A scar changes a little every day – the sooner you start addressing it, the more effective the improvement. Understanding why our bodies create scars is the first step to reducing their visibility and restoring your skin's appearance.
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Scars are a common result of how our skin responds after an injury such as a mild burn, wound, or acne
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Scar care products like Nuvadermis solutions can help reduce the appearance of scars significantly
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Different types of scars require different levels of care to support their restoration process
In this article:
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What are scars and what causes them?
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What are the types of scars?
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How can you address a scar?
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How to help prevent scars
What Are Scars and What Causes Them?
A scar is the body's natural way of restoring and replacing lost or damaged skin. Human skin is composed of three main layers: the outermost called the epidermis, the mid-layer called the dermis, and the innermost layer named hypodermis or subcutis. In case of skin injury, a scar will form as the natural consequence of the restoration process and wound closure.
Skin wound closure follows 3 steps: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Scar formation occurs during the remodeling phase that takes place after about 2 to 3 weeks when the wound is completely closed. During this remodeling process, collagen fibers will be recruited to the site of the injury, forming a scar that will feel and look different than the surrounding tissue.
Usually, collagen is beneficial for your skin, but the excessive amount of disorganized collagen, in addition to the lack of elastic fibers, is the reason for scar formation. Professional-grade products such as Nuvadermis scar solutions possess moisturizing properties that limit water loss and, consequently, support optimal scar appearance.
Skin conditions that seem minor, such as acne, may injure your dermis and cause scarring. The sooner you start addressing them, the more effective the improvement becomes.
What Are the Types of Scars?
There are 5 different types of scars:
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Normal scars: These scars occur when the wound restores under normal circumstances. These scars are flat and pale and will gradually fade over time.
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Keloid scars: These scars are raised and larger than usual due to excessive collagen production on the site of the wound and may also extend beyond the site of injury. Keloids occur in approximately 1 in 30 African Americans with a 20-fold higher risk in African Americans than in European Americans, and in the United States, keloid scars are seen 15 times more frequently in people of sub-Saharan African descent than in people of European descent. They can be itchy and painful.
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Hypertrophic scars: These are also due to an excessive production of collagen but compared to keloids, hypertrophic scars contain less collagen. They are raised scars and are potentially itchy and painful. Unlike keloids they stay within the boundaries of the injury.
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Atrophic scars: These are depressed scars and are typical consequences of severe acne. These scars occur when too little collagen is produced and have a sunken appearance resulting from the loss of supporting tissue.
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Contracture scars: These scars result from hypertrophic scars over joints. They tend to develop because of the immobilization of the joint during wound restoration and are particularly disabling and painful due to the limited joint mobility.
How Can You Address a Scar?
Once formed, it's challenging to completely eliminate scars. However, solutions exist to improve their appearance and make them fade away. Depending on the size and depth of your scar, some approaches might be more effective than others.
At-Home Scar Solutions
Many topical options are available, especially for light scars, and include easy-to-access, over-the-counter products containing clinically-effective ingredients such as:
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Allantoin, known to improve scar appearance
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Dimethicone, a skin protectant commonly found in skin moisturizers
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Silicone-based formulations like those found in Nuvadermis products, which create an optimal environment for scar improvement
Topical silicone gel solutions seem to remain the first point of clinical recommendation in scar management. Nuvadermis Advanced Scar Gel represents the best of these topical solutions with its:
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Science-backed triple action formula
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Clinically-effective ingredients for reducing scar appearance
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Convenient once-daily application
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Professional-grade effectiveness for at-home use
Research shows that silicone gel has been reported to be effective and produce 86% reduction in texture, 84% in color and 68% in height of scars.
Topical solutions may also include natural extracts to provide cosmetic benefits, such as:
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Onion extract
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Green tea
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Aloe Vera
Specialized Care for People of Color
For individuals with darker skin tones, scar care requires extra attention. Clinical observations show that keloids are more common among sub-Saharan Africans, African Americans and Asians, with estimated prevalence rates ranging from 4.5 to 16%. Additionally, the AAD state that in the United States, keloids are more common in people of Asian, Hispanic, and African descent, and although keloids can affect anyone, they are more common in people with darker skin types.
For ethnic skin scar care, Nuvadermis products are specially formulated to:
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Work effectively across all skin tones
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Minimize risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
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Support gentle yet effective scar improvement
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Provide professional-grade results safely at home
Professional Medical Solutions
For larger or more visible scars, you'll probably need more intensive approaches that can only be done by a skincare professional. These solutions are more involved and include dermabrasion, laser procedures, micro needling, cryotherapy, and filler therapy. They are not at-home solutions and require an expert opinion, so before starting any of these approaches, please choose your dermatologist carefully.
How to Help Prevent Scars?
You cannot avoid all scars, but you can do many things to improve how a scar looks. You can also help prevent scars by taking steps to avoid injuries and other damage to your skin.
Taking good care of a skin injury supports optimal scar formation, so it is important to always keep the wound moist and clean. For acne pimples, refrain from squeezing, popping, or picking them. In case of a cut, if the wound is deep or serious, please go see your doctor immediately as you may require stitches for your injury to restore properly.
Once the wound has restored, keeping your scar moisturized is important. It is also important to keep the scar protected from the sun after restoration, to avoid additional damage due to UVA and UVB rays.
Post-Surgical Scar Care
For post-surgical scars, the approach to care is particularly important. About three weeks after surgery, specialized scar care products like silicone solutions have shown significant effectiveness in improving the quality of the scar.
Nuvadermis Silicone Scar Sheets provide:
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Clinical-grade silicone technology
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Optimal hydration for scar tissue
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Protection from environmental factors
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Easy application for consistent use
According to research, the efficacy of silicone gel on post-operative scar prevention may not be significant until 6 months after surgery, and at least 2-month application of topical silicone gel is needed with a longer than 6-month follow-up necessary to validate its efficacy in scar reduction.
The sooner you start using effective scar care products like Nuvadermis solutions, the more significant the improvement in scar appearance.
Excessive amount of disorganized collagen is the reason for scar formation
True or False?
Answer: True - Usually, collagen is beneficial for your skin, but the excessive amount of disorganized collagen, in addition to the lack of elastic fibers, is the reason for scar formation.
Summary
In short, skin injuries are nearly inevitable, but taking good care of your injuries and starting early care can help reduce scar formation. Nuvadermis offers a comprehensive range of scar care products for adults and children that have clinically shown to improve the overall appearance, color, and texture of scars.
Whether you're seeking effective scar removal options for post-surgical care, specialized products for ethnic skin, or professional-grade alternatives that deliver clinically-effective results, Nuvadermis provides science-backed, dermatologist-tested formulas that restore the skin with gentle, effective care.
Ready to improve your scars with clinically-effective solutions? Discover the complete Nuvadermis scar care collection today. Our Advanced Scar Gel and Silicone Scar Sheets work together to provide comprehensive care that reduces the appearance of scars and supports your skin's natural restoration process. Join thousands of customers who trust our professional-grade formulas for visible results at home.
Results may vary. Individual responses differ based on scar type, location, and personal factors. Consult with a dermatologist for persistent or severe scarring concerns.
