What is Scar Tissue?

One of the most important things you should know about scar tissue is this: Don’t try to remove it. Scar tissue is nature’s way of protecting a part of the body that is healing. Exposing the new skin under a wound or injury may lead to further damage or to infection. So learn to live with that scar tissue. Be patient. It will disappear when the time is right.

Why is it Called Scar?

The word “scar” comes from the Greek language. In Greek, “schara” meant something like “place of fire.” This was applied to the scar because of the red appearance and the sensation of the healing process.

Scars are mostly composed of fibrous tissue that is fed by a small amount of blood. This makes it less smooth and less sensitive to touch. Scar tissue will also become stiff in a matter of days. It isn’t as flexible as normal, healthy skin. In addition, you will find little if any hair growing on scar tissue and these areas generally don’t produce sweat since the sweat glands are damaged by the injury or wound.

Different Scars for Different People

Most scar tissue will form in the area directly over and around a wound or injury. This type of scar might be a bit “lumpy” and rough as the tissue and blood dry. When the wound is relatively minor, such as a scraped or shallow cut on the skin, the scar may completely disappear over a period of time. Some people may develop another type of scar, known by the name keloid. These scars may grow beyond the original wound area. In some cases, they appear on younger children and on those with darker skin and they never completely disappear.

Keep in mind that scar tissue is not an early stage of “norma” skin. It’s a natural, biological process that is much different from the health tissue that will ultimately appear. If scar tissue forms on an internal injury or because of damage caused by a major illness such as heart attack, the scarred area may be weak and may never completely heal. Even a small cut or injury that goes beneath the surface of the skin can take weeks and months to heal.

More about Scars

Not only do scars form differently in younger people and in those with darker skin, the scar tissue might be visible for a longer period of time as we age. Our bodies form scar tissue using collagen fibers (protein based). This formation might take longer as we age because the protein isn’t reproduced as quickly. Research has shown that Vitamin E and Vitamin C can help the healing process by stimulating the formation of collagen.

Current studies focus on reducing the amount of scar tissue or eliminating the scar completely in minor cases. Research scientists have discovered an item called transforming growth factors that may help prevent massive scarring, especially in adults who might normally carry scar tissue with them for years after a wound or injury.