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Everything You Need to Know About Scars

Everything You Need to Know About Scars

Consultant-led scar guidance

Understand how scars heal, how to care for them after surgery, what changes are normal, and what treatment options are available if a scar is causing concern.

What would you like help with?

  • Understand My Scar

    Understand My Scar

    Learn how scars form, how they change over time, and the different types of scars.

  • Look After a New Scar

    Look After a New Scar

    Guidance on caring for a scar after surgery - silicone, massage, sun protection and healing.

  • Improve an Existing Scar

    Improve an Existing Scar

    Understand the options available when a scar remains raised, red, wide, indented or problematic.

How scars heal

A scar’s appearance continues to change for many months. It is normal for a new scar to look red, raised or firm at first, and to gradually soften and fade over time. Most scars take up to two years to reach their final appearance, so the way a scar looks in the early weeks is not how it will look once it has fully matured.

Learn about scar healing

  • Surgery

    Surgery

  • Early Healing

    Early Healing

  • Red / Pink Scar

    Red / Pink Scar

  • Scar Maturation

    Scar Maturation

  • Final Scar

    Final Scar

Explore by concern

Scar treatment options

The right approach depends on the type of scar, and not every treatment suits every scar. Your surgeon can advise on what may be appropriate for you.

  • Silicone Treatment

    Silicone Treatment

    Silicone gels and sheets are commonly used while a scar is maturing and may help a red or raised scar settle.

  • Steroid Injections

    Steroid Injections

    Used in selected raised or thickened scars to help soften and flatten them and ease itching or discomfort.

  • Laser Treatment

    Laser Treatment

    May help improve a scar's colour, texture or redness in selected cases.

  • Microneedling

    Microneedling

    May help improve the texture of selected scars.

  • Surgical Scar Revision

    Surgical Scar Revision

    Surgery intended to improve the position, width or appearance of an existing scar.

  • Combination Treatment

    Combination Treatment

    Some scars may benefit from more than one approach used together.

Scars after cosmetic surgery

You can also read about the procedures themselves: breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, tummy tuck, facelift, eyelid surgery and liposuction.

When should you speak to a surgeon?

Most scars settle well with time and simple care. You may wish to seek specialist advice if a scar:

  • becomes increasingly painful
  • becomes raised or thickened
  • widens significantly
  • remains very red or dark
  • restricts movement
  • changes unexpectedly
  • remains a concern after the normal healing period

These changes do not necessarily mean anything is wrong, but a consultant plastic surgeon can assess the scar and talk you through whether any treatment may help.

This information is for general guidance only and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified clinician. Reviewed against NHS guidance.

When should you speak to a surgeon?

A consultant plastic surgeon can assess your scar and talk you through whether any treatment may help.

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