If you have been in an accident or you have recently had an operation, the chances are you will have a scar to remind you of the trauma your body has been through. Scars are the result of a healed wound that can discolour and unsettle the skin around your injury. Although scars don't look pretty they are the result of healing so if a wound has healed properly then some form of scar will be left, whether it be a permanent one or one that will fade over a few weeks, months or years.

Scars are formed as new blood vessels and cells rush to the injury and attempt to heal the area by reforming the skin. For big wounds these cells and blood vessels will heal the area by producing extra collagen to help repair the damage quickly and efficiently. This flurry of activity results in the skin discolouration and physical change creating a scar. For small injuries like cuts, grazes and small burns, scars will normally appear during the healing process but will quickly fade away until your skin looks as good as new.

For more serious injuries there are a few different types of scarring that are likely to result from your wound. These three different types of scars are atrophic, keloidal and hypertrophic. Each of these scar types are formed as a result of different injuries and will be determined by the level of your injury, it's position and the aftercare of the damaged area. Atrophic scars are scars that have formed over a hole in the skin and will usually cover a wound that is depressed on the skin. Atrophic scars are most commonly associated with acne damage and can occur anywhere on the body.

Hypertrophic scars are generally the size of your wound and are usually caused by burns or a reaction from the accident or injury you sustained. These scars generally rise above the level of your skin during healing and can leave a raised area of scar tissue in place of your wound. Keloid scars are slightly more unusual as they spread further than the injury requires and can often look and feel inflamed. These types of scars are more common after surgery or accident but they have been known to form over spots, small skin damage and, in some cases, have appeared spontaneously.

Any type of scar can be annoying and unsightly but there are ways to reduce or cover your scar, so no matter what type you have there are always Scar Removal options you can look into if you want to reduce their visibility.

Every scar is different and can require different aftercare and treatment so it's important to know your scars so you can make the right choice about your treatment in the future.

Isla Campbell is an online, freelance journalist and avid traveler and pilates devotee. When not on the road she lives on the outskirts of Oban.