Which scar type is common in Fitzpatrick skin types 4-6 and should be avoided due to severity?

Which scar type is common in Fitzpatrick skin types 4-6 and should be avoided due to severity?

• A. Keloid
• B. Hypertrophic scar
• C. Both keloid and hypertrophic
• D. Atrophic scar

Answer: (C)

Darker skin types heal with a stronger collagen response, which raises the risk of abnormal scarring after skin trauma. Keloids form when scar tissue grows beyond the original wound and can be large, persistent, and difficult to treat—this makes them a major concern in Fitzpatrick IV–VI. Hypertrophic scars also involve raised scar tissue, but they stay within the wound borders; they can be thick and noticeable as well. Because both patterns are more likely to occur and can be more severe in these skin tones, either type is a key concern to avoid in procedures that affect the skin, like PMU, where minimizing trauma and monitoring healing are essential. While atrophic scars are a different pattern (sunken and often related to acne or injuries), they are not the primary risk associated with darker skin in this context.

Darker skin types heal with a stronger collagen response, which raises the risk of abnormal scarring after skin trauma. Keloids form when scar tissue grows beyond the original wound and can be large, persistent, and difficult to treat—this makes them a major concern in Fitzpatrick IV–VI. Hypertrophic scars also involve raised scar tissue, but they stay within the wound borders; they can be thick and noticeable as well. Because both patterns are more likely to occur and can be more severe in these skin tones, either type is a key concern to avoid in procedures that affect the skin, like PMU, where minimizing trauma and monitoring healing are essential. While atrophic scars are a different pattern (sunken and often related to acne or injuries), they are not the primary risk associated with darker skin in this context.