I can’t help feeling the pangs of jealousy and irritation at the sight of the lucky ones on the television. It got me thinking so I had to put a few words down. Most of the contestants are obviously very talented (they need to be to get past Simon Cowell) but one thing dawned on me more than anything. That was how important self belief and confidence is in everything we do as human beings.

Even the X-factor contestants have crises of confidence which adversely influences their performance. If they have problems with confidence then it’s not really a surprise that the rest of us do, especially if a person is having to live with scarring that affects their appearances.

When we look around in our own communities we see people that have to deal with horrific injuries, even more so with soldiers returning from warzones. When I think of how traumatising it is live with such injuries I have nothing but admiration and respect for anyone in that situation.  When you have no choice over the way you look due to scars, to a large degree you then just have to get on with it!  That’s easier for some more than for others.  This is where confidence plays a huge role.  The more resilience you have, the more able you are to deal with the difficulties life throws at you. Feeling comfortable in your own skin and being at ease with the way you look is what most people strive towards. Some people achieve it, but many do not.

What I’m trying to say is that regardless of how you look, having confidence can help to overcome self doubt. Sometimes this is the starting place when dealing with the effects of scarring on self image and belief.

Building your confidence is the key ingredient to achieving your desires in life, have faith in yourself, believe and anything is possible.

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I read about this cream, that oil and that the best thing is silicone patches. To be honest, I’ve read positive things about all the different types of approaches. I’ve also heard less favourable things too.

The general feeling and understanding that I have arrived at is that most products are reasonably safe if they’re not abused or over used. The effectiveness of the different products varies dramatically and as with all things, some products seem to suite some people more than others. The type of problem to be addressed will also dictate your choice.

There are certain product properties that are considered to be essential to its effectiveness. The ability to reduce inflammation which is created when skin is damaged and contributes to scar formation. To hydrate the site as damaged skin loses moisture more quickly. Cover the scar. This may be best achieved by using silicone sheets which are considered by the medical profession to be the ‘gold standard’ in scar reduction. How silicone sheets work is still not clearly understood but it is believed that they hydrate, they are anti-inflammatory, allow breathing and provide warmth which helps to stimulate the regeneration process. Silicone sheets also help to reduce the movement and stretching of a scar which, in excess is counter productive to healing. Gentle massage also helps as it can break up the scar tissue and again aid regeneration.

As hydration is seen as crucial to scar reduction, the use of silicone sheeting with a quality cream that hydrates and  is easily absorbed is considered to be extremely effective.

Hopefully I have helped to clarify some of the factors important in scar reduction and removal products. When researching for yourself, it’s always prudent to seek information that is objective and gives the pros and cons of any product.

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The peptides that are present in skin regeneration are naturally produced in the body in a response to tissue damage.

The use of copper peptides for skin regeneration was discovered in the 1970’s by Dr Pickart. They were found to be very effective in healing wounds and skin lesions.

The use of this compound in scar reduction has been around for many years. Many people have found it to be very effective in reducing the visual effects of scars. It is also used after surgery to reduce the formation of scars. The compound helps to regulate the production of collagen that is responsible for scar tissue development and enables the body to produce more regular collagen that is present in normal skin production.

They are used in a method that is known as consistent skin exfoliation and therefore remove the top layers of skin are removed which in theory will remove any scars and allow the production of healthy skin below. This process is also very effective for the removal of skin tags, moles and blemishes.

Copper peptides are also widely used as an anti-aging product and help with tightening facial skin, increase skin elasticity, tone, thickness and tone.

This compound is hailed by many and understandably so. It can be effective when used properly and make a difference to peoples lives. A word of caution is always needed when trying to fool nature, while copper peptides have many advantages, over use can actually leave skin damaged.

There are numerous products available online that contain the copper peptides compound. These are all based on the patents of Dr Pickart.

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Scarring can have a lasting impact on a person and their experiences both personally and socially. Poor self image and social discomfort may seem to be small and insignificant side effects of minor scarring, but for the individual they can create massive obstacles to feeling happy and achieving ones potential. Major scarring can be utterly disabling in so many areas of life with such problems as limited mobility and constant pain.

Surgery can actually be quite effective in scar reduction and help a person to improve their life and confidence.

There are many different techniques available; some are obviously more effective than others.

The choice of surgery will depend upon the type of scarring that a person has.

The most difficult scars to reduce are known as ‘keloid scars’. These are the thick, dark itchy clusters of dense fibrous scar tissue that grow beyond the edges of a wound. This is as a result of the production of collagen by the body after a scar has formed. The surgical procedure is to cut out the scar and close the wound with stitches or superglue. This can leave faint scarring but it is still a massive improvement.

Another type of scarring is known as the ‘hypertropic scar’. These are red, swollen, puffy and itchy scars that have grown around the edges of the original wound. These treated in a similar way as with keloid scars but the surgeon may reposition the wound so it will heal in a less obvious way.

Laser treatment can be very effective in scar reduction, especially with ‘atropic scars’ which are small pockets in the skin caused by acne and other skin conditions.

The other issue that may have a massive influence on the decision to have surgery is the cost. Plastic surgery is not particularly cheap and the price is going to be dictated by the type and extent of the procedures required. You should always consult your family doctor and use an approved surgeon.

There are numerous non surgical techniques available but the effectiveness of these is always questionable. There are many valid claims and evidence to support this approach which, should never be discarded. It’s always worth taking this approach before considering surgery.

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Historically scars have been treated by an array of techniques ranging from surgical procedures to oils, creams and patches.

Never before has there been a drug with so much promise to revolutionise the lives of people that endure the devastating effects of scarring and scar tissue.

It was reported by the BBC in April 2009 that scientists in Manchester, UK have developed a new drug designed to reduce the appearance and effects of scarring. This new scar reduction drug was first conceived accidentally by a dental scientist. He experienced a “Eureka moment” about 20 years ago when working with baby alligators. Following operations on the baby alligators that were still in their eggs he noticed that they hatched with no scarring from the procedures.

Since then he has developed ‘Juvista’, the worlds first scar reduction drug, which is hoped to improve disfiguring scars in human beings without the need for laser treatment or skin grafts. The drug consists of a growth factor substance that is administered by injection.

The drug is still being tested with the clinical trials showing some very favourable results. Claims have been made that some scars have improved by up to 60 percent.

That’s very impressive but we all know that in the real world things are not so clear or simple. If this drug works to half its potential it could still be seen as a miracle by many.

In the US alone there are at least 40 million procedures a year that could benefit from scar reduction therapy. This does not take into account people with existing difficulties associated with scarring.

There may yet be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. All we can do is watch and wait with renewed hope.

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