What characteristic distinguishes a scar from normal skin?

A scar is distinguished from normal skin primarily by the presence of dense fibrous tissue formation. When the skin undergoes healing after injury, the body generates collagen to mend the damaged area. This collagen is organized differently than in normal skin, resulting in a texture and structure that is more fibrous and less pliable.

Normal skin consists of well-organized layers of epidermis and dermis, where cells and collagen fibers are arranged to maintain elasticity and functionality. In contrast, scar tissue may lack the full structure and functions of normal skin, leading to a denser and less flexible composition. This alteration can affect the overall appearance and feel of the scar compared to surrounding skin, which may also lead to differences in texture and sensitivity.

Other options, while they can be associated with scars, do not serve as defining characteristics in the same way that the dense fibrous tissue formation does. Rough texture can occur in both scar and normal skin, depending on various factors, and color variance can also exist in non-scarred skin. Increased sensitivity may happen post-injury but is not a primary distinguishing factor of scar tissue itself. Thus, the formation of dense fibrous tissue is the key identifier that sets scars apart from normal skin.