How To Reduce Scars, According To Dermatologists

Scars are a normal and important part of the skin’s healing process, but they can also be more noticeable than we would like sometimes, prompting us to search for products that can help them fade or diminish. As board-certified and New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose explained, scarring can cause color and textural changes of the skin, resulting in what she refers to as post-inflammatory hypo- or hyper-pigmentation. Although most scars are flat with the skin on top developing a slightly wrinkled appearance, Murphy-Rose said that there can be different types of scars: hypertrophic, which adopt a raised appearance; atrophic, also called depressed scars, that heal with a sunken appearance; and keloid scars, which develop when extra and darker-looking tissues extend beyond the original injury area. Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist also based in New York City, said that blemishes or acne can often leave behind discoloration and hyperpigmentation, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are a scar. Both experts said that with the consistent use of collagen-boosting skin care actives like retinoids, the textural irregularities from more superficial scars can also be slightly improved, though Murphy-Rose said in-office laser treatments can be a more effective option.