Explanations of the most important scar terms

Scar tissue

Scar tissue differs from the surrounding skin: It contains fewer elastic fibres and does not have colour pigments like healthy skin. Hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands are not restored. The lack of elastic fibres may lead to hardening as well as shrinking of the scar, sometimes causing tension or even restricted movement.

Scar tissue

• cannot form new colour pigments (melanin)
  and therefore does not tan
• has a lower blood vessel density
• tends to shrink and harden because it contains
  fewer elastic collagen fibres

Scar formation involves the building of fine blood vessels, which are the reason for the red colour of fresh scars. That will slowly fade away as the scar matures. As scar tissue does not have colour pigments as healthy skin does, the scar will then be lighter than the surrounding skin.