If the injury damages the top layer of your skin, you’ll likely see new skin when the wound heals. To repair damage that goes deeper than the first layer, your body makes a tissue that’s thicker than your skin. This thicker tissue often becomes a scar.


Scars come in many different shapes and sizes and can be caused by various factors. If you have more than one scar, you may notice that they look very different, which can be attributed to the following:

  • The cause of the scar (e.g., accident, acne, burn, surgery, etc.)
  • The size and depth of the wound
  • The body part where the wound occurred
  • How the wound was treated

Apart from these factors, other conditions like genetics, age, skin color, and medications can also contribute to how your skin heals.

Types of scars


When a scar forms on your skin, it can be classified into different types:

1. Flat scar


Medical name: Cicatrix

What it looks like: While you will eventually see a flat scar, when this scar first appears it tends to be pink to reddish in color and slightly raised. It may also be itchy or painful.

As your skin continues to heal, the scar will flatten and change color. Over time, many flat scars become nearly the same color as your skin, or paler or slightly darker than your surrounding skin.

Proper wound care may increase the likelihood that you will see a flat scar instead of a raised scar.



2. Raised scar


Medical name: Hypertrophic scar

What it looks like: This scar rises above the surface of your skin, so you see a raised, firm scar.

Over time, raised scars tend to flatten, but flattening can take months or years. A raised scar is most likely to form on the chest, upper back, or shoulder area, but it can appear anywhere on your skin.

Some raised scars itch or feel painful. If the scar is large or forms on a shoulder, elbow, or other joint, it can restrict your movement. If you experience any of these problems, you should see a board-certified dermatologist. Treatment can relieve these complications.



3. Depressed scar


Medical name: Atrophic scar

What it looks like: These scars sit below the surface of your skin, giving the skin a sunken or pitted look. Most depressed scars form on the face.

Sunken scars can become more noticeable as you age. This happens when the skin relaxes and sags, causing the depressions to become more noticeable.

You are more likely to develop depressed scars after chickenpox or severe acne clears.

Dermatologists divide depressed acne scars into three types: boxcar, icepick, and rolling. Separating acne scars into distinct types allows a dermatologist to treat each a bit differently, which gives patients the best results.



4. Keloid


Medical name: Keloid

What it looks like: This scar rises above the surface of the skin. Unlike other raised scars, keloids grow much larger than the wound that caused the scar.

A keloid may appear months or even a year after you injure your skin.

As a keloid grows, it may feel painful or itchy. Like other raised scars, a keloid can reduce your ability to move, especially if it forms over a joint, such as the shoulder or elbow, or grows very large. Treatment can help relieve these complications.

While flat and raised scars may eventually become less noticeable, keloids never go away without treatment.



5. Contracture scar


Medical name: Contracture scar

What it looks like: When a scar forms, the new tissue tends to be tighter and thicker than your skin. Sometimes, this tightening makes it difficult to move. Any scar that limits movement is called a contracture scar.

Burns often cause a contracture scar. A contracture scar on your knee may mean that you will no longer be able to fully straighten your leg.


A burn can cause a contracture scar


If you have a serious burn, go to a burn center. Getting treatment at a burn center can help you prevent a contracture scar.

Because a contracture scar can restrict movement, it is a serious complication.

You can also develop a contracture scar if a large keloid forms.


6. Stretch marks


Medical name: Striae

What it looks like: Stretch marks are a type of scar. Stretch marks are scars because they cause breaks in our connective tissue (the tissue that lies beneath our skin and gives it shape).

We typically get stretch marks when our skin grows or shrinks quickly, such as during pregnancy, rapid weight loss or gain, or adolescence. Bodybuilders and weight lifters who bulk up quickly can also develop stretch marks.

Early stretch marks are often red, purple, or dark brown. As stretch marks mature, they lighten and tend to look white or silver. Stretch marks can be slightly raised or sit a bit lower than the surface of your skin.



Conclusion


Scars are complex and can be influenced by various factors. Understanding the different types of scars can help you identify and treat them properly.

In case you experience any complications, it is best to seek the advice of a board-certified dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.