Scientists develop anti-scar bandage

London, May 13 : Scientists from Stanford University Medical Centre in California have developed a bandage that could prevent formation of scars on skin.

Keloid scars are the red lesions that form after surgery or injury when the skin "overheals" creating an extra tough region of new skin.

These often form due to stretching during healing caused by patient's movements or by the swelling of the tissue lying beneath the skin.

The team led by Geoff Gurtner have developed bandages that can prevent this kind of stretching.

Made up of 'shape memory' polymers these bandages set into a firm shape after being applied to the wound.

These bandages are either fixed with the help of powerful adhesives, or sewn or stapled over the wound during surgery, reports New Scientist.

The team conducted a test on mice and found that it considerably decreased scarring by holding the healing tissue firm.

ANI