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It is normal to develop a scar whenever the deeper (dermal) layers of the skin are injured as in surgical incisions. In some people rather than a thin flat flexible scar they develop an abnormally large, thickened scar. Abnormal thick scars are not only unsightly but can cause symptoms such as pain, itchiness, tingling or numbness. Thickened scars are classified as either hypertrophic or keloid.

Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic Scars are enlarged but confined to the original injury site and appear as red raised firm scars. They usually arise within 1 month of injury and are most commonly found in areas where constant skin movement and stretching occurs.

Keloid Scars

Keloid scars extend beyond the original injury site and appear as purple/red lumps. The word keloid is originated from the Greek word chele meaning crab claw. Keloids occur in women and men equally but occur more often in people with heavily pigmented skin particularly Asian and Black populations. They may appear within weeks or years after injury and are most commonly found on the chest, shoulders, upper back and earlobes.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment can be very successful in significantly improving thickened scars by flattening the scar and reducing redness. Hypertrophic scars respond better than keloid scars, red scars respond better than white scars and the sooner you treat the scar the better the results especially in the first 12 months.

Lasers are sometimes used in combination with other scar treatments such as corticosteroid injections or prescription creams such as DERMATIX.

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