Scars arise as the body creates connective tissue in response to a wound to close any openings.

Not all scars have the same appearance. Hypertrophic scars are raised scars. Keloids are similar in that they contain extra scar tissue, however, as they are not confined to the original wound, are much larger and can keep growing. The reason that these scars are raised is because of an excess in production of connective tissue. Keloid and hypertrophic scars treatment aims to flatten or remove excess scar tissue.

Other scar types might fall under the umbrella of atrophic scars, meaning those that leave depressions in the skin. These depressions exist because of a lack of skin tissue. The majority of acne scars are atrophic and can have wide-ranging appearances. To raise up these depressions, treatments include injections, excisions and cell regenerating creams. Scars do not usually cause medical problems but most consider them unsightly and not aesthetically appealing. The body begins to increase production of skin cells and fibroblasts (connective tissue) to close the opening. Fibroblasts build a framework that the skin cells attach to in order to close the opening. It is the balance between the rates of replication of fibroblasts versus skin cells that is important here. When fibroblasts replicate and outnumber skin cells, they create a dense framework that is not easily built upon by skin cells; this results in a large and often raised scar. If skin cell and fibroblast replication is equal, less scarring appears.

What can be done to minimize scar formation?

Unfortunately, there is no 100% cure for scar tissue. Regardless, there are many scar treatment solutions that will decrease the visibility of your scars.

Natural scar therapy options are entering the market. These solutions combine functions. To illustrate, silicone scar therapy as a treatment of keloid scars only works from one angle - at lowering protruding scars. It is logical then to find the best scar therapy as one that combines different methods that have been found successful: a scar healing treatment that regenerates healthy skin tissue as well as one that digests or eliminates excess scar tissue. This is especially important for treatment of acne scars, as the majority are depressed atrophic scars.

Something new to look out for in natural scar removal products: mucin, a natural substance gathered from living land snails. This byproduct boasts natural antibiotic peptides to prevent infection, skin regenerating peptides that prevent and heal scars, enzymes that clean pores and digest excess tissue, proteoglycans that reduce inflammation and glycosaminoglycans that assist in skin moisturization.

What it does:

* Causes the skin to manufacture new glycosaminoglycans, resulting in improved skin tenacity and elasticity,

* Increase the production of water holding glycosaminoglycans which is true moisturizing,

* Improves the skin's blood vessel microcirculation,

* Increases the body's natural defense system against oxidative damage, and

* Repairs damage to the protective skin barrier.