What are the different types of scars?

Healing is a physiological process that occurs when there has been an injury to the skin fibres. The skin has the potential to regenerate although it does not always do it in the same way, meaning there are different types of scars. This healing process depends on the type of skin a person has, its medical characteristics and also the type of wound.

We can classify the different types of scars as follows:

Scar with "normal" appearance

This type of scar is caused by a wound that is not complicated on a person with healthy skin and good healing capacity. Initially, there will be a pink or purple line following the path of the original wound. It will later turn a lighter or pearlescent colour. The skin changes its thickness and texture. Sometimes the scar may feel tender.

Atrophic scar

This scar is caused by a decrease in collagen fibres in the area, leaving a depressed area on the skin. They are usually small in size, but on areas such as the face, they can be quite obvious. These types of scars are usually left by acne or chicken pox.

Hypertrophic scar

Unlike the previous case, the hypertrophic scar produces an excess in the formation of collagen and elastin fibres, so that there is redundant skin, of a pearly pink colour, which often exceeds the original size. This type of scar is more common in young people, on darker skin tones or when the wound has occurred in areas of the body with a lot of movement such as the elbows or knee. This makes it difficult for the skin to heal properly. These scars can be irritating and cause pain or itching.

Keloids

Keloids scars are similar to hypertrophic but larger in size, surpassing the original wound. The growth of collagen fibres is disproportionate, causing a significant aesthetic alteration. They are more frequent in young women and people with darker skin tones.

Contracted or retraction scars

These are scars usually relating to wounds caused by burns or scalds or where there has been a lot of skin tissue loss. These wounds heal with an reduction of healthy tissue, leaving a contractured and often deformed area, with significant functional impairment.