Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids – Contemporary Concepts and Treatment Options

Wound reparative process after surgery, burns, injuries, and infl ammatory processes results in a spectrum of scar formation ranging from nearly scarless healing to excessive fi brosis or atrophy. S carring is considered a major medical problem that leads to aesthetic and functional sequelae. Scar tissue is clinically distinguished from normal skin by an aberrant color, rough surface texture, increased thickness (hypertrophy), occurrence of contraction, and fi rmness. In the last decade, the concept of wound healing kinetics has been developed to describe the delicate balance of cell activity involved in scar formation and remodeling. Hypertrophic scars and keloids are formed as a result of the process of abnormal wound healing. Despite all that has been written on improving the appearance of these types of scars, there are no defi nitive management protocols. The aim of the present article is to make a brief review of the basic wound healing, while focusing on medicine’s latest understanding of the development and treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars.