The Facts

• How prominent a scar will be depends on the severity of the injury, where it is located and, to an extent, the person's age. A raised or indented scar will cause shadows, making the scar easier to see. Skin directly over a bone is tighter than skin elsewhere, making a scar there more visible. As we age, our skin becomes less elastic and does not heal as well. However, when it comes to scarring, that can be an advantage, because the skin of children sometimes overheals, creating thicker, more visible scars.
  
  

Types

• A good starting point can be makeup, which can cover a still-healing scar until its appearance naturally improves. Massages and pressure bandages can be applied for a few months to flatten certain scars. Creams, gels and bandages that contain silicone can be applied to reduce the thickness of a scar, and some cases also benefit from steroid injections, cryosurgery (freezing to remove tissue) and chemical peels. But more severe scars can require surgery. In surgical scar revision, scars can be cut out and the skin rejoined, creating a smaller or less obvious scar. Sometimes a laser is used to resurface the skin.
  
  

Considerations

• No scar removal or reduction technique is perfect. But the appearance of a scar can often be significantly improved. Most techniques are performed in a dermatologist's office or, in the case of bandages, gels and creams, at home. In a few cases, such as patients with large burns, hospitalization is necessary. The best way to choose a treatment approach is through an in-depth discussion with a dermatologist.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• The need for drastic measures can in some cases be avoided. If you're having surgery, for example, a combination of proper wound care and general health maintenance will reduce scarring. Smoking and drinking both slow healing and should be avoided immediately before and for several months after surgery or an injury. Keeping well hydrated promotes healing, as do staying well rested and eating a balanced diet. Protein, obtained from meat, dairy products or soy, is particularly important because it has a direct role in healing skin.
  
  

Benefits

• Having a scar removed or minimized can improve self-confidence dramatically. It also save the patient the trouble of covering the scar with cosmetics or clothing. But the benefits can extend to function as well as appearance. Surgery and other removal techniques can reduce or eliminate pain or itchiness that often accompany poorly healed scars. And because scar tissue has little flexibility, getting rid of it can restore lost movement, especially in the face and hands.