Will Thick Scar Tissue Go Away? What You Need to Know
Understanding Scar Tissue and Its Formation
Honestly, if you've ever had a serious injury or surgery, you’ve probably noticed the development of scar tissue. It’s that thick, sometimes raised, and often stubborn tissue that can form after your skin or internal tissues heal. But here's the question many of us wonder about: Will thick scar tissue go away? Well, the short answer is—it depends. Let’s dive into it a bit deeper to explore what exactly scar tissue is and why it’s so persistent.
What Exactly is Scar Tissue?
Scar tissue is the body’s way of repairing itself after an injury. It’s made up of collagen, a protein that helps heal wounds, but it forms in a way that's different from the surrounding skin. This process helps close wounds, but it often results in tissue that’s denser and less flexible than the skin around it. I remember, after a surgery on my knee, the scar tissue formed in a thick, almost bumpy way that didn’t quite match the smooth skin around it. It took a while to get used to, and even longer to figure out if it would eventually fade.
Why Does Scar Tissue Stay Thick?
Well, here’s the thing: scar tissue tends to stay thick due to how it forms. The body produces collagen in response to a wound, but if there’s too much collagen or if it’s arranged in a disorganized way, the scar can become thick or even keloid, which are raised and sometimes darker scars. Honestly, I never thought much about the formation of scar tissue until I noticed that a scar I had from an old burn wouldn’t fade, no matter how many years passed.
Factors That Affect Scar Tissue Thickness
- Severity of the injury: If the injury was deep, the scar tissue might be thicker.
- Location of the injury: Some areas of the body, like the chest or back, tend to produce thicker scars.
- Genetics: Some people are genetically predisposed to form thicker scars or keloids.
- Infection or complications during healing: If there were issues during the healing process, the scar tissue could become more pronounced.
Will Thick Scar Tissue Go Away?
Actually, the answer isn’t as simple as just "yes" or "no." Thick scar tissue might improve over time, but it typically won’t disappear entirely. It’s important to understand that scar tissue is a permanent part of the healing process, but it can be treated to soften and flatten.
Can Scar Tissue Be Treated?
Yes! Thankfully, there are several treatments available that can help reduce the appearance and thickness of scar tissue. I’ve personally tried a couple of things to manage my own scars, and here’s what I learned.
1. Massage and Stretching
Massaging the scar tissue regularly with a moisturizing lotion or oil can help break down the collagen fibers, making the tissue softer. Stretching the area where the scar is located also helps in some cases, especially for joint scars like mine on my knee.
2. Silicone Sheets or Gels
Silicone sheets are known to help reduce the appearance of scars by hydrating the tissue and providing pressure. I know a friend who used silicone sheets for months on a scar from surgery, and it definitely helped flatten the scar and reduce the redness.
3. Steroid Injections
For more stubborn scars, doctors may recommend steroid injections to soften the tissue and reduce inflammation. Honestly, this is something I haven’t tried yet, but I know people who have seen great results from it. It’s a more clinical approach and should always be discussed with a healthcare professional.
4. Laser Therapy
Laser treatments can be effective in reducing thick scars by targeting the collagen and breaking it down. A friend of mine had a severe burn scar, and after laser therapy, she saw a significant improvement, although the scar didn’t completely disappear.
Will Time Help the Scar Fade?
Honestly, time does play a big part in the process. Over the months and years, scar tissue can flatten, fade, and become less noticeable, but it doesn’t usually go away completely. I’ve noticed that as my scars get older, they tend to blend more with the surrounding skin, though the texture is still different.
Can You Prevent Thick Scar Tissue?
Well, prevention is always better than treatment, right? While you can’t always avoid scar tissue, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of thick scars forming in the first place.
Immediate Care After Injury
The first few days after an injury are crucial for minimizing scar tissue formation. Keep the wound clean, moist, and covered with a bandage to prevent infection, which can cause the scar tissue to thicken. I remember after a minor burn I got on my hand, I made sure to apply ointment and keep it protected. It healed quickly and didn’t leave much of a scar, thankfully!
Avoiding Sun Exposure
One of the worst things you can do to a healing scar is expose it to the sun. UV rays can darken the scar and make it more noticeable. Make sure to use sunscreen on your scar, even if it’s older. I made the mistake of not protecting one of my scars from the sun, and it became darker and more prominent than it should have been.
Conclusion: Is Thick Scar Tissue Permanent?
Honestly, thick scar tissue is a stubborn part of the healing process, and while it might not go away completely, it can certainly be improved with time and proper treatment. Whether you opt for massage, silicone treatments, or even professional therapies, there are ways to manage the appearance of your scars. Patience is key, but with the right approach, you can achieve smoother, more even skin over time.
So, don’t be discouraged if you have thick scar tissue. It’s a part of the healing journey, and with the right care, it can fade or soften significantly. Just be consistent, take care of your skin, and give it time to heal!
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.