Scar Treatment

Traumatic scars, surgical scars and injury-related scars.

What are scars?

A scar is an area of fibrous tissue that forms when the skin repairs itself after damage. This healing process involves the production of collagen, which helps strengthen the skin but can sometimes result in changes to the texture, colour or appearance of the affected area.

Scars can develop after many different types of skin injury, including surgical procedures, accidents, burns, cuts, trauma or inflammatory skin conditions. The appearance of a scar can depend on several factors, including the depth and location of the injury, genetics, skin type and how the wound heals over time.

While some scars naturally become less noticeable as they mature, others may remain raised, indented, discoloured or uneven in texture. A consultation can help determine which treatment options may be suitable.

What causes scars?

Scars develop as part of the body’s natural healing response following damage to the skin. Common causes of scars include:

• Surgery

Surgical procedures intentionally create an incision in the skin, which can result in a scar as the body repairs the area. Surgical scars can vary depending on the procedure, location and individual healing response.

• Injury or trauma

Cuts, accidents, falls, burns and other injuries can damage the deeper layers of the skin and may result in visible scarring as the area heals.

• Burns

Burn injuries can affect different layers of the skin and may result in changes to texture, colour and flexibility depending on the severity of the injury.

• Inflammation or skin conditions

Inflammation within the skin can sometimes affect the healing process and contribute to changes in skin texture or pigmentation.

• Individual healing response

Factors such as genetics, age, skin type and how the wound heals can influence whether a scar becomes raised, thickened, stretched or more noticeable.

Raised scars (Hypertrophic scars)

Hypertrophic scars occur when excess collagen is produced during the healing process, causing the scar tissue to become raised above the surrounding skin.

These scars typically remain within the original area of injury and may become thicker, firmer or more noticeable over time.

Commonly associated with:

• Surgical scars
• Injuries or trauma
• Burns

Keloid scars

Keloid scars are a type of raised scar where excess scar tissue extends beyond the original area of skin injury. Keloids can continue to grow beyond the boundaries of the initial wound and may cause symptoms such as itchiness, tenderness or discomfort.

Commonly associated with:

• Genetics and individual healing response
• Areas such as the chest, shoulders, upper back and earlobes

Are keloid scars and hypertrophic scars the same?

Keloid scars and hypertrophic scars are both types of raised scars that occur due to an overproduction of collagen during the skin’s healing process. While they may look similar, they are not the same.

The main difference is how the scar tissue develops in relation to the original injury. Hypertrophic scars remain within the boundaries of the original wound and may become less noticeable over time as the scar matures. Keloid scars extend beyond the original area of injury and can continue to grow over time. They may also cause symptoms such as itchiness, tenderness or discomfort.

Understanding whether a scar is hypertrophic or keloid is an important step in determining the most appropriate treatment approach.

When should you seek treatment for scars?