Scarring is a normal outcome of wound healing. Sadly, it can cause not just physical, but emotional distress as well. This is particularly true for individuals who got their scar as a result of defective products, a vehicular accident, a workplace injury, a faulty medical procedure, or an assault, to name just a few reasons. Aside from scars potentially limiting an individual’s range of motion, they can also serve as a painful reminder of the accident. 

Scars are also among the issues raised when an individual seeks legal assistance to get compensation, particularly if the scar is a result of negligence of other individuals or organizations. In this post, experienced plastic surgeon of scars in Miami, Dr. Thomas J. Zaydon, Jr., shares what attorneys and their clients need to know about scars.

What Are the Different Types of Scars?

According to a study, around 100 million people in the developed world get scars, some of which can cause significant physical, psychological, and social trouble. In general, most scars improve over time. However, a person may also develop abnormal scars after their wound heals. 

Scars are characterized based on the depth of elevated tissue, pigment shape, and orientation. The types of scars include:

1. Keloid Scars

Keloid scars are thick, usually irregularly rounded clusters of scar tissue. They grow at the site of the wound, but may extend beyond the actual edges or borders of the wound. Keloid scars commonly appear reddish or darker than the person’s skin color.

This type of scar forms from the collagen produced by the body after a wound heals. Although more common on the chest, back, and shoulders, keloid scars can grow anywhere on the body. It’s also possible for keloids to appear up to one year after an individual was originally wounded. 

2. Hypertrophic Scars

This type of scar is similar to keloid scars, however, hypertrophic scars are generally confined within the boundaries of the original site of the wound. These scars are more responsive to treatment compared to keloid scars as well. Like keloid scars, hypertrophic scars are thick, raised, and reddish in color. 

What Affects the Formation and Appearance of Scars?

Multiple factors influence the formation and appearance of scars. As such, it is vital to know the history and mechanism of the trauma.

1. The severity of the trauma.

Naturally, an avulsion, wherein there is significant tissue loss, would be more problematic than a “simple” cut. 

Moreover, burn scars are particularly complex because delicate skin structures tend to be lost. As a result, there is an increased amount of skin tension.

2. The site of the trauma.

Furthermore, the site or region of the body that got wounded also affects the formation and appearance of the scar. For instance, scars on the shoulder or sternum often widen and become raised above the surrounding skin. This is linked to the high skin tension in all directions in these anatomic sites. Moreover, if the wound follows a relaxed skin line, the scar may come out less aesthetically troublesome. 

3. The size of the wound.

Multiple smaller scars heal better than one long straight scar. Additionally, smaller wounds are not subject to the “bowstring” effect that’s common in longer or bigger ones.

For Expert Insights on Scars, Consult Plastic Surgery Consultant, Dr. Thomas Zaydon

Dr. Thomas Zaydon has extensive knowledge on the origin, nature, and possible effects of scars. Dr. Zaydon specializes in scar removal in Miami, and as such, has worked with and helped many individuals deal with scars that have affected their life in one way or another. Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Thomas Zaydon has been serving as a plastic surgery expert witness on liability cases for years. 

Get an American College of Surgeons Fellow by your side to help with your case. Contact us at 1-305-856-3030 to learn more and schedule an appointment.

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.