Do Hypertrophic Scars Go Away?

Scars are natural to occur after a surgical process. The most common type of scar is hypertrophic scars, which look like raised skin on the site of injury or surgical site. Unlike keloid scars, these scars remain on the site itself and do not spread to the nearby areas. Many people wonder if they can reduce the appearance of hypertrophic scars or have to live with it forever. Let’s find out more about the hypertrophic scars and how to treat them to make the appearance less visible.

What Are Hypertrophic Scars?

These scars are formed after any type of surgery due to the overproduction of collagen as a natural healing process of the body. Collagen production is essential to heal the wound, but many times the production is just too much, causing raised skin on the surgical site. 

Factors That Contribute To The Formation of Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic scars are formed due to factors such as: 

• Tension on the Wound: if the wound is under stress due to strenuous activities, then it is more likely to develop into a hypertrophic scar.
• Any Infection: If the wound got any infection due to any reason, it might develop a hypertrophic scar.
• Genetics: Sometimes genes also play a role in forming these scars.

Do Hypertrophic Scars Go Away?

There are N number of products available that claim to fade the appearance of hypertrophic, but in reality, it cannot go away completely. It may become dull and less visible over a period of time. With the use of the right scar cream or gel, you can speed up the process of making them disappear; however, the process depends on how big the scar is, the age of the patient, and the natural healing process of the body. The scars that are newer can respond to the treatment better than the older ones. Thus, it is advisable to start the treatment early to make them disappear.

How to Prevent Hypertrophic Scars?

While it is impossible to protect the wound from scars as it is a part of the natural healing system of the body, through a few efforts you can definitely reduce the appearance. Take these tips if you want to prevent hypertrophic scars:  

• First and foremost is to keep the wound clean.
• Avoid itching on the area of the wound
• Use silicone gel or sheet to prevent overproduction of collagen.
• Massage your scar gently to break the scar tissues naturally. 
• Protect the scar from the sun to avoid hyperpigmentation.

Treatment Option for Hypertrophic Scars

If you want to treat these raised scars, then there are some options, such as:

• Silicone Gel and Sheets: The silicon gel and sheets are very effective to treat the scars. This helps in reducing the redness and thickness of hypertrophic scars by forming a protective layer on the scar. You must have patience with these, as the results take time to appear. 

• Wearing pressure garments: In a few cases, wearing pressure garments is effective in reducing the appearance of hypertrophic scars as it prevents the raised skin and keeps the skin flattening. It is only possible in the case of big scars, which also take several months to see a noticeable change. 

• Laser Therapy: Laser therapy is used to reduce the appearance of scars and is becoming very popular among beauty enthusiasts. Lasers target the scars and reduce the redness and appearance of them. It requires multiple sessions depending on the size of the scars. 

• Treatments Through Scar Creams: The market is full of creams that have ingredients like vitamin E and onion extract to treat the scars. However, the effectiveness of these treatments varies, and they may work best when used in conjunction with other therapies.

 Final Thought

Hypertrophic scars are the common form of scars that happen due to overproduction of collagen at the time of natural wound healing. They cannot completely go away, but with the right care, you can reduce their appearance. Remember that the result may take some time to appear. Consult your doctor to get recommendations on the scar creams depending on your skin type.