The Significance of Scars: Patient and Clinician Perspectives

Abstract

The formation of a scar represents the extension of regenerative wound repair mechanisms. On the one hand, scar tissue helps in wound closure by supporting wound contracture and reepithelization. There is no doubt that the scar formation developed in response to an injury facilitates the organism’s survival process directly and effectively. On the other hand, the effect of the pathologically developed scarring on the global disease burden has still not been accurately defined. There are three basic subtypes of scars, namely simple, atrophic, and hypertrophic/pathological (hypertrophic scars and keloids), and they have different histopathological features, development, dispersion patterns, and remission phases. There are important consequences when scars’ global and individual effects are considered. Patients with scars face long-term functional and psychological problems. In interpreting scars for both individuals and society, individual, cultural, psychological, and social effects and prejudices play a crucial role. Both the psychosocial and financial aspects of the scars, as well as the effects on the patient and society, should be considered. © 2019 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc.