The human body has been able to survive so many decades because of its immune system. It is this system that has protected it from burns, puncture wounds, or blunt-force trauma. The minute - or second - your body is injured a contagion effect is set into motion to protect itself from further damage.

When an injury happens, many different cells quickly aid the wounded area and the healing process begins. This process means that the normal functional tissue is replaced by connective tissue (scar). But don't worry, this is simply the body's way of protecting itself from harm. Some wounds may health naturally and leave behind no evidence of their existence, but if the connective tissue has not healed properly a scar will appear.

Scar prevention tips

Knowing about scar treatment and scar prevention are essential when treating a wound. Here is a good place to start:

*Avoid hydrogen peroxide: All wounds should be kept clean and debris-free, but take care NOT to use hydrogen peroxide. This product will destroy new skin cells.

*Avoid the sun: A lot of people use tanning to make their scars less visible, however, UV exposure slows down the healing process and may promote dark coloration. This is why it is vital to always apply sunscreen when outdoors. Specialists recommend SPF 15 or higher.

*Avoid exposing the injury: A great way to safeguard a wound is to cover it with a bandage to keep it safe from debris while maintaining its natural moisture balance. Keep wound covered until the injury is fully covered with new tissue and has healed.

What are the types of scars?

A wound that is not cared for properly is a scar waiting to form. There are different types of scars, below we mention a few:

*Keloid scars: These scars are the result of an overly aggressive healing process and occur more often in black skin. These scars extend beyond the original injury. Over time, a keloid scar may affect mobility. More commonly used scar healing treatments include injections with steroids or surgical removal. Once an injury has been sustained, you can prevent the formation of keloids by using pressure treatment or gel pads with silicone.

*Contracture scars: These scars appear mostly in burn victims. It produces tightening of the skin and impairs mobility; furthermore, this type of scar may go deep into the skin and affect muscles and nerves.

*Hypertrophic scars: This type of scar is similar to keloid scars, however, it does not breach the boundaries of the injury site. Possible scar removal can include injections of steroids to reduce inflammation.

*Acne scars: This type of scar is seen mostly after an acne breakout has healed. Acne scars range from deep pits to scars that are angular or wavelike in appearance. Possible acne scar removal treatments will depend on the types of acne scars you have.