The Condition

Whether caused by injury, surgery, or burn, scars can be disfiguring. Scars stand out against the rest of the skin because scar tissue is made of collagen cells rather than ordinary skin cells. As a result, scars are usually a different color, and do not have sweat glands or hair follicles.

The severity of a scar depends on many factors, including the size and depth of the wound, the blood supply to the area, and the thickness and color of the skin. Some people – especially those with deeper skin tones – have a tendency to produce prominent, raised scars called keloids.

The success of scar revision often depends on the type of scar. Some of the different types of scars include:

Atrophic scars

These scars are thin or flat.

Hypertrophic scars

Thick, red, raised and occur within the edges of the wound.

Keloid scars

These look like hypertrophic scars, but are firm and extend beyond the edges of the wound. Keloids can be swollen and often itch or hurt.

Contracture scars

Occur when large areas of skin are lost. The edges of the remaining skin pull tightly together, often restricting adjacent tendons or muscles.

Treatment Available

Treatments of Pigmented Lesions are listed below. Note that before making a decision about which type you'd like, its best to discuss your particular circumstances with one of our dermatologists.

Vascular-specific Laser Treatment
Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment
Non-ablative Laser Treatment
Chemical Peel

Please note that this information should be used only as a guide to your treatment. All specifics will be discussed with your Physician at your consultation.

If you have questions that are not answered in this website, then please contact us.