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Whether it's from a childhood accident or a surgical procedure, most people experience some kind of scarring on their body during their lifetime. But while it is important to have realistic expectations about scarring with any kind of cosmetic procedure, you should also be aware of the scar treatment techniques available today which can significantly reduce the appearance of a scar - both before and after it has healed.
What is a scar? Scars almost always result from trauma of some kind (surgery, accident, disease) and are a natural part of A normal scar usually develops during the first 48 hours after wound closure and can fade between three and 12 months, with an average time of seven months. Various factors can interfere with the wound-healing process to cause ‘overhealing' or a continuation of the scarring process. As a result, an abnormal scar develops, which may cause it to grow bigger, remain dark and raised without fading, cause discomfort or restrict the movement of a joint. Types of scars Widespread stretched scars These appear when the fine lines of surgical scars gradually become stretched and widened. Theses scars are typically flat, pale and soft, and are symptomless. Linear hypertrophic scars These are red, raised and sometimes itchy. They are confined to the border of the original surgery and mature to have an elevated, slightly rope-like appearance with increased width. Widespread hypertrophic scars are common after a burn and are red, raised and sometimes itchy scars that remain within the borders of the original burn. Atrophic scars These are flat and depressed below the surrounding skin. They are generally small and often round with an indented or inverted centre, usually arising after acne or chickenpox. Keloid scars These are focally raised, itchy scars that extend over normal tissue and may develop up to several years after injury. Because these scars do not regress without treatment, surgical scar removal is often followed by recurrence. Scar treatment Stratamed: open wounds Stratamed can be applied directly onto open wounds and compromised, non-epithelialised skin surfaces to help prevent the formation of abnormal scars. It uses advanced polymer technology which dries to form a thin, flexible membrane that protects and hydrates the resurfaced skin. This flexible silicone gel sheet is inert with no pH value so it does not change the acid mantle of the skin, allowing the skin to breath while being protected from chemical and microbial invasion. Stratamed creates the optimal healing environment which leads to a reduction in the body's natural inflammatory response (redness) and faster re-epithelialisation or recovery time. Stratamed can be applied to open wounds including those from:
Strataderm: existing scars Strataderm does not soak into the skin, but dries to form a very thin layer that is less than the thickness of a piece of paper, similar to stretching a piece of household cling film over the skin. It is ideal for any irregular skin/scar surfaces, the face, moving parts (joints and flexures) and any size of scar. Strataderm can be used as first-line therapy for scars as well as in conjunction with other therapy options, such as steroid injections and pressure garments to increase their overall efficacy. How to use:
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