Scar Types
Hypertrophic Scar
Scars form when the dermis (deep, thick layer of skin) is damaged. The body forms new collagen fibers (a naturally occurring protein in the body) to mend the damage, resulting in a scar. The new scar tissue will have a different texture and quality than the surrounding tissue. Scars form after a wound is completely healed.1 A hypertrophic scar is raised and reddish in color. Hypertrophic scars are more common. They don’t get a big as keloids, and may fade with time. Hypertrophic scars are not confined to any particular racial group. 2
Keloids scar
Like hypertrophic scars, keloids are raised, reddish nodules that develop at the site of an injury, and project above the surface of the skin and form large mounds of scar tissue. Keloids may form on any part of the body, although the upper chest, shoulders and upper back are especially prone to keloid formation. Symptoms include pigmentation of the skin, itchiness, redness, unusual sensations and pain.3
