National Scar Appreciation Day Date in the current year: October 22, 2024

Most injuries, except for minor wounds that heal quickly, result in scarring, which is a normal part of the wound healing process. Scar tissue is a fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after an injury. Both normal skin and scar tissue consist of collagen – a structural protein found in various connective tissues of the body – but the structure of the collagen fibers found in normal skin and in scar tissue is different.

Scars lack elasticity that normal skin has and are less resistant to UV radiation. In addition, there are no hair follicles and sweat glands within scar tissue. There are several main types of scars: hypertrophic scars, keloid scars, and atrophic scars. Stretch marks are also considered a form of scarring.

Scarring is a natural process, but there are treatments that can prevent severe scarring or reduce the appearance of scars. They include chemical peels, filler injections, laser treatment, radiotherapy, topical silicone treatments and pressure dressings, corticosteroid injections, and surgery. In addition, scars can be concealed with makeup, clothes, or tattoos.

In many ancient civilizations, scars were viewed as a symbol of endurance and power in warriors. Some cultures even used to practice or still practice scarification, a type of permanent body modification that involves cutting or branding the skin to create scars in order to highlight one’s fearsome reputation.

In the modern world, people’s attitude towards scars vary greatly. Some people are proud of their scars as a sign of strength and endurance that marks them as survivors; others view them as a reminder of the pain they have gone through and cover them whenever possible.

Regardless of how you view and treat your own scars, you should never make other people feel ashamed of theirs. Behind each scar, there is a story: a story of an accident or assault, life-saving surgery or self-harm… Scars stay with us regardless of whether we want to remember the events that have caused them or would prefer to forget, so it is important to be sensitive to people who have scars.

National Scar Appreciation Day was created by Justine Faeth in 2019. It is observed every October 22 to celebrate every scar, raise awareness of past experiences that have left us with scars, praise the human ability to endure and heal, and end the stigma surrounding scars by proudly embracing and demonstrating our scars to the world.

You can celebrate National Scar Appreciation Day by sharing the photos of your scars and stories behind them on social media to show people that scars are not something to be ashamed of but a part of who we are. However, not all people want to show off their scars, and that’s completely normal. The point is, it’s up to each person whether to hide their scars or wear them proudly; we must respect their decision either way.