04/12/2020
Scars, of any type, can be a significant source of anxiety and psychological distress, not only for the affected patient, but also for close friends and loved ones. Scars represent focalised areas of fibrous tissue that replace normal skin after trauma, and result from the biological process of wound repair.
The different scar types include keloid and hypertrohic scar, . Each has their own set of challenges regarding optimal therapy. Burn scars can be especially difficult to treat and can often present with a myriad of characteristics. They can appear depressed, raised, shiny, smooth or rough, can be hyper- or hypopigmented, may exhibit a play of different colours during the healing process, and can be thicker and tougher in texture when compared to normal skin.
Treatment options for the aesthetic improvement of a scar include injections of botulinum toxin, intradermal injectable products and silicone sheeting; all of which have shown efficacy in minimising the appearance of the scar, but have failed to improve motility. Energy-based devices, such as the CO₂ laser, have yielded positive clinical outcomes in the cosmesis of scar tissue.
Z-plasty is a plastic surgery technique used to improve the functional and cosmetic appearance of scars.
