A dermatologist in Frisco TX will tell you that it's almost impossible to go through life without acquiring a scar or two. Not all scars are equal, though, and some of us end up with uncomfortable or unsightly scars that make everyday life a little more difficult. If you have a scar that is painful or that you feel the need to hide, here are some things you should know about scars and how a dermatologist can help:
What is a scar?
A scar is your body's way of healing itself and replacing lost or damaged skin. Scars are usually composed of fibrous tissue and occur for a number of reasons including surgery, injuries, infections or inflammations of the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body and can take many forms - flat, sunken, lumpy, colorful, itchy or painful. How a scar ultimately ends up looking depends on a variety of factors like your age, your overall health, the direction of the wound, your skin type, and the type of injury and where it is on your body.
How can a scar be minimized?
A dermatologist in Frisco TX will first determine if you are a viable candidate for scar treatment. Then she will offer you a number of treatment options available for your type of scar that include dermabrasion, chemical peels, collagen and cortisone-like injections, cryosurgery, laser resurfacing, punch grafts, surgical revision and autologous fat transfer.
What are the types of scars and how are they treated?
▸ Hypertrophic scars are the most common types of scars. They usually appear soon after surgery or trauma and remain within the confines of the wound. They are usually thick and elevated and may appear red. Hypertrophic scars normally get better over time. Treatment for these types of scars can begin with steroids, either injected or applied topically, or even surgery if their appearance is unsightly enough.
▸ Keloid scars are less common and spread outside the boundaries of the original wound or trauma. They are thick, rounded, irregular clusters of scar tissue that appear red or dark in color and are more frequently seen in dark-skinned people. Like hypertrophic scars, keloid scars can appear anywhere on the body; but, unlike hypertrophic scars, keloid scars rarely get better over time. Treatment for these scars include steroid injections, cryotherapy (freezing the scar off), pressure therapy (applying a pressure appliance to the scar over a period of months), laser surgery and conventional surgery. Keloid scars tend to recur even after treatment.
▸ Contractures occur when large areas of skin are damaged and lost, resulting in a scar. As the scar forms, it pulls the edges of the skin together, causing the skin to tighten. This can affect muscles, joints and tendons and can lead to a decrease in movement. Treatment for contractures is usually limited to surgery. Scar tissue is removed surgically and skin grafts or skin flaps are used to cover the area where the scar was. Skin grafts involve lifting a piece of skin from a donor site on the the body and transplanting it onto the wound. A skin flap is essentially the same thing except that the skin that is transplanted is larger and has its own blood supply.
No matter what type of scar you have, you can get help with the pain or appearance of the scar by scheduling an appointment with the best dermatologist in Frisco TX, Frisco Dermatology. Call us today at (972) 712-3131 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us online at www.dermfrisco.com to find out more about us.
DERMATOLOGIST FRISCO TX
Frisco Dermatology Laser & Surgery Center
9191 Kyser Way, Bldg. 3, Ste. B
Frisco, Texas 75035
(972) 712-3131
Don't live with painful or unsightly scars. A dermatologist in Frisco TX can help. Call Frisco Dermatology at 972-712-3131 to schedule an appointment.
