Scars may be darker at first and fade to a lighter color over time as part of the scar maturation process. Mature scars can also flatten out as they go through this aging process, but it's important to note that scars will never go away completely.
You cannot get rid of a scar, but most scars fade over time without any treatment. If a scar is more severe or bothering you, a GP may be able to recommend treatments or refer you to a specialist. The aim of treatment is to help improve how the scar looks.
How long does it take for untreated scars to fade? Depending on the scar type, scars can take up to two years to fade naturally. After the two-year mark, it's unlikely your scar will fade anymore.
Scar Process
It will take six to 18 months for the scar to have its final appearance. Your scar should gradually soften and fade over these six to 18 months, but will look pink initially (photo B). Some scars never fade. If your scar stays pink after 12 to 18 months please call to discuss options.
Initially, all scars are a brighter, beefy red. As time passes, the scar turns a purple-y red (yes, I know these are technical terms). Then a dull darker purple red. And then they finally fade.
Scar discoloration is primarily caused by: Increased Melanin Production: In response to inflammation and injury, the skin produces more melanin, leading to hyperpigmentation (Nautiyal & Wairkar, 2021). Vascular Changes: Increased blood flow and vessel formation contribute to erythematous scars (Fitzpatrick, 1994).
Cocoa butter cream and Vaseline are most often used to help reduce the appearance of scars. Applying the ointment daily will help heal scars but will not make them invisible. Another tip for caring for your scars includes surgery. Surgery will not eliminate the scar but can change its shape or make it less noticeable.
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While some scars won't go away by themselves, there are others where time does the trick to minimize the appearance of the scar. For dark scars that are primarily superficial, the best scar removal treatment is simply time and your natural skin cell turnover cycle.
Scars seem to get worse before they get better. For about six weeks after surgery the scar becomes red, firm and hard. This is the body's way of making a very strong and solid scar. Over the next four months the scar will soften and lose the redness.
For best results, you should perform scar massage for at least 10 minutes, twice a day, for six months. You should only stop sooner than that if the scar starts showing signs of infection or you experience intolerable discomfort.
Keloid scars
A keloid scar is an overgrowth of tissue that occurs when too much collagen is produced at the site of the wound. The scar keeps growing, even after the wound has healed. Keloid scars are raised above the skin and are red or purple when newly formed, before gradually becoming paler.
It is important to regularly moisturise it to prevent drying or cracking. It is best to use non-perfumed hypo-allergenic moisturisers (for example, Cetraben) to prevent any itching or irritation at the site. Apply this gently while the scar is fragile, ideally 3 to 4 times a day.
He explains that “a scar is actually a bunch of unorganized collagen in the dermal layer of the skin.” Over time, the tissue will try to reorganize, and the scar may appear to soften, but the skin may never completely return to its original state — particularly if the cut extends beyond the epidermis, the skin's outer ...
Laser treatment can also make a scar less noticeable, but it cannot get rid of a scar. When you have laser scar treatment, you're replacing one scar with another less-noticeable scar. 2. Your results depend largely on the skills of the person performing the laser treatment.
Epidermal PIH can last for 6 to 12 months or more. Dermal PIH can take years to fade, and spots may be permanent. There is also a chance new spots can show up, or that your PIH will come back again after fading. Treatment for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation often involves more than one method.
Atrophic scars are the opposite of hypertrophic scars. They are depressed, sunken and often have a pitted appearance.
Silicone gels and sheets, which experts say have the best evidence of reducing the appearance of scars, form a seal over the skin to maintain skin hydration and protect it from the environment.
Adding regular massage sessions to scar recovery can help clients better manage the sometimes troubling side effects of the healing process. A scar is the result of the body's natural attempt to heal lost or damaged skin and is usually composed of fibrous tissue.
A scar may fade so much that you can barely see it, but it never completely goes away. Some scars cause problems months or years later. As nerve endings grow back, the scar may become painful or itchy. Skin cancer can develop in scars, especially in burn scars.