*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Scars

A scar is a mark on the skin after a wound or injury has healed. You cannot get rid of a scar, but most will fade over time. This can take up to 2 years or more, but there are some things you can do to help it heal or improve how it looks.

Things you can do if you have a scar

There are some things you can do to help most scars heal and improve how they look.

Do

massage your scar with a water-based cream (such as aqueous cream or E45 cream) a few times a day for up to 10 minutes each time - only massage your scar if the wound is fully healed
try to keep your scar covered when you're in the sun for at least 1 year - wear clothing that covers it, or put a dressing over it
use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more on your scar

A pharmacist can help with scars

A pharmacist can recommend some things for scars such as:

silicon dressings or gels to help improve the appearance of your scar
creams you can use to massage your scar

Find a pharmacy

Skin camouflage

There are special creams and powders (called skin camouflage) that you can apply to your skin to cover your scar so it's less noticeable.

A GP can refer you for an appointment to get skin camouflage products, or you can refer yourself online.

At your appointment, a trained professional will colour match the creams and powders to your skin and show you how to apply them.

You can get the products on a prescription or buy them.

Find out more

See a GP if:

you have a scar and it's painful or bothering you

Your GP may be able to recommend treatments that can help.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

a scar is swollen or painful
a scar feels warm to the touch
a scar has pus coming out of it

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Treatment for scars

You cannot get rid of a scar, but most scars fade over time without any treatment.

If a scar is more severe or bothering you, a GP may be able to recommend treatments or refer you to a specialist. The aim of treatment is to help improve how the scar looks.

Depending on the type of scar you have, treatments may include:

silicone dressings or gels
steroid injections or cream
cryotherapy (a treatment to freeze the scar)
laser therapy
skin camouflage (creams and powders you use to cover your scar)

A GP can refer you for talking therapy if a scar is affecting your mental health.

Types of scars

Scars can be many colours such as pink, red, purple, white, brown, skin-coloured or darker than the skin around it.

They can also be itchy, painful or uncomfortable.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.