What are Scars?
Scars are a natural part of the body’s healing process. When the skin is injured, the body creates new tissue made of collagen to help reseal itself. This new tissue, known as scar tissue, is composed of the same protein (collagen) as the tissue it replaces. However, the fiber composition of collagen in scar tissue is different from normal tissue, with a pronounced alignment in a single direction. This alignment is usually of inferior functional quality compared to the normal collagen’s randomized alignment.
Scars can result from accidents, diseases, skin conditions such as acne, or surgeries. They can appear anywhere on the body and can be flat, lumpy, sunken, or colored. Some scars may be painful or itchy, and their final appearance depends on many factors, including skin type and location on the body, the direction of the wound, the type of injury, the age of the person with the scar, and their nutritional status.