Wide or Stretched Scars
When a scar spreads
Why some scars widen or stretch over time, and the options that may help improve them.
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.
