Scars may appear anywhere on the body, and the composition of a scar may vary — appearing flat, lumpy, sunken or colored. It may be painful or itchy.
Keloid scars
These are thick, rounded, irregular clusters of scar tissue that grow at the site of a wound on the skin but beyond the borders of the wound. They often appear red or darker in color compared to the surrounding normal skin. Keloids are formed from skin cells and connective tissue (fibroblasts) that multiply to repair the damage. These scars may appear anywhere on the body but most commonly on the face, neck, ears, chest or shoulders. They occur most often in people with dark complexions.
Hypertrophic scars
Hypertrophic scars are similar to keloid scars. However, their growth is confined within the boundaries of the original skin defect. These scars may also appear red and are usually thick and elevated. Hypertrophic scars usually start to develop within weeks after the injury to the skin.
Contractures
Contractures are an abnormal occurrence when a large area of skin is damaged and lost. The scar formation pulls the edges of the skin together, causing a tight area. This can also occur as scars heal. The decrease in the size of the skin can then affect the muscles, joints and tendons, causing a decrease in movement.