What is a Scar ?
A scar is a mark or discoloration that remains on the skin after an injury has occurred, healed and repaired. Skin heals itself by growing new tissue to close the wound and fill any voids from where the injury was sustained. Collagen, a protein in the body, is the main component of scar tissue.
Scars come in different shapes and forms. Scars are sometimes big and painful or rather small and hard to see. People with naturally dark complexion (more so African, Asian or Hispanic descent) and red hair are more prone to keloids. Keloids are raised scars that grow on the site of the injury but also overgrow it. Considering their size, shape, type and location, some of your scars may be quite unattractive and even impede motion. However not every scar requires resolution efforts and plenty of them go away with time.
Common types of Scars
- Keloid Scars: The excessive formation of scar tissue following an injury is known as scarring. It occurs above the surface level of the injury site and often spreads beyond it. Gradually, movement may be restricted due to keloid scars. Removal of the scar is one of the surgical treatments offered for a keloid, alongside steroid injections and the use of silicone sheets to reduce the scar’s surface area. Smaller sized keloids are often subjected to cryotherapy treatment. You can also reduce the risk of keloids by therapeutic use of pressure dressing or silicone gel pads in the event of an injury. Keloid scars are most prevalent in persons who have dark pigmentation. These scars are elevated from the skin surface and extend beyond the region of injury. Excess scar tissue has the potential to grow to a considerable size and even restrict motion.
- Atrophic Scars: These scars are formed as a consequence of decrease in collagen levels during the process of recovery which leaves the skin with pits or indentations. Most cases are linked to acne, chickenpox, and varicella. The affected areas should be brought up to the level of surrounding skin for a seamless finish. Generally, they present as a few shallow rounded holes or dents in the skin. Also referred to as ice pick scars, they are most commonly found on the face.
- Contracture Scars: Contracture scars are usually formed as a result of burns or other injuries which involve damage to the deeper layers of the skin. These can cause the skin to shrink and tighten, restricting movement. Attention in concealing these types of scars is quite often important. Contracture scars may be more extensive and involve pain when nerves or muscles are affected or injured. These make movement difficult, especially when the scarring extends into the muscles and nerves or forms over joints.
- Stretch Marks: Such scars manifest as a result of the skin being stretched or compressed rapidly. The most common causes involve pregnancy, adolescence, and changes in one’s weight. Such conditions can disrupt the layers of connective tissues beneath the epidermis surface. Stretch marks are what are often referred to as long and narrow lines on the skin that are never eliminated since they give an impression of being covered up with some make ups.
- Acne Scars: Scars consequent to acne are the residual marks formed, after it has been cured. Such scarring is often associated with severe or cystic acne which manifests itself in the form of cone shaped elevations, frequently with a protruding whitehead, that distorts the smooth texture of the skin. One of the examples are acne scars. They may be raised and/or depressed, and often present themselves as discolorations, changes in texture, or bumps on the surface of the skin. For example, ice pick scars, boxcar scars and rolling scars are some examples of acne scars. Numerous acne scars exist, most a pit type wherein deep cuboids form mostly rounded or squared angular wave types of scars. This is why treatment approaches vary depending on the kinds of acne scars you have. The Fraxel laser works well for the treatment of scars caused by acne. There is a need of several sessions for the treatment.
How to cover scars with makeup ?
1. Moisturizer
If your skin is oily and acne-prone and you think you shouldn’t moisturize, then you are definitely making a big mistake. A lightweight moisturizer does a trade with your skin, providing hydration and helping in the reversal of oil overproduction. That is why you need a moisturizer on a daily basis regardless of whether you put on makeup or not. Most importantly, a moisturizer provides an even surface for makeup to adhere on, hence improving its wearability. After applying a moisturizer, wait for some time as it should be absorbed before proceeding.
2. Primer
Primers have a number of advantages and one of them can be improving the skin’s surface. They are particularly useful for working on scars and other textured areas, as they allow for a nice smooth even base to be created before makeup application. Scars can be smoothed over with silicone-based primers that lessen the visibility of the abnormal striations and prepare a flat surface for layering of foundation and concealer. Applying cream over the skin and then layering the foundation and concealer on top helps in prolonging the coverage and enhancing the final look of the scar.
3. Foundation
The foundation is one of the best makeup to cover scars. The foundation is one of the best makeup to cover scars. The proper selection of foundation plays an important role in appropriating the look with complete camouflage angle of the scar. Full coverage foundation that perfectly matches the skin shade, caters for the requirements of the skin type and has a long wearing form is recommended. Choose a product with a lighter consistency to avoid cake like appearance and for ease of application on a daily basis. Or, you may want to wear a foundation that has a buildable coverage, in case there are scars that require more product for effective masking.
4. Concealer
A concealer is a cosmetic product that helps hide scars and marks on the skin and can be used on its own or after applying color correction products. If you want something that has a thicker application, consider a cover-up makeup concealer for scars or even a tattoo concealer. The purpose of this is so the concealer blends in seamlessly with the skin and does not draw any attention. While there are other professional ways to cover scars that are more effective, in case there is an urgent need to even out the color of the scar, the edges of the protruding scar and discolored area can also be applied with a concealing product and the edges blurred out. This works well for more minor scars, since large areas of concealer tend to be noticed when aplique on bare skin. Rather pick a concealer that is highly pigmented and has a creamy texture which can be different in color to the scar itself but very effective in hiding the scar. The concealer can be painted on the scar with small brush or applied by fingers. The specialized product is applied with a soft touch to help it melt into the skin’s surface and ensures the contour is smooth.
5. Color Corrector
Color correctors are makeup products that come with complementary colors which help in eliminating or covering up color discrepancies like redness, hyperpigmentation or scarring. This is known as color correction in which you apply opposite shades to help lessen the discoloration. For example, a green color correcting concealer would be used to counteract redness. If brown colored spots & illusions like under-eye circles need to be concealed, an orange blemish concealer is used.
6. Setting powder
To avoid smudging the scar coverage, one should also apply a translucent finishing powder to set the make up. Select a colorless powder which will not change the appearance of the foundation or the cover up. A soft brush should be used to apply a small amount of powder in the areas of scarring in order to minimize creasing of the make up and allow the make up to last longer. Avoid all that sweat and tears from disappearing or better still getting messed up by make up magic translucent powder in a very reasonable manner all over the face, which is pretty much how all the so called pencil or now known as liquid, slays outlining the features. This does two things – absorbs any extra oil and ensures that the makeup stays placed. Concentrate on the areas which have been covered with color correction, particularly the under eye area, as this area causes the most damage by creasing. When the aforementioned makeup is applied over scars, it can effectively eliminate the scars, blemishes and imperfections on the skin by creating an even skin tone and texture. The last step of the makeup routine is to apply a setting spray. It is useful in securing the application of makeup used to cover the scars.