Products and procedures available for scar treatment and
for improving the appearance of scars
Skin scars occur as a natural part of the body's healing process.
Scarring occurs when the dermis, the deep, thick layer of skin,
is damaged. To fix the injury, the body uses collagen fibres, which
is a naturally occurring protein produced by the body. This process
results in a scar. Scar tissue has a different texture than normal
skin. Most skin scars are flat and pale, and practically unnoticeable.
Skin scar treatments
A variety of scar treatments are available also for your feet. These include:
- Vitamin E. Vitamin E, whether in supplement form, from the
diet or in topical creams, may speed up scar healing and lessen
the appearance of scars. Some research suggests, however, that
applying vitamin E to post-surgery scars does nothing to increase
healing or enhance skin appearance.
- Cocoa butter. Cocoa butter cream may be helpful in healing scars
and preventing the development of keloid scars. A keloid scar
is a raised growth of fibrous tissue that grows beyond the boundary
of the skin injury site. The scar appears as a raised, sometimes
reddened, bump.
- Surgery. Though surgery cannot remove scars, it can be used
to improve scar appearance.
- Laser surgery. Scar redness may be reduced with laser treatment,
though laser procedures are still highly experimental.
- Steroid injections. Steroid injections into the scar may improve
the appearance of keloid scars.
- Pressure garments. Pressure garments are most often used for
treating scars caused by burns.
- Dermabrasion. Dermabrasion is useful in flattening scars that
are raised above the skin.
- Collagen injections. Collagen injections are used to raise scars
sunken below the skin.
If you have questions about skin scarring and treatment, talk
with your physician. Your physician will advise on the best scar
treatment for you.
Skin scar treatments right at your fingertips
For a variety of scar treatment skincare
products, see our product menu at right.
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