Do scars darken as they heal?

Author: Arno Hayes  |  Last update: Friday, May 2, 2025

Scar Maturation: Scars can change color as they heal and mature. Initially, scars may be red or pink and then darken over time before eventually lightening.

Do scars get darker while healing?

Your scar may be reddened at first and then settle down to become smoother and paler in colour. It can take up to 12-18 months after your injury or operation for a scar to heal. A normal scar will become darker initially and after a period of time this will start to fade.

Why do my scars turn dark?

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).

What color do scars turn when healing?

Scars on the face usually heal the best, while those on the back, chest, abdomen, or upper arms and legs might not heal as well because they stretch more over time. 2. At first, scar tissue is usually red, then it turns pink for about 3-6 months before fading to a slightly lighter color than your normal skin.

How long do scars stay brown?

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.

DO THIS to Prevent Scar Darkening!

How long before a scar goes white?

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.

How to reduce scar darkness?

How to Make Scars Less Visible
  1. 1/12. Medicated Creams or Gels. Over-the-counter skin medications such as creams or gels can help. ...
  2. 2/12. Silicone Gel. ...
  3. 3/12. Zinc Supplements. ...
  4. 4/12. Scar Massage. ...
  5. 5/12. Injections. ...
  6. 6/12. Chemical Peel or Dermabrasion. ...
  7. 7/12. Laser Therapy. ...
  8. 8/12. Microneedling.

When is it too late to massage scar tissue?

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.

When do scars look their worst?

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.

What color is correct for scars?

Green – Directly across from red on the color wheel, green concealer neutralizes redness and is among the best makeup to cover acne scars as well as blemishes, rosacea, and any other redness on your face such as around your nose or between your brows.

Do scars get darker as you age?

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. This process varies from person to person, but usually takes about a year to finally fade.

What does an atrophic scar look like?

Atrophic scars are the opposite of hypertrophic scars. They are depressed, sunken and often have a pitted appearance.

Why is my old scar turning dark?

Sun exposure can make a scar darker. Repeated exposure increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Keep up your nutrition: Having low levels of vitamin D or C in your system can make scarring worse and you need adequate high quality protein in your diet to help your skin make what is needed to heal.

Does skin turn darker when healing?

Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is darkening of the skin in an area of prior injury or inflammation from increased pigment (melanin) left from the healing process.

How do I know if my scar is healing?

As healing continues, you may notice that the area itches. After the scab falls off, the area may look stretched, red, and shiny. The scar that forms will be smaller than the original wound. It will be less strong and less flexible than the surrounding skin.

What are the hardest scars to treat?

Hypertrophic scars that result from burn wounds are more difficult to treat. Superficial burn wounds usually heal without forming hypertrophic scars. Deep burn wounds are harder to treat. Many dermatologic and plastic surgeons treat these by removing the burned area and then using a skin graft.

Should you apply moisturizer to scar tissue?

It is important to not let your scar become dry. During massage and throughout the day, you can apply lotion or vitamin E. If you decide to use lotion, be sure to use something that is gentle and without perfume, such as Eucerin or Cocoa Butter.

What should a scar look like after 3 months?

The scar will tend to remain red for 1-6 months afterwards. After that as the collagen, fibers and scar organizes and matures, the scar tends to contract down and flatten out. The color becomes less red and begins to take on the color and appearance of the surrounding tissue. It will then gently fade with time.

Does rubbing a scar help it fade?

Massage is a way of softening and flattening scars and reducing the adhesions between the different layers of the tissue, making the scar tissue more flexible.

When is it too late to use silicone gel for scars?

The timing of silicone scar sheet use can affect its efficacy, but it is generally never too late to start using them. While the best results are often seen when treatment begins shortly after wound closure or the formation of a scar, established scars can also show improvement.

What are the stages of scar healing?

Numerous products are available that claim to decrease postoperative scar formation and improve wound healing. These products attempt to create an ideal environment for wound healing by targeting the three phases of wound healing: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.

When should you stop putting vaseline on a wound?

This will help keep the wound moist and allow it to heal faster with less scarring. Continue applying the petroleum jelly until the wound has fully healed. Open wounds heal more slowly. A large wound can take 4 weeks or more to heal.

Why is my wound getting darker?

There are a few reasons why a scar might turn dark. For example, if a scar was exposed to sunlight during the healing process, there's a good chance the scar tissue will become pigmented. Dark scars can also be caused by inflammation, poor healing, or the genetics of your skin and how your skin heals.

Previous article
Is holding a squat for 1 minute good?
Next article
What toner do I use if my hair is yellow?