Massage applied to scars

Keloids and hypertrophic scars occur anywhere from 30 to 90% of patients, and are characterized by pathologically excessive dermal fibrosis and aberrant wound healing. Both entities have different clinical and histochemical characteristics, and unfortunately still represent a great challenge for clinicians due to lack of efficacious treatments. Current advances in molecular biology and genetics reveal new preventive and therapeutical options which represent a hope to manage this highly prevalent, chronic and disabling problem, with long-term beneficial outcomes and improvement of quality of life. While we wait for these translational clinical products to be marketed, however, it is imperative to know the basics of the currently existing wide array of strategies to deal with excessive scars: from the classical corticotherapy, to the most recent botulinum toxin and lasers. The main aim of this review paper is to offer a useful up-to-date guideline to prevent and treat keloids and hypertrophic scars.

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“…), is standard therapy in rehabilitation centers specializing in the treatment of scars and burns [15]. …”

Section: Classical Treatment and Preventive Options For Keloids Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

Up-to-date approach to manage keloids and hypertrophic scars: A useful guide

Arno

Gauglitz

Barret

et al. 2014

Burns

312

314

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“…However, we often rehabilitate and/or massage skin after operations such as free skin grafts or breast augmentation with silicone prostheses [3][4][5][6][7][8]. But the 324 Y. KANAZAWA ET AL.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cyclical Cell Stretching of Skin-Derived Fibroblasts Downregulates Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) Production

Kanazawa

Nomura

Yoshimoto

et al. 2009

Connective Tissue Res.

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Delayed healing of skin wounds can be caused by wound instability, whereas appropriate massage or exercise prevents sclerosis and scar contracture. However, the mechanism by which wound healing is related to mechanical stress has not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to identify whether mechanical stretching of fibroblasts reduces their production of extracellular matrix. We transferred skin fibroblasts into collagen-coated elastic silicone chambers, cultured them on a stretching apparatus, and used RT-PCR to examine the effects of mechanical stretching on the expression levels of 17 genes related to extracellular matrix production and growth factor secretion. We found that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was downregulated after 24 hr of cell stretching. Specifically, the CTGF mRNA and protein levels were 50% and 48% of the control levels, respectively. These findings suggest that cyclic stretching of fibroblasts contributes to anti-fibrotic processes by reducing CTGF production.

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“…1). This is perhaps unsurprising given the lack of clear guidance from the conflicting literature [14]. Although well-designed randomised controlled trials in children are lacking, there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating beneficial effects of massage therapy in relieving pain, itching, anxiety and mood as well as improving pliability of scars [15][16][17] and perhaps more emphasis on the use of this modality ought to be promoted.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%