Hyperplastic scars – formation process and characteristics

The development of proliferative scars can be divided into three periods: the proliferative phase, the decompensative phase and the mature phase. 1.Proliferative stage The early stage of scar formation starts at 1-3 months and lasts for 3-6 months, a few of them are delayed for 1-2 years, and very few of them can last for several years. Clinical features: local swelling and congestion, gradual thickening, higher than the body surface, protruding from the surface, irregular shape, red surface, solid and tough, painful and itchy, aggravated when the temperature increases, emotional excitement or eating spicy and stimulating food. 2.Decrease period After the scar proliferation, the scar will enter the decreasing period of about 6 months-1 year. Clinical features: the scar changes from active proliferation to receding, the height or thickness gradually decreases, the hardness also starts to transform to soft, the color changes from red to purple, purple-brown and pigmentation, the capillary dilation on the scar surface disappears, and the itching and pain symptoms are reduced. 3.Mature stage, also called resting stage, starts about 1 year after scar formation, and a few patients start after 2 or 3 years, which may last for several years or decades. Clinical characteristics: In this period, the scar has matured and no longer continues to proliferate, without obvious changes, maintaining the thickness and hardness after decompensation. Generally the scars in this period are still higher than the skin, slightly harder in texture than the surrounding skin, dark or dark brown in color or close to the surrounding skin, itchy and painful symptoms disappear, and the scars are clearly demarcated from the base and surrounding skin and easily pushed. Many scar friends think that since hyperplastic scars start to fade after 6 months, they can wait before treatment. In fact, this idea is wrong. A lot of data shows that: the receding scars can only fade mildly, at most 10%-15%, and then enter the mature stage, after which the scars will not fade. In addition, for scars, they tend to proliferate indefinitely and have no remission period. Therefore, it is recommended that you go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible.