{{infobox disease | name	Scar | Image Very-minor-scar.jpg | Caption A minor scar from a cut to the forearm, approx. one year since the wound. | DiseasesDB | ICD10 L90.5 | OMIM | MedlinePlus | eMedicineSubj | eMedicineTopic | MeshID D002921 }}

Scars are areas of fibrous tissue (fibrosis) that replace normal skin after injury. A scar results from the biological process of wound repair in the skin and other tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a natural part of the healing process. With the exception of very minor lesions, every wound (e.g. after accident, disease, or surgery) results in some degree of scarring. An exception to this is animals with regeneration, which do not form scars and the tissue will grow back exactly as before.

''Sherratt'' ''et al'', explain that scar tissue is the same protein (collagen) as the tissue that it replaces, but the fiber composition of the protein is different; he explains that instead of a random basketweave formation of the collagen fibers found in normal tissue, in fibrosis the collagen cross-links and forms a pronounced alignment in a single direction. This collagen scar tissue alignment is usually of inferior functional quality to the normal collagen randomised alignment. For example, scars in the skin are less resistant to ultraviolet radiation, and sweat glands and hair follicles do not grow back within scar tissue. A myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, causes scar formation in the heart muscle, which leads to loss of muscular power and possibly heart failure. However, there are some tissues (e.g. bone) that can heal without any structural or functional deterioration.

Types

The collagen over expression in scarring can be over expressed in different amounts with varying results.

Collagen over expression types include: hypertrophic and keloid scars, both of which experience excessive stiff collagen bundled growth over extending the tissue, blocking off regeneration of tissues. Atrophic scarring (sunken scarring) also has an over expression of collagen blocking of regeneration, this scar type is sunken, the collagen bundles do not over extend the tissue. Stretch marks (striae) are regarded as scars to some.

Hypertrophic

Hypertrophic scars occur when the body overproduces collagen, which causes the scar to be raised above the surrounding skin. Hypertrophic scars take the form of a red raised lump on the skin. Keloid scars are a more serious form of scarring, because they can carry on growing indefinitely into a large, tumorous (although benign) neoplasm.

Hypertrophic scars are often distinguished from keloid scars by their lack of growth outside the original wound area, but this commonly taught distinction can lead to confusion. All keloid scars are hypertrophic but "only a small percentage of large scars" are keloid. Phenotypic differences exist between keloid scars and hypertrophic scars. Keloid scars can occur on anyone, but they are most common in dark-skinned people. Keloid scars can be caused by surgery, an accident, by acne or, sometimes, from body piercings. In some people, keloid scars form spontaneously. Although they can be a cosmetic problem, keloid scars are only inert masses of collagen and therefore completely harmless and non-cancerous. However, they can be itchy or painful in some individuals. They tend to be most common on the shoulders and chest. Hypertrophic scars and its subset Keloid tend to be more common in wounds closed by secondary intention.

Atrophic

An atrophic scar takes the form of a sunken recess in the skin, which has a pitted appearance. These are caused when underlying structures supporting the skin, such as fat or muscle, are lost. This type of scarring is often associated with acne, chickenpox, other diseases (especially staphylococcus [or MRSA] infection), surgery or accidents.

Stretch marks

Stretch marks (technically called ''striae'') are also a form of scarring. These are caused when the skin is stretched rapidly (for instance during pregnancy, significant weight gain or adolescent growth spurts), or when skin is put under tension during the healing process, (usually near joints). This type of scar usually improves in appearance after a few years.

Etymology

First attested in English in late 14th century, the word ''scar'' derives from Old French ''escharre'', from Late Latin ''eschara'', which is the latinisation of the Greek ἐσχάρα (''eskhara''), meaning "hearth, fire-place", but in medicine "scab, eschar on a wound caused by burning or otherwise".

Pathophysiology

If a wound re-epithelizes within two weeks there will be minimal collagen deposited and there will be no scar. And generally if a wound takes longer than three to four weeks to re-epithelize a scar forms.

The scar is a result of the body's patch up reaction after injury on many tissues.

Any injury does not become a scar until the wound has completely healed; this can take many months, or years in the worst pathological cases like keloids. To begin to patch the defect a clot is created; the clot is the beginning process that results in a provisional matrix. In the process the first layer is a provisional matrix and is not scar. Over time the wounded body tissue then over-expresses collagen inside the provisional matrix to create a collagen matrix. This collagen over expression continues and cross-links the fiber arrangement inside the collagen matrix, making the collagen dense. This densely-packed collagen, morphing into an inelastic whitish collagen scar wall, blocks off cell communication and regeneration and as a result, the new tissue that is generated will have a different texture and quality than the surrounding non-wounded tissue. This prolonged collagen-producing process results in a fortuna scar.

The scarring is created by fibroblast proliferation, a process that begins with a reaction to the clot.

To mend the damage, fibroblasts slowly form the collagen scar. The fibroblast proliferation is circular and cyclically, the fibroblast proliferation lays down thick whitish collagen inside the provisional and collagen matrix, resulting in the packed abundant production of collagen on the fibers giving scars their uneven texture. Over time, the fibroblasts continue to crawl around the matrix, adjusting more fibers and, in the process, the scarring settles and becomes stiff. This fibroblast proliferation also contracts the tissue. In non-wounded tissue, these fibers are not over expressed with thick collagen and do not contract.

The fibroblast involved in scarring and contraction is the myofibroblast. The myofibroblast is a specialized contractile fibroblast and these cells express a a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA).

The myofibroblast are absent in the first trimester in the embryonic stage which heals scar free; in small incisional or excision wounds less than 2mm that also heal without scarring; and in adult non wounded tissues were the fibroblast in itself is arrested ; however the myofibroblast is found massively in adult wound healing which heals with scar.

The myofibroblasts make up a big proportion of the fibroblasts proliferating in the post embryonic wound at the onset of healing. In the rat model for instance the myofibroblast can be up to 70% of the fibroblasts. and is responsible for fibrosis on tissue Generally the myofibroblast disappear from the wound within 30 days; but can stay around in pathological cases in hypertrophy like keloids.

As well as the fibroblast proliferation there is prolonged inflammation.

Redness that often follows an injury to the skin is not a scar, and is generally not permanent (see wound healing). The time it takes for this redness to dissipate may, however, range from a few days to, in some serious and rare cases, a few years.

Scars form differently based on the location of the injury on the body and the age of the person who was injured.

The worse the initial damage is, the worse the scar will generally be.

''Skin Scars:'' Skin scars occur when the dermis (the deep, thick layer of skin) is damaged. Most skin scars are flat and leave a trace of the original injury that caused them.

Wounds that heal by secondary intention tend to scar worse than wounds closed by primary intention.

Treatments

Early and effective treatment of acne scarring can prevent severe acne and the scarring that often follows High melanin levels and either African or Asian ancestry may make adverse scarring more noticeable. no prescription drugs for the treatment or prevention of scars were available.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels are chemicals which destroy the epidermis in a controlled manner, leading to exfoliation and the alleviation of certain skin conditions including superficial acne scars. Various chemicals can be used depending upon the depth of the peel and caution should be used, particularly for dark-skinned individuals and also including individuals susceptible to keloid formation or those with active infections.

Filler injections

Filler injections of Collagen or ArteFill can be used to raise atrophic scars to the level of surrounding skin. Risks vary based upon the filler used, and can include temporary improvement, further disfigurement, and allergic reaction.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion involves the removal of the surface of the skin with specialist equipment or not and usually involves a local anaesthetic.

Laser Treatment

Non-ablative lasers such as the 585 nm Pulsed dye laser, 1064 nm and 1320 nm Nd:YAG, or the 1540 nm Er:Glass are used as the standard laser therapy for hypertrophic scars and keloids. This therapy smooths the skin by heating up and redistributing collagen while avoiding damage to the epidermis via contact cooling. Multiple sessions are usually required for a significant reduction in redness and improvement in the texture and pliability of hypertrophic scars and keloids.

Ablative lasers such as the carbon dioxide laser or Er:YAG offer the best results for atrophic and acne scars. Like dermabrasion, ablative lasers work by destroying the epidermis to a certain depth. Healing times for ablative therapy are much longer and the risk profile is greater compared to non-ablative therapy; however, non-ablative therapy offers only minor improvements in cosmetic appearance of atrophic and acne scars.

Over the counter topical remedies

Ointments and semiocclusive dressings including mineral oil, lotions, and petrolatum-based ointments are recommended under guidelines as they promote moist healing. One 1996 trial found healing was improved but physical characteristics were unchanged, while a 2007 trial of a triple-antibiotic ointment found reduced scarring.

Radiotherapy

Low-dose, superficial radiotherapy is sometimes used to prevent recurrence of severe keloid and hypertrophic scarring. It is thought to be effective despite a lack of clinical trials, but only used in extreme cases due to the perceived risk of long-term side effects.

Semiocclusive Ointments & Pressure dressing

Silicone scar treatments are commonly used in preventing scar formation and improving existing scar appearance. Scientific evidence of efficacy is weak; however, and is likely due to increased hydration during and after healing.

Semiocclusive petroleum jelly- or dimethicone- based ointments are used to speed healing and reduce the appearance of scars and likely work in a similar manner as silicone scar sheets. Like with silicone sheets, scientific evidence regarding efficacy is weak.

Pressure dressings are commonly used in managing burn and hypertrophic scars, although supporting evidence is lacking. These involve elastic materials or gauze which apply pressure to the area. For large scars and particularly large burns, pressure garments may be worn. It is believed that they work by applying constant pressure to surface blood vessels and eventually causing scars to flatten and become softer. Retrospective and ultrasonic studies since the 1960s have supported their use, but the only randomized clinical trial found no statistically significant difference in wound healing. Care providers commonly report improvements, however, and pressure therapy has been effective in treating ear keloids. The general acceptance of the treatment as effective may prevent it from being further studied in clinical trials.

Steroids

A long term course of steroid injections under medical supervision, into the scar may help flatten and soften the appearance of keloid or hypertrophic scars.

The steroid is injected into the scar itself; since very little is absorbed into the blood stream, side effects of this treatment are minor. However, it does cause thinning of the scar tissue so it does carry risks when injected into scars caused by operations into ruptured tendons. This treatment is repeated at 4-6 week intervals.

Topical steroids are ineffective.

Surgery

Scar revision is a process of cutting the scar tissue out. After the excision, the new wound is usually closed up in order to heal by primary intention, instead of secondary intention. Deeper cuts need a multi-layered closure to heal optimally, otherwise depressed or dented scars can result.

Surgical excision of hypertrophic or keloid scars is often associated to other methods such as pressotherapy or silicone gel sheeting. Lone excision of keloid scars however shows a high recurrence rate close to 45%. A clinical study is currently ongoing to assess the benefits of a treatment combining surgery and laser-assisted healing in hypertrophic or keloid scars.

Vitamins

Research shows the use of vitamin E and onion extract (sold under Mederma) as treatments for scars is ineffective. Vitamin E causes contact dermatitis in up to 33% of users and in some cases it may worsen scar appearance. Vitamin C and some of its esters also fade the dark pigment associated with some scars.

Intentional scarring

The permanence of scarring has led to its intentional use as a form of body art within some cultures and subcultures (see scarification). These forms of ritual and non-ritual scarring practices can be found in many groups and cultures around the world.

Research

An intradermal injection of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 3 (TGFβ3) is being tested. The results of three trials already completed were published in the ''Lancet'' along with an editorial commentary.

A study implicated the protein Ribosomal s6 kinase (RSK) in the formation of scar tissue and found that the introduction of a chemical to counteract RSK could halt the formation of Cirrhosis. This treatment also has the potential to reduce or even prevent altogether other types of scarring.

Research has also implicated osteopontin in scarring.

A research group in South Africa has a combination approach using a microporous tape in addition to ''Bulbine frutescens'' for hydration and ''Centella asiatica'' for collagen conversion. A small study has shown an improved appearance of scars.

See also

Scarification

Self-injury

Wound healing

Dueling scars

References

External links

WebMD.com article

American Academy of Dermatology: "What is a scar?"

Ohio State University Medical Center article

International Scar Meeting in Tokyo 2010 International Scar Meeting

Category:Diseases involving the fasciae Category:Greek loanwords

ar:ندبة bg:Белег ca:Cicatriu cs:Jizva cy:Craith da:Ar (sår) de:Narbe (Wundheilung) et:Arm es:Cicatriz eo:Cikatro fa:جوشگاه fr:Cicatrice hr:Ožiljak io:Cikatro it:Cicatrice he:צלקת la:Cicatrix nl:Litteken (huid) ja:瘢痕 no:Arr (anatomi) nn:Arr pl:Blizna pt:Cicatriz ru:Рубец (медицина) simple:Scar sl:Brazgotina szl:Szrama fi:Arpikudos sv:Ärr tr:Skar zh:疤痕

name	Missy Higgins
alt	A woman in her twenties with short dark hair plays an acoustic guitar and sings into a microphone, lit by bright stage lights.
background	solo_singer
birth name	Melissa Morrison Higgins
birth date	August 19, 1983
origin	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
instrument	vocals, piano, synthesiser, guitar, melodica, xylophone
genre	pop
occupation	singer-songwriter, musician
years active	2001–present
label	ElevenWarner (US)
website	missyhiggins.com
notable instruments	Roland RD-700, Maton }}

Melissa "Missy" Morrison Higgins (born 19 August 1983) is an Australian pop singer-songwriter, musician and actor. Her No. 1 albums in Australia are ''The Sound of White'' (2004) and ''On a Clear Night'' (2007), and her Top Ten singles are "Scar", "The Special Two", "Steer" and "Where I Stood". From a musical family in Melbourne, she played piano by age six and sang at twelve. While boarding at Geelong Grammar School, she wrote a song for an assignment which was then entered into the national Unearthed radio competition for unsigned artists. Higgins won and signed recording contracts with Eleven and Warner Bros. After taking time off, backpacking in Europe, she recorded her first album ''The Sound of White'', which was released in 2004. The album, and its first single, "Scar" both went to No. 1 on the relevant Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Charts. Its second single, "The Special Two", went to No. 2. Higgins was nominated for five ARIA Music Awards that year and won 'Best Pop Release' for "Scar". In 2005 she was nominated for seven more awards and won five. She won her seventh ARIA in 2007.

In 2006, Higgins wrote new material for her second album, and following a US tour she recorded ''On a Clear Night'', which gave her another No. 1 single with "Steer". Higgins has conducted several well received Australian tours and performed at high-profile charity events WaveAid (2005) and Live Earth (2007). She has toured internationally and lived and worked in the United States for ten months in 2008. Her song "Where I Stood" has been used in television shows including ''Grey's Anatomy'', ''One Tree Hill'' and ''So You Think You Can Dance''. Her third album is due to be released in 2012.

Alongside her music career, Higgins pursues interests in animal rights and the environment, endeavouring to make her tours carbon neutral. She is also the patron of One in Five, an Australian mental health charity. In 2007, following years of press speculation about her sexual orientation, she came out as bisexual, saying that she prefers interviewers to focus on her music. In 2010 she made her acting debut in feature ''Bran Nue Dae'', and performed on the related soundtrack.

Biography

Early life

Melissa "Missy" Morrison Higgins was born 19 August 1983 in Melbourne, Victoria to Christopher Higgins, an English-Australian general practitioner, and Margaret (née Morrison), an Australian childcare centre operator. Her sister, Nicola is seven years older, and brother, David is six years older. She learned to play classical piano from age six, following in the footsteps of Christopher and David, but realised she wanted to be a singer at about 12 when she appeared in an Armadale Primary School production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical ''Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat''. Bored with practice, she gave up playing piano at that time. Hoping for more freedom, she urged her parents to send her to Geelong Grammar School, an independent boarding school attended by her siblings. At Geelong she took up the piano again, this time playing jazz including performing with David's group on weekends. She was introverted and found that piano practice helped her cope with living at boarding school.

At 15, she wrote "All for Believing" for a school music assignment and completed it just hours before the deadline. The assignment earned an A and she performed her song in front of classmates. She approached a Melbourne record company and was told that they wanted more than one song. She wrote more songs and worked with the Kool Skools project, which enables students to record music. In 2001, Nicola entered "All for Believing" on Higgins' behalf into Unearthed, radio station Triple J's competition for unsigned artists. The song won the competition and was added to the station's play list. Two record companies showed an interest in Higgins—Sony and Eleven. She signed with Eleven, partly because they agreed that she would not be "made into a pop star" and partly because they were happy for her to take time off for backpacking. Her manager is Eleven's John Watson, who also manages rock band Silverchair. He later said "Missy's the only time in my career I knew after 90 seconds I really wanted to sign her." The backpacking trip had been planned with a friend for years and they spent most of 2002 in Europe; while she was travelling, "All for Believing" started to be played by Los Angeles radio station KCRW. This brought attention from US record labels and, by year's end, an international recording deal with Warner Bros.

2003–2005: ''The Sound of White''

Higgins was the support act on a 2003 Australian tour by folk rock band The Waifs and rock band george. She travelled to the US to work with producer, John Porter, and recorded her first extended play (EP) entitled ''Missy Higgins'', which was released in November and entered the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Singles Chart Top 50 in August 2004.

She toured Australia, supporting both Pete Murray and The John Butler Trio. Her second four-track EP ''Scar'' was released in July. The title track "Scar", co-written with US songwriter, Kevin Griffin, debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Charts. Her first album, ''The Sound of White'', was released in September, and debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Also produced by Porter, it sold over 500,000 copies. She was nominated in five categories at the ARIA Music Awards of 2004 for "Scar": Best Female Artist', 'Single of the Year', 'Best Pop Release', 'Breakthrough Artist – Single' and 'Best Video' (directed by Squareyed Films). At the awards ceremony on 17 October she received the award for Best Pop Release, beating Delta Goodrem, The Dissociatives, Kylie Minogue and Pete Murray. This was followed by her first national headline tour. Her second single "Ten Days" was co-written with Jay Clifford (guitarist in US band Jump, Little Children) and was inspired by Higgins' 2002 break-up with her boyfriend before she travelled to Europe. Released in November, it peaked at No. 12.

On 29 January 2005 Higgins performed with other local musicians including Nick Cave and Powderfinger at the WaveAid fundraising concert in the Sydney Cricket Ground. The concert raised A$2.3 million for four charities supporting the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. In March Higgins performed at the MTV Australia Awards and won the prize for 'Breakthrough Artist of the Year'. The following month she released her third single, "The Special Two", which was a radio hit and reached No. 2. "The Special Two" was released on an EP which included her cover of the Skyhooks song, "You Just Like Me Cos I'm Good In Bed", recorded for Triple J's 30th anniversary. The song had been the first track played on Triple J when it launched (as Double J) in 1975. In May, Higgins won the 'Song of the Year' and 'Breakthrough' awards for "Scar" from the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). She continued touring in mid-2005 and released her fourth single, "The Sound of White", in August. In September she played a sold out performance at the Vanguard in Sydney with the proceeds going to One in Five, her sponsored mental health charity. She was nominated for seven more ARIAs and in October won 'Album of the Year', 'Best Pop Release', 'Breakthrough Artist – Album' and 'Highest Selling Album' (all for ''The Sound of White'') and 'Best Female Artist' (for "Scar"). She teamed up with fellow ARIA award-winning singer Ben Lee in late 2005 for a national tour.

2006–2009: ''On a Clear Night''

During 2006, Higgins lived in Broome, Western Australia for six months, away from the entertainment industry. The relaxed lifestyle helped her focus on writing new material. The landscape made a big impression, "It was the first place I'd ever felt honestly connected with my country, with the physical land of my country" and inspired her to write "Going North". She then toured the United States and South Africa, writing more material on the road. In September she based herself in Los Angeles to record her second album, ''On a Clear Night'', with producer Mitchell Froom. "Steer" was released as an EP, followed a fortnight later by its album on 28 April 2007, both debuted at No. 1 on their respective charts.

In February, Higgins had contributed a tribute song to the album, ''Cannot Buy My Soul'', for noted indigenous singer, Kev Carmody, singing "Droving Woman" with musician Paul Kelly and group Augie March. On 7 July, she participated in the Live Earth concert in Sydney, performing her own set before joining Carmody, Kelly and vocalist John Butler on stage for the song "From Little Things Big Things Grow". Emily Dunn in ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' wrote "[the song] could have been the event's anthem". ''Rolling Stone'''s Dan Lander pointed out a highlight, when the "whole crowd sung along – all eleven verses."

Higgins returned to Los Angeles to focus on the US market—she spent September and October touring—where she was still relatively unknown. On 26 October, backed by the Sydney Youth Orchestra, she headlined the annual Legs 11 concert, a breast cancer benefit held in The Domain, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Two days later Higgins performed at the 2007 ARIAs where she was nominated for 'Best Pop Release', 'Highest Selling Album' and 'Highest Selling Single' (for "Steer") and won 'Best Female Artist' (for ''On a Clear Night'')—her seventh ARIA Music Award. On 31 October, she was a guest at television music channel MAX's inaugural Concert for the Cure, a private concert for people affected by breast cancer. She sang headline act Powderfinger's "Sunsets" with front man Bernard Fanning and joined in with the encore of "These Days". She spent November and December on her For One Night Only Tour, taking in Cairns, Sydney and Perth. You Am I lead singer, Tim Rogers, joined her on some shows.

''On a Clear Night'', was released in the US on 26 February 2008, supported by a tour in March. Her ten-month stay in Los Angeles during 2008 promoted her songs for films and television shows. Her first US single "Where I Stood" was featured in US series including ''Grey's Anatomy'', ''One Tree Hill'' and ''So You Think You Can Dance''. During 2008, Higgins supported the Indigo Girls and then Ben Folds on their respective US tours. February and March 2009 saw her co-headlining a US tour with Canadian Justin Nozuka. On 31 March she released an EP, ''More Than This'' in Australia featuring cover versions of "More Than This" by Roxy Music, "(I'm) In Love Again" by Peggy Lee, "Breakdown" by Tom Petty and "Moses" by Patty Griffin. "Moses" had been included on Triple J's 2005 compilation album ''Like a Version: Volume One'' and "More Than This" was recorded as part of ''Covered, A Revolution in Sound'', a Warner Bros. tribute album also released in March 2009.

2010–present: third album

Higgins started writing music for her third album in 2009. After about seven years of touring and recording she took a break from the music industry to pursue other interests. In 2010 she enrolled in a course in indigenous studies at the University of Melbourne. Her acting debut was as Annie in 2010 film ''Bran Nue Dae'' directed by Rachel Perkins. The film is an adaptation of the 1990 musical, ''Bran Nue Dae'', "Australia's first Aboriginal musical". Although Higgins would consider future acting projects she has no plans to actively pursue it as a career.

In July and August 2010, Higgins played several dates of Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair tour in the US. At Lilith Fair, she met Australian musician Butterfly Boucher and they decided to work together. In 2011, Higgins travelled to Boucher's hometown Nashville to record her third album, which is co-produced by Boucher and Brad Jones. The as-yet unnamed album is due for release in 2012.

Personal life

As a vegetarian, Higgins promoted the health benefits of not eating meat in a 2005 advertising campaign by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA); and has supported their anti-fur stance. She is interested in environmental issues and is involved with the Sierra Club, a grassroots organisation based in California. She has protested against the proposed industrialisation of the Kimberley region of Western Australia and donated the royalties from her 2009 EP ''More Than This''. Since early 2007, Higgins has tried to make her tours carbon neutral, she purchases green energy to power venues, uses hybrid cars where possible and purchases carbon offsets.

From 2004 to 2007, Higgins' sexual orientation was the subject of media speculation based partly on interpretations of her lyrics and her interviews. In an October 2007 interview with Australian lesbian magazine ''Cherrie'', she was asked if she fell under the moniker of "not-so-straight" girls. She replied "Um, yeah, definitely. ... I think sexuality is a fluid thing and it's becoming increasingly more acceptable to admit that you're that way." In November her MySpace page reported, "I’ve been in relationships with both men and women so I guess I fall most easily under the category 'Bisexual'". She went on to say that she wanted future interviews to focus on her music rather than her sexuality. In a March 2008 interview with AfterEllen.com, Higgins said that her song "Secret" was written about an ex-girlfriend who was not comfortable, at first, about going public with their relationship; "I was so head over heels in love with her I kind of wanted to shout it out to the world, so it was just a song about keeping something under the covers ... keeping it away locked in a little room."

Higgins has been a patron of Australian mental health charity One in Five since 2003. She described her younger self as "a bit of a depressed child" and "introverted", and that she had "experienced various degrees of depression". Prescribed antidepressant medication while in high school, she learned to channel low moods into song writing, calling music her "emotional outlet". In a 2006 interview she said that her songs were "coming from more of a happier place". While recording her second album she discovered a passion for rock climbing, as a "meditative pursuit" and that, "It's the first thing I've had—other than music—that I'm passionate about."

Musical influences and technique

Higgins grew up in the 1980s and 1990s listening to artists that her older siblings liked—Nicola played Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, while David favoured Queen and Kiss. Departing for boarding school at age 13, she was exposed to alternative artists like Nirvana and Courtney Love and started teaching herself guitar and writing her own music. She also began singing with David's jazz group on weekends. As an adult she prefers Nina Simone and Ray Charles to "poppy dance music". She has cited Patty Griffin, Ron Sexsmith, Rufus Wainwright, Paul Kelly and Sarah McLachlan as influences. Material from her yet-to-be-released third album is influenced by ambient music from Low, Jon Hopkins, Icelandic band Sigur Rós and Estonian classical composer Arvo Pärt.

Higgins' song writing grew out of a desire to express her emotions when she was at school and her lyrics describe her feelings about her own life and relationships. The piano was the first instrument she learned to play, and she continues to use it as well as digital pianos including a Roland RD-300SX, RD-700 and KR-15. She also uses guitars extensively in her music particularly when touring, due to their portable nature and favours the Australian brand, Maton. On occasion she plays xylophone and melodica during performances.

Discography

2004: ''The Sound of White''

2007: ''On a Clear Night''

Filmography

2010: ''Bran Nue Dae'' as Annie

Awards

Higgins has won seven ARIA Music Awards from nineteen nominations. She has won two APRA Awards for songwriting and an MTV Australia Video Music Award.

2004 ARIA Awards, Best Pop Release for "Scar"

2005 MTV Australia Video Music Awards, Breakthrough Artist of the Year

2005 APRA Awards, Breakthrough Award for "Scar"

2005 APRA Awards, Song of the Year for "Scar"

2005 ARIA Awards, Breakthrough Artist – Album for ''The Sound of White''

2005 ARIA Awards, Best Pop Release for ''The Sound of White''

2005 ARIA Awards, Highest Selling Album for ''The Sound of White''

2005 ARIA Awards, Best Female Artist for ''The Sound of White''

2005 ARIA Awards, Album of the Year for ''The Sound of White''

2007 ARIA Awards, Best Female Artist for ''On a Clear Night''

Notes

References

;General Note: [on-line] version established at White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd in 2007 and was expanded from the 2002 edition.

;Specific

External links

Missy Higgins discography at MusicBrainz

Category:1983 births Category:ARIA Award winners Category:Australian female guitarists Category:Australian female singers Category:Australian pianists Category:Australian singer-songwriters Category:Australian vegetarians Category:Bisexual musicians Category:LGBT musicians from Australia Category:Living people Category:People educated at Geelong Grammar School Category:Singers from Melbourne

bg:Миси Хигинс de:Missy Higgins es:Missy Higgins fr:Missy Higgins it:Missy Higgins pt:Missy Higgins simple:Missy Higgins sr:Миси Хигинс sh:Missy Higgins fi:Missy Higgins sv:Missy Higgins