Scars While sometimes considered unsightly, scars are healthy evidence of a body’s ability to recover from a wound. However, most people do not welcome the permanent mark on their skin. Though scars cannot be completely removed, there are medical treatments that can improve the appearance of scars. Causes: Scarring occurs after a deep, thick layer of skin, called the dermis, is damaged. In order to heal the wound, the body produces new skin tissue that is composed a bit differently than normal, undamaged skin tissue. When new skin tissue covers the wound, a scar forms because the new skin tissue looks differently than the surrounding undamaged skin. Wounds that create scarring can have many causes, such as surgery, an injury from an accident, a skin condition (i.e. acne), rapid skin growth (i.e. stretch marks) or a disease. Symptoms: A scar will have a different quality, texture and appearance than the surrounding, undamaged skin. Scars form and look very differently depending on the extent of the damage to the skin. Most scars are flat and pale. However, some scars are raised and will feel like a bump on the skin, while others will appear sunken or pitted. Basic Formula for recovery/healing/improvement: Treatment depends on the size, thickness or origin of the scar and may vary from topical creams or silicone products, to steroid injections, chemical peels, steroid injections, dermabrasion and laser. *Results may vary per patient.