The signs and symptoms of a hypertrophic scar are easy to recognize. They include: Hard or thickened raised tissue over your wound site. Pink to red to purple skin color over your wound site.
Sun exposure can make a scar darker. Repeated exposure increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Keep up your nutrition: Having low levels of vitamin D or C in your system can make scarring worse and you need adequate high quality protein in your diet to help your skin make what is needed to heal.
Scars May Take a Year or More to Fully Heal
Most scars start out red or purple in color, then fade with time. You can continue to use scar treatment gels such as Scarfade for a long time after the initial wound has healed.
A keloid scar usually appears a few weeks to years after you damage or injure your skin, such as after a cut, burn or acne. Keloid scars are usually raised, hard, smooth and shiny. They can be skin colour, pink, red, purple, brown, or darker than the skin around them.
Bio-Oil helps to improve the appearance of new or old scars; whether from surgery, accidents, burns, insect bites, scratches or conditions such as acne or chickenpox. Although younger scars will have a greater chance of improvement, studies have shown that older scars also benefit from regular use of Bio-Oil.
Mederma® for Kids is an effective and kid-friendly scar cream treatment that goes on purple and rubs in clear.
Scarring usually develops within the first few months after the burn, peaks around 6 months and will resolve or “mature” in 12-18 months. As scars mature they fade in color, become flatter, softer and generally less sensitive.
Scar sarcoidosis is characterized by the onset of erythematous swelling and the development of papules and nodules within the original scars. In cases of cutaneous or subcutaneous swelling in the area of an old scar or beside a scar, a scar sarcoidosis is a possible differential diagnosis (1).
After injury or irritation, skin inflammation triggers an explosion of pigment production. All this color lingers in the area long after wounds heal, creating darker sections of skin and drawing unwanted attention to your scars.
Chemical exfoliators
Creams, masks, and serums that contain exfoliants can help remove the outer layers of dead skin, leaving a smoother appearance. They may help people with acne scars. Active ingredients that may help improve the appearance of scars include: glycolic acid.
In time, some collagen breaks down at the site of the wound and the blood supply reduces. The scar gradually becomes smoother and softer. Although scars are permanent, they can fade over a period of up to 2 years. It's unlikely they'll fade any more after this time.
Without prompt treatment, the wound will swell and may become purple. Later, blisters will develop that ooze dark fluid. This is a sign of dying tissue or necrosis. The infection will then spread beyond the initial wound site and become life threatening.
Acne marks (discoloration) usually fade away within 3-6 months. There are many ways to speed up the process. However, scars remain and can be removed medically or by using home remedies.
The Connection Between Old Scars and Itching
Scars from burns, contractures, may make your skin stretch tightly. Healed burn scars may often trigger an itchy sensation due to the skin tightness.
Any change in the appearance of a burn, or in the way that the person feels, should be brought to the attention of a doctor. Potential signs of infection include: Change in color of the burnt area or surrounding skin. Purplish discoloration, particularly if swelling is also present.
Invasive burn wound infections are infections that go deeper than just the top layer of skin and can cause tissue necrosis or death in the wound bed, skin grafts and surrounding tissue. Necrosis may present as red skin early on that slowly changes to a purple/blue hue before finally turning a purple or black color.
One tip for taking care of scars is to use a topical ointment. Cocoa butter cream and Vaseline are most often used to help reduce the appearance of scars. Applying the ointment daily will help heal scars but will not make them invisible.
Mederma Advanced Scar Gel is one of the most popular and effective all-around treatments for various scars. Mederma states that the cream is effective for both new and old scars due to acne, surgeries, burns, and cuts.
To help the injured skin heal, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist. Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.
Wait until your wound has fully healed and allow 4 weeks after any stitches have been removed before you start to apply Bio-Oil. To apply, massage in a small amount until it has been fully absorbed. You need to be dedicated and ensure you regularly massage and moisturise your scar twice a day for at least 3 months.
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil should be massaged in a circular motion into the scar, twice daily, for a minimum of 3 months. On new scars, Bio-Oil Skincare Oil should be applied only once the wound has healed, and should not be used on broken skin.