We all get wounded at some point in our lives or the other; it’s almost unavoidable! But have you ever wondered why the skin tends to leave a scar each time a wound [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][or wounds] heals? When I was going up as a teenager, this is one of the things that puzzled my curious minds. And just in case your mind is currently as puzzled [over this] as mine was, do not worry anymore ‘cause I’ve got the answers you need.
Now, to explain why scars form on your skin each time a wound heals, I will have to also explain the different stages wounds undergo while healing itself after injury. As you may well know, when a wound is small, it tends to heal faster unlike when it is big. But whether or not it’s a big or small wound, all wounds heal the same way:
STAGES OF WOUND HEALING
- The blood quickly clots [thickens] after an injury. This is to stop the bleeding and let the healing process begin already.
- The blood clots will then dry and form what is called “scab”. The scab is to protect the tissue underneath the wound from germs.
- As soon as the scab has formed, the body’s immune system begins to protect the wound from infection.
- At this stage, the wound may become swollen; reddish or pinkish in appearance depending on the colour of your skin.
- Some clear fluid may also ooze from the wound, helping to clean it…naturally.
- Blood vessels will then open in the affected area so that blood can bring oxygen and nutrients to the wound.
- The blood [particularly the White blood cells] will also help to fight possible infections from germs. But beyond that, it also facilitates the healing process.
- The body also repairs broken blood vessels while allowing new tissue to grow.
- Red blood cells will help to create collagen; the tough, white fibers that form the foundation for new tissue.
- After the collagens are created, the wound starts to fill in with new tissues.
- New skin begins to form over this tissue.
- Now after the wound heals, the edges pull inward and the wound will get smaller.
- This is when a scar will form in order to help the wound become stronger.
- Meanwhile, as the healing process continues, the wound may become very itchy at this point. And after the scab falls off, the area may look stretched, red, and shiny.
- The scar that will form next will be smaller than the original wound. It will be less strong and less flexible than the surrounding skin.
- Over time, the scar will fade and may disappear completely. Unfortunately, some scars may never go away completely.
- Scars form because the new tissue grows back differently than the original tissue. If you only injured the top layer of skin, you will probably not have a scar. With deeper wounds, you are more likely to have a scar.
- Some people are more likely to scar than others. Some may have thick, unsightly scars called keloids. People with darker complexions are more likely to have keloids form.
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