What to do when scar tissue hurts?

Author: Dr. Hollie Hodkiewicz  |  Last update: Thursday, December 11, 2025

Due to how scar tissue matures, these symptoms may occur years after an injury. Helping scar tissue mature and heal at home may improve these symptoms. Massage, moisturizers, and silicone gel, among other at-home treatments, can also help.

What is the best thing to put on scar tissue?

silicone dressings or gels. steroid injections or cream. cryotherapy (a treatment to freeze the scar)

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.

Does rubbing scar tissue break it up?

As the pressure is applied, scar tissue is softened and broken down. As the pressure is released, an increase in blood flow occurs to help repair damage and improve the muscles condition. Frictions are often used to break down scar tissue.

What kills scar tissue?

Laser surgery.

Most laser therapy for scars is done in conjunction with other treatments, including injections of steroids, use of special dressings, and the use of bandages. Multiple treatments may be required, regardless of the initial type of therapy. Pulse dye laser is a good choice to use for keloids.

Can Scar Tissue Contribute to Pain

Does heat help break up scar tissue?

Heat helps to soften up the scar tissue that exists as a result of an old injury or a previous surgery. Scar tissue is formed in random, criss-crossing patterns, has poor circulation, and contracts when you sleep. Stiff, old scar tissue is not your friend.

What does internal scar tissue pain feel like?

Description of Scar Tissue Pain

It is often described as aching, burning, stabbing, throbbing, or tingling in or around the scarred area.

What happens if you don't massage scar tissue?

You should carry on massaging your scars for at least three to six months after your surgery or injury. What happens if I do not do anything? Your scar could become hard and inflexible or adhesions may form. Scars that cross a joint could stop you being able to bend or straighten the joint (a contracture).

What will soften scar tissue?

There are also liquid silicone gels that can be worn during the day if you wish. Massaging the scar with Vitamin E Oil, Mederma™, or other lotions can help soften the scar.

Is Vaseline good for scar tissue?

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.

What causes old scar tissue to hurt?

Scar Tissue Pain

This is because nerve endings regenerate over time. Pain can also result from fibroblasts causing prolonged inflammation, with symptoms of itching, swelling, tenderness, and sensitivity. This condition is called fibrosis.

Can you get rid of scar tissue without surgery?

The physical therapist can break up scar tissue by applying pressure to the affected area. This pressure leads to an inflammatory response around the affected area, which allows the body to reabsorb unneeded scar tissue and promotes the healing of adhesions.

Does internal scar tissue keep growing?

Why internal scars won't stop growing. Normal scar tissue forms to heal an internal wound and quietly retreats when the job is done. But in many common diseases — kidney, liver and lung fibrosis — the scar tissue goes rogue and strangles vital organs. These diseases are largely untreatable and ultimately fatal.

How to break up scar tissue at home?

Put the flat part of your fingers on the scar. Move the skin and tissue under the scar back and forth, holding for a few seconds. Make sure you press enough to feel the scar “move” under your fingertips. Move your fingers along to the next section of scar, and repeat until you've massaged all along the scar.

What causes scar tissue to flare up?

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.

Does stretching break up scar tissue?

Mild-to-moderate exercise increases circulation and improves range of motion. Targeted exercise also helps prevent and reduce scar tissue overgrowth. Stretching promotes proper remodeling and improves scar tissue flexibility.

What breaks up scar tissue the best?

There are many types of therapies for scar tissue, but the standard treatment commonly involves exercise and massage — specifically, stretching and pulling the scar tissue to soften, align and elongate it.

What's better for scar tissue, heat or ice?

Heat helps reduce scar tissue formation and relieves the aching caused by the chronic stage of inflammation. Apply heat as described in the Subacute stage of inflammation as needed and receive at least 1 massage a month to reduce scar tissue formation.

Does rubbing scar tissue break it down?

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. It can also help alleviate any itching and over-sensitivity of the scar.

How to help scar tissue pain?

Some studies have reported reduction in pain and itching with massage therapy. It is felt that massage can help with the underlying elasticity of the scar tissue by breaking down adhesive tissue and increase pliability and glide.

Do cortisone shots get rid of scar tissue?

A steroid is injected directly into the scar. This can help soften and then shrink hard scars. Keloids and hypertrophic scars often soften after this treatment. Cryosurgery.

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