SCARS are self-made tattoos. They are the reminder of times. For some it is a gift and they see ‘interruptions as interesting’. And for some they are the scary tales reminding them of an incident of the past.

Any deep injury to the skin forms a scar in future and it is in the surgeon’s hand to make it a better fact rather a SCARy fact. For centuries, scar management has been dealt with ease. Scars can cause a psychological distress and social impact especially when it is on the face. Right now there are possible ways to make it look less visible and more aesthetic. The efficacy of the treatment of scars has been improved by time and hence it has reached a height that will by no means can be demolished. So, this review of literature and recent advances in the treatment plan will guide you to know what will happen to an injury and how to treat it in later stages when it turns into a scar.

What is a scar and how does it differ from the normal skin and ways to treat them?

A scar may be a flat, raised, linear, smooth, depressed or hypertrophic. A matured scar is minimum 6 months old and is ready for a revision. Scar tissue has many disorganized collagen unlike the normal tissue and a scar needs to be repaired either by a correction [medically know as a scar revision] or by using scar softening formulations. The surface characteristic features of a scar are firm, pink to brown in colour and confined to the wound area. The local factors which initiate the scar formation are less nutrition, poor hemostasis [blood supply], tissue over growth and mainly greater tension to the tissues. Manipulating a matured scar lies on how deep the scar is, how old scar is and the location of the scar. Say for example, if you treat an immature scar elsewhere in the body, and scar on the movable area like a knee joint may relapse. The ultimate goal of treating a scar is to leave a linear line post procedure.

A scar revision is well appreciated in an ugly scar. The approved protocol for a scar revision is to excise the scar completely and then revise it. A scar revision may disperse a scar and realigns the scar from a no-tension plane. Correction of a scar can either include a Z-plasty or a W-plasty or a traditional dovetail incision under local anesthesia. This criteria is applicable depending on the site of the scar. Although relatively surgeons may make use of any of the techniques which is mentioned above. Now turn your scars to sparse by making them aesthetically appealing and stay away from your bad memories forever.