scar

Scar is a mark left on the skin after a wound or surgical incision has healed. It results from the body’s repair process, in which collagen is deposited to replace damaged tissue. Scars are often different in color, texture, and sometimes elasticity from surrounding skin, and they may fade over time but rarely look exactly like normal tissue.

Scar formation begins with inflammation, followed by tissue proliferation and remodeling. Fibroblasts lay down collagen, which slowly reorganizes to form a stable scar. The final appearance and durability depend on wound depth, location, tension on the area, and individual factors such as age, skin type, and genetics. Most scars become less noticeable with time, though some remain prominent.

There are several scar types. Normal scars may be flat or slightly raised. Hypertrophic scars stay within the boundaries of the original wound but are raised, red, and firm. Keloids extend beyond the wound edge and can be more difficult to treat. Atrophic scars are sunken, often seen after acne or chickenpox. Contractures from burns can tighten skin and restrict movement.

Treatment and management aim to improve appearance or function. Options include silicone gel sheets, pressure therapy, corticosteroid injections, laser therapy, and surgical scar revision. Early proper wound care and infection prevention can reduce scarring risk. The choice of treatment depends on scar type, location, and patient goals.

In popular culture, Scar is best known as the villain in Disney’s The Lion King (1994), the usurping brother who plots to take the throne. The name Scar is also used generally to describe a lasting mark left by injury or disease.