A new social initiative called “A Scar Has Many Names” is providing free cosmetic treatments for individuals with scars throughout Poland. The campaign uses the innovative Genoscar microneedling method, which significantly enhances scar elasticity and appearance, potentially leading to their reduction or complete disappearance over time.
Anna Omiejlaniuk, a burn survivor, shares her emotional journey: “At nine, I survived a house fire that left 30% of my body with severe burns. The recovery was arduous, and my visible scars attracted unwanted attention and painful comments. The trauma stayed with me for years, but support from my family and friends was crucial in my emotional healing.” Her story highlights the significant impact physical scars can have on mental health and social life.
Innovative Treatment Method
The “A Scar Has Many Names” campaign is driven by the “After the Burn” Foundation and Agnieszka Golda, a medical permanent makeup artist and cosmetologist. Golda developed the Genoscar microneedling technique, which creates controlled micro-injuries to prompt a healing response, resulting in new collagen fibres that improve skin texture and flexibility over time.
Golda explains, “Microneedling induces an inflammatory response that leads to tissue remodelling, resulting in new, elastic skin. Regular sessions enhance these effects, improving scar mobility and reducing their prominence.”
Campaign participants will receive comprehensive care, including growth factor preparations and a high-protein diet to support tissue regeneration. Post-treatment guidelines include avoiding smoking, which can hinder the healing process.
Nationwide Support Network
Starting July 20, 2024, individuals with scars can apply for free treatments through the campaign’s website (www.fundacjapooparzeniu.org). Agnieszka Golda and her team of trained professionals, including nurses, experienced cosmetologists, and physiotherapists, will evaluate applicants and provide treatments at clinics across Poland.
Golda highlights the campaign’s dual benefits: “These treatments not only alleviate physical discomfort but also help patients overcome painful memories and extreme emotions associated with their scars.”
The Psychological Impact of Scars
Psychotherapist Adrianna Sobol emphasizes the mental health challenges that scars can pose: “Scars can confine individuals to their homes, diminish self-esteem, and hinder social, professional, and sexual activities. Psychological support is crucial to help patients break free from the cycle of traumatic memories and fully return to normal life.”
Understanding Scar Formation
Anna Mossakowska-Ziemniak, vice president of the “After the Burn” Foundation, notes that approximately 250,000 to 400,000 people in Poland suffer burns annually. The healing process and resulting scar vary greatly, depending on individual factors.
Scar formation involves several stages, from initial inflammation to collagen production and eventual maturation, which can take 6 to 12 months. During this period, scars can cause pain, tightness, and other discomforts, particularly in the case of hypertrophic scars or keloids.
Immediate Burn Care Tips
Immediate care is crucial to reduce scar formation after a burn. Paramedic Kamil Kasiak advises cooling the burn with cold water (around 15°C) for about 15 minutes and using a hydrogel dressing for up to 48 hours. Deep burns may require medical nutrition, a high-protein diet, and avoiding substances like panthenol creams, which can hinder proper healing.
Pharmacist Małgorzata Chmielak recommends puncturing large blisters to prevent tissue compression and subsequent scar formation.
Endorsements and Partners
The campaign is supported by the Polish Society of Surgical Oncology, the Foundation of the Polish Society of Surgical Oncology, and the Scientific Society for Wound Treatment. Media support is provided by the “Wound Treatment Forum” portal, with Burn Care Sp. z o.o. as a partner, distributing Burnshield hydrogel dressings.
The “A Scar Has Many Names” campaign stands as a beacon of hope for burn survivors, offering them a chance to heal both physically and emotionally, free from the burden of their scars.