How do you know if a scar is permanent?

Author: Dr. Mack Ratke MD  |  Last update: Monday, July 14, 2025

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. If your scar becomes raised and rubbery instead of flat, this could be an abnormal scar process (photo C).

What determines if a scar is permanent?

Most scars fade over time and don't cause long-term health problems. How a scar changes depends on its location, size and type. 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.

What does a permanent scar look like?

A scar may appear flat, lumpy, sunken, or colored. It may be painful or itchy. The final look of a scar depends on many factors, including the skin type and location on the body, the direction of the wound, the type of injury, age of the person with the scar, and his or her nutritional status.

Which scars are not permanent?

Hypertrophic Scars – Raised scars that remain within the boundaries of the initial injury, incision or trauma, hypertrophic scars can be red and raised enough to be readily noticeable. In some cases, hypertrophic scars will fade over time on their own.

Can scars fade after 10 years?

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. Scarring is a natural part of the healing process following tissue damage. Most wounds cause the skin tissue to break, releasing collagen.

Phases of Wound Healing Explained - How a Cut Becomes a Scar | Corporis

How do you know if a scar will fade?

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. If your scar becomes raised and rubbery instead of flat, this could be an abnormal scar process (photo C).

Why is my scar still red after 10 years?

Hypertrophic scars occur when there is a lot of tension around a healing wound. These scars are thick and raised, and often red in color. They may remain like this for several years. Hypertrophic scars are the result of an imbalance in collagen at the site of the wound.

What scars will never go away?

Keloid Scars

Some keloids continue to grow months or years after the original injury heals. A true Keloid scar extends beyond the area of insult where a hypertrophic scar is increased scar tissue that stays within the borders of the original injury. Scientists aren't sure why some scars develop in this way.

Can vaseline remove scars?

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.

What color is a fully healed scar?

COLOR: 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.

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.

What is the hardest scar 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.

How long before scar tissue is permanent?

A scar is a mark on the skin after a wound or injury has healed. You cannot get rid of a scar, but most will fade over time. This can take up to 2 years or more, but there are some things you can do to help it heal or improve how it looks.

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 does my scar hurt when I touch it?

Some people experience scar tissue pain due to fibrosis, which occurs when the body grows excessive scar tissue. Fibrosis causes adhesions that may lead to ongoing pain, inflammation, and loss of function of the tissue or joint. Fibroblasts, which form during scar tissue growth, are responsible for fibrosis.

What mental illness does a Scar have?

As one of the most heartless cartoon characters in Disney, Scar from The Lion King grew up in his older brother's shadow, which fueled his thirst for power and control. This need for domination, coupled with his APD diagnosis, led to Scar's brutal killing of his brother Mufasa, for which he shows no remorse.

Who can defeat Scar?

At the end of the episode, Kion defeats Scar by summoning the Great Kings of the Past, to bring punishment onto Scar for his actions, which results in his evaporation, freeing the Pride Lands and the Outlands from his rule forever.

Why is Scar black?

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).

Which type of scar is permanent?

Keloid scars.

Instead of stopping when the skin is healed, the body keeps making collagen for months — or even years — after the injury, creating a raised scar. These types of scars can form anywhere but are most common on the abdomen, back, chest, ear, jaw, or shoulders.

What scars are the worst?

These areas include the ears, the top of the shoulder and the area in front of the breastbone (sternum). There are lots of theories as to why this may be. Some people have suggested that it is due to the genes at these sites which have a more angry response to injury.

Does vaseline help scars go away?

Use Vaseline® Jelly for Scars

By sealing in moisture it also helps to reduce dryness of scarred skin, once your skin has healed. This may help to improve the appearance of scars, making the skin look smoother and softer, as well as help to reduce itchiness caused by dryness.

Can scars become cancerous?

Skin cancer can also develop in scar tissue that forms after a serious burn or other injury. The skin cancer that most commonly forms where skin has been badly burned is squamous cell skin cancer, which tends to appear years after the injury.

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