In plastic surgery, scarring is the most common disease in outpatient consultation. Every day, I receive a lot of scar-seeking beauty seekers. Looking at their eyes and unrealistic expectations, I am more and more interested in writing a popular science about scars. No chicken soup, no dog blood, Dr. Fu tells you a few truths about scars.

Scars are one of the beautiful natural enemies. Whether it is a knife cut, surgery or severe burns, there will be different degrees of scarring. As far as current medical technology is concerned, scars can only be diluted and cannot be eliminated.

1. What is the scar?

To know scars, we must first understand the skin.

This seemingly simple structure can be divided into at least the stratum corneum, the epidermal layer, the dermis layer and the subcutaneous tissue.

When the damage only destroys the epidermis or superficial dermis, the wound will heal quickly; when the damage reaches the deep dermis and even deeper, it is necessary to fill the damaged area by producing granulation tissue - these granulation tissues will eventually become ugly scars. 

Scarring is an inevitable result of post-traumatic repair. Any surgery is an injury, so scars can never be removed by surgery. Surgery can only dilute, shrink, or change the shape of the scar.

2. What types of scars are there?

Medically, the scars are divided into three types:

Ordinary scars:

The general color is slightly lighter than normal skin, the texture is softer, and some may shrink or sag.

Hypertrophic scars:

Obviously red, prominent, and flexible, most patients will feel pain and itching, and most need active treatment.

Keloid:

Obviously prominent, often spherical, reddish or similar to normal skin, very flexible texture, may be associated with obvious pain, itching, most stubborn.