dealing with them.

Scar treatments to heal scars

Types of Scarring

When the layer of skin, called the dermis, is injured or damaged, the tissue usually heals improperly. This forms a scar. Scars can also form when, during surgery, muscle is stitched together. Another common cause of scarring is when a ligament or tendon is torn.

Cells are arranged in a highly organized fashion in healthy, non-injured tissue. But when that tissue becomes damaged, collagen can flow in to fill up the wound. Collagen is of the utmost importance to the proper healing process. However, the body will sometimes send in too much collagen. When there is too much collagen in a small space of skin, as is the case with many different scars, there may be visible side effects on the surface of the skin. These include raised tissue or reddened tissue.

The scars caused by too many proteins like collagen are called hypertrophic scars. These often appear red in color, elevated and hard to the touch. They will look quite different compared to the surrounding tissue. In other cases of different scar types, collagen and other proteins can accidentally move outside the boundaries of the wound, causing bumps in the surrounding skin called keloids. This is another type of scar. These may become noticeable months or even years after the original injury. This type of scar can also cause intense itching and discomfort. The likelihood of developing a severe scar such as keloids mainly depends how well the wound was treated. However, ethnicity and genetics also play a part in their formation.

Present-Day Treatment Methods

Doctors currently have many different ways to treat scars. Dermatologists apply tape to relieve the tension around, or on, the wound which lessens the chance of developing a scar. They also use silicone gels, sheets and other products that can prevent scars by keeping the injury properly hydrated. Some medical providers also inject cortisone or other steroids to reduce the thickness of an incoming scar. Other treatment methods include laser therapy, freezing, onion extract, and even radiation therapy! Currently, the best way to prevent an injury from turning into a severe scar is to keep the wound clean and wet, avoid more trauma to the impacted area and apply sunscreen.

Scar Treatment Methods in the Future

Recently, scientists have discussed studies that indicate injecting a drug into the surrounding edge of a skin injury could prevent keloid and hypertrophic scars from forming into severe scars. In the discussed study, scientists were able to induce the regeneration of cells. When the body starts regenerating cells, it also naturally starts to produce more skin cells and hair follicles. If this treatment continues to show success, any tissue that was once a wound or a scar can actually operate like normal, healthy tissue.