The Psychological Impact of Scars

Posted on 22 Oct, 2014

In today’s world, having unblemished skin is widely perceived as a thing of beauty. However, it is a fact that the majority of people have at least one scar on their body. The scarring may have been caused by an injury or disorder going all the way back to childhood, burns or cuts sustained in an accident or severe acne which developed during the teenage years and has never healed.

Whatever caused the scar in the first place – and no matter how severe it happens to be – it is quite common for people with skin conditions and visible scars to become preoccupied with trying to cover their skin and avoid those kinds of social situations where their scars might be on display.

Trying to live this way, from day to day, can soon take its toll on a person’s mental health and cause a huge amount of psychological stress and dysfunction.

The physical and psychological consequences of scars can affect men and women of all ages, as having to deal with a skin disorder can heighten anxiety levels and lead to appearance-related concerns.

Negative body image experiences like feelings of humiliation and embarrassment can soon diminish a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem, thus increasing their self-consciousness and affecting their quality of life.

Many sufferers may not be aware that there are effective treatments available for all kinds of scars – even those previously considered to be permanent.

One solution for the removal of scars is the laser treatment technique. This safe method can render the majority of scars virtually invisible, so the patient can get on with their life again and start to rebuild their self-esteem.

Following the course of treatment, which is tailored to the specific requirements of the individual, the skin is left looking fresh and rejuvenated, with a smoother and healthier new skin texture.