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The human body was created with a perfectly constructed immune system destined to protect it from a variety of injuries including puncture wounds, burns, or blunt trauma. Once the body is attacked a chain of events are set off to guard the body from further damage.

The healing process begins when a wound is inflicted on the skin and a variety of different cells run in aid of the damaged area. This process involves the replacement of healthy skin tissue with scar tissue. 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.

Simple Tips for Scar Prevention

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

*Avoid hydrogen peroxide: If you've just cut yourself don't reach for hydrogen peroxide to clean it. Hydrogen peroxide has been known to destroy skin cells as they form.

*Avoid the sun: UV rays can slow down the healing mechanism and excite melanocytes that can promote dark coloration. This is why it is vital to always apply sunscreen when outdoors. Skin care specialists recommend using SPF 15 or higher.

*Avoid exposing the wound: Letting the wound 'breathe' only makes it susceptible to debris and further damage. Keep the wound under wraps until it has had a chance to fully heal.

What are the types of scars?

A wound that is not cared for properly is a scar waiting to form. And, did you know that there is more than one type of scar? Here are just 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. Possible scar healing treatments include surgical removal, or injections with steroids. 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 causes the skin to tighten impairs your ability to move; not to mention that this type of scar is also known to go deep into the skin and affect nerves and muscle.

*Hypertrophic scars: These scars are similar to keloids, but do not breach the boundaries of the injury site. Probable scar removal may possibly include injections of steroids to reduce inflammation.

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