Do Scars Change Over Time?

People who have visible scars are usually the ones who ask whether or not scars change appearance over time. We can’t help but be concerned about what the scar looks like to others and if it will draw attention or cause embarrassment.

All scars mature over time. A wound heals to form a scab and when enough healing has occurred under the scab, the scab falls off and leaves a scar. At first, the scar is quite red, indicating that there’s blood flow to the area as well as inflammation. It may be firm and thick at first, but over time it softens and feels more like the surrounding normal skin. Eventually, the redness fades and the scar turns lighter in color.

Sunlight on a Scar Doesn’t Help Healing

One factor that affects how scars change over time is their exposure to sunlight. Scar tissue acts differently when exposed to the sun than regular skin. Scars don’t like the sun’s rays, which may aggravate them and make them redder or darker. This is known as “hyperpigmentation.”

The Location of a Scar Can Determine How Obvious it is

Another factor that affects how scars look is their location. For example, an incision from surgery may be strategically placed in a natural skin crease or in a shadow where it is not as noticeable. Plastic surgeons are very skillful at this.

For example, when a plastic surgeon performs a rhinoplasty (or “nose job”), the incision is usually made under the tip of nose where it is hidden in the skin crease or by the shadow of the nose. The resulting scar is usually unnoticeable within six months.

Even if the scar is placed in the “ideal” location, there are no guarantees it will heal well and be unnoticeable. Your scar may become thick, raised and red. This is known as a hypertrophic scar. With the right treatment, hypertrophic scars can soften and become smaller over time.

Scars that initially look like hypertrophic scars but then grow beyond the initial injury to involve normal skin are called keloids. A keloid scar doesn’t get smaller on its own. In fact, it’s quite the opposite; without the correct treatment, keloids can keep growing and can be very difficult to control. Keloid scars tend to occur in darker skin individuals.

Should You Just Wait for Nature to Take its Course?

If you have a problem scar, particularly a hypertrophic or keloid scar, it’s best to start treatment as soon as possible. The earlier you start, the better your chances of improvement.

The information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please speak to your doctor to treat any medical condition. Information on this site is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.