Why scars widen
Scars tend to widen where the skin is under tension or moves a lot during healing. Common areas include the shoulders, back and tummy. A scar that starts as a fine line can gradually stretch and become wider or flatter over the first months.
Can a widened scar be improved
Once a scar has fully matured, surgical scar revision may be able to narrow, reposition or tidy a wide scar. Revision reshapes a scar to heal more neatly rather than removing it, and the aim is an improved scar, not no scar.
Reducing the risk while healing
Avoiding tension and heavy stretching across a healing wound, and following your surgical team’s guidance on activity, can help reduce widening. Supportive taping or silicone is sometimes recommended.
When to seek advice
If a scar has widened and settled, a consultation can help you understand whether revision or other 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.