Scar tissue after surgery

After each and every surgical procedure at the very incision site the skin and underlying tissues heal in a form of a scar. Scars are sometimes very small and almost invisible (as it is the case after laparoscopic surgeries) or they may be large and long which can cause aesthetic problems in patients. Everyone must know that the process of scaring is normal and must occur. In some people formation of scar tissue is increased and they are prone to unsightly keloids or hypertrophic scars. These patients will end up with scar tissue which surpasses the area of the original incision site. For all people who are bothered with the appearance of their scars there are several options which can reduce and sometimes even remove the entire scar.

Scar Tissue after Surgery - Factors which Influence Formation of Scars

After the wound is stitched the superficial layer of the skin produces collagen which participates in a creation of a mesh. This mesh is actually a connection between the two sides of the incision. This mesh is further filled with many cells which regenerate the damaged tissue and participate in scar formation.

There are many factors which influence formation of scars. They include patient's age, type of the surgery and depth of the incision, patient's genetic tendency for scar formation, comorbidities (infections, diabetes mellitus etc), skin healing rate and patient's tendency to form hypertrophic scars or keloids.

How to Prevent Formation of Excess of Scar Tissue after Surgery?

There are certain things that may prevent formation of excess of scar tissue after surgery. The first one is quitting smoking. Not only that smoking interferes in timely healing of the wound it may also affect scar formation. Intake of alcohol after surgery also affects the process of scaring. Proper scaring also depends on one's diet. The food patients eat must be rich in all essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals necessary for proper scar formation. Even intake of plenty of water is important for scar tissue to form adequately.

Excess of scar tissue occurs in obese people. In order to avid this undesirable effect one should lose weight prior the surgery. By preventing infections from occurring one minimizes the chance of subsequent excessive scarring. Even reduction or elimination of stress put on the wound may reduce scarring.

Getting Rid of Excess of Scar Tissue after Surgery

There are several method used in reduction of scar tissue. Many cosmetic products contain certain chemicals which if massaged into the scar can reduce its size and visibility. Patients suffering from unsightly scars may undergo laser removal of scars. Another surgical procedure which tends to eliminate the scar may cause another scar particularly in people predisposed to increased scar tissue formation. Patients suffering from keloids may benefit from intralesional injections of corticosteroids which effectively reduce scaring in the first place.