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The body has a natural way of healing any open wounds. Skin cells and fibroblasts begin proliferating to repair the damage. The skin cells migrate towards the network created by the fibroblasts to close the wound.

Generally, they are both produced at the same rate, and the result is a scar that fades with time. However, if the fibroblasts reproduce faster than the skin cells, they will form a dense band that impedes the migration of the skin cells to the wound. The result, in this case, is a raised scar known as a keloid scar or hypertrophic scar.

What makes these types of scars different? The following article will examine the differences between these types of scars as well as hypertrophic and keloid scar treatment

Keloid Scars

Keloid scars are scars that exceed the area of the original wound. They are a puckered, itchy cluster of scar tissue that rises above the rest of the skin. This type of raised scars are irregular in shape and, unlike other types of scars, they usually do not fade with time, but grow larger.

They can be pinkish or red and have a tendency to become fairly large and unattractive. Besides their undesirable appearance, keloids tend to be itchy and tender to the touch. On a microscopic level, keloid scars are a mass of thick collagen levels that form nodules deep within the scar tissue.

Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic scars are caused because the body overproduces collagen. As a result, the damaged cells produce a raised scar much like a keloid scar. However, hypertrophic scars do not grow beyond the limits of the original wound like keloid scars do.

Dealing with Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars

There are several treatments for raised scars. But, we will take a look at a couple of the most common ones: compression therapy and corticosteroid injections

Compression therapy entails applying pressure to the scar and the area around it. Studies have shown that applying pressure to the scar leads to the reduction in the cohesiveness of collagen fibers. Some of the elements used in compression therapy include ACE bandages, elastic adhesive bandages, compression wraps, spandex or Lycra bandages.

Intralesional corticosteroid injections have be a common treatment to promote hypertrophic scar healing. These injections help reduce excessive scarring by deterring collagen synthesis, by altering glucosaminoglycan synthesis and by inhibiting the production of fibroblast proliferation during wound healing.

Surgery, cryo treatments and laser therapy are other alternatives for the treatment of raised scars. Consult with your dermatologist to see which treatment is the best for you.