THE SCAR HEALING PROCESS IS COMPLEX AND IS THE RESULT OF BIOLOGIC WOUND REPAIR.
With the exception of minor lesions, every skin wound causes some degree of permanent scarring.
The word scar comes from the Greek word eschara, meaning “place of fire.” Scar tissue is different from normal skin. It is inferior in appearance and function. Scars are less resistant to ultraviolet rays and more prone to sunburn. Scars also lack a blood supply or sweat glands, and they never grow hair.
It can take a scar up to 2 years to look it's best. Scars continue to soften, flatten and fade throughout this time. Unfortunately, some scars become more problematic over time by:
- Growing larger or more raised
- Causing itching
- Becoming painful
- Becoming permanently pigmented (dark red/brown)
- Restricting motion
There are various factors influencing the scar healing process:
- Age – younger skin is more prone to abnormal and exaggerated healing. This can lead to hypertrophic or keloid scars. Older skin takes longer to recover1.
- Skin type – scar healing is typically worse in people with darker skin types. African and Hispanic ancestry is associated with a higher risk of developing hypertrophic or keloid scars1-3.
- Genetics – abnormal scarring can be inherited1-3.
- Location – Movement of scars over joints can make them wider1.
- Infection – Infected wounds do not heal well. The final scar may be raised, wide, uneven and abnormally red or dark.
- Poor nutrition – Not eating healthily deprives the body of nutrients (like protein), vitamins (like vitamin C) and minerals (like copper and zinc) that are needed for optimal wound healing.
- Smoking – Cigarette smoke causes blood vessels to clamp down and decrease blood flow. Wounds that do not receive enough blood are more prone to poor wound healing and worse scarring.
- Sun exposure – Exposing fresh scars to the sun causes permanent redness.
We can influence each stage of scar formation by using selective scar healing treatments:
Inflammatory Phase
Dilation of blood vessels causes leakage of fluid that contains enzymes, growth factors and cytokines (inflammation cells) including MMPs *, TGFb **, and TNFa ***. The wound uses this fluid to break down the collagen damaged by the injury.
Unfortunately, the skin is not efficient at controlling the amount of these healing factors. This causes an “over-breakdown” of collagen and contributes to a larger, less aesthetic scar.
InviCible’s ingredients are known to work together to decrease this excess breakdown of collagen at the wound area:
| Ingredient: | Inhibition of: |
| Patent-Pending Vitamin C Complex | MMPs, TNF, inflammation |
| Silicone Gel (Dimethicone) | TGF |
| ProBiosyn-4TM | Inflammation |
Proliferation Phase
After the inflammation, the body replaces the damaged tissue with new collagen. The skin builds this new collagen very quickly and may produce abnormal collagen. The build-up of abnormal collagen can lead to hypertrophic scarring and even keloid scars.
| Ingredient: | Effect: |
| Patent-Pending Vitamin C Complex | Encourages production of normal, “healthy” collagen |
| Silicone Gel (Dimethicone) | Limits production of abnormal collagen |
Epithelization Phase
The top layer of skin conserves water and serves as an infection barrier. Skin injury severely disrupts this function.
The next wound healing phase is formation of the new top skin layer (epidermis). Replenishing water content of the skin is essential during this phase.
ProBiosyn-4TM helps restore the lipid biolayer and provides moisture to the developing epidermis. Dimethicone also traps water. The resulting increased moisture encourages faster and improved healing.
Unlike many other scar products, InviCible does not contain alcohol that can dry the skin.
| Ingredient: | Effect: |
| Silicone Gel (Dimethicone) | Increases scar water content |
| ProBiosyn-4TM | Ingredients are known to restore lipid biolayer, increase scar water content |
Maturation phase
The newly formed scar now starts to mature. This final phase can last for up to 2 years. Collagen fibers reorganize for a stronger and durable scar. This can cause scar hardening and loss of elasticity. The scar may also become red, which can take up to several years to improve.
All InviCible ingredients work together to soften and fade the scar. InviCible’s Vitamin C complex aids in decreasing scar pigmentation by over 80%. ProBiosyn-4TM also helps decrease hyperpigmentation and provides essential fatty acids (EFAs). These are vital for restoring normal skin elasticity.
| Ingredient: | Effect: |
Vitamin C Complex |
Softens hard tissue, reduces redness and dark pigment |
Silicone Gel (Dimethicone) |
Softens hard tissue |
ProBiosyn-4TM |
Aids in softening hard tissue, restoring elasticity, reducing redness and dark pigment |
Learn more about InviCible's ingredients here.
* Matrix Metalloproteases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent enzymes capable of degrading all forms of extracellular matrix proteins contained in the skin, including collagen. They are also involved in cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, angiogenesis and apoptosis (cell death).
** Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFb) exists in humans in three known subtypes:, TGFβ1, TGFβ2, and TGFβ3. Silicone gel inhibits the release of TGFβ2. All TGFb subtypes play critical roles in tissue regeneration and modulation of the immune system. Increased TGFβ activity is associated with some human cancers.
*** Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFa) is a member of the Cytokine family. The primary role of TNFa is in the regulation of immune cells. TNFa is also able to induce cell death and inflammation, and to inhibit tumorigenesis and viral replication. Overproduction of TNFa is associated with a variety of human diseases including various cancers.
References:
1. English RS, Shenefelt PD. Keloids and hypertrophic scars. Dermatol Surg 1999; 25:631-638.
2. Brissett AE, Sherris DA. Scar contractures, hypertrophic scars, and keloids. Facial Plast Surg 2001; 17:4
3. Bayat A, McGrouther DA, Ferguson MW. Skin scarring. BMJ 2003; 326:88–92
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