Oregon Esthetician State Board

Which of the following describes a discolored and slightly raised mark on the skin that forms after healing?

1. Scar

2. Scale

3. Comedo

4. Keloid

The correct answer is: Scar

A scar is a mark that represents the skin's healing process after an injury or surgical procedure. When the skin is damaged, the body produces collagen fibers to repair the area, leading to the formation of a scar. Scars can appear as discolored and may have a different texture compared to the surrounding skin. The term “slightly raised” is particularly indicative of a keloid, which is an overgrowth of scar tissue that can be more pronounced than typical scars. However, given that the question refers to a "discolored and slightly raised mark" after healing, it aligns with the general description of scars, particularly hypertrophic scars which are raised but do not exceed the boundaries of the original wound, distinguishing them from keloids. The other terms do not fit this description; a scale refers to flakes or dry patches of skin, a comedo is commonly known as a blackhead or whitehead, which is a clogged pore, and therefore does not describe a mark formed after healing. A keloid, while related to scars, specifically describes a type of scarring that is significantly raised and may not be the best fit for a general description of a mark post-healing, especially if not specified as an excessive growth beyond typical