Scar management

Every wound heals by laying down scar tissue, and most scars fade over months into a thin pale line. Some do not. A scar may stay raised, spread wider than the original injury, become tethered to the tissue beneath, sit in an awkward position, or remain a different colour to the surrounding skin. Scar management covers both the non-surgical measures that improve a scar as it matures and the surgical options for scars that have settled badly — and part of the assessment is deciding which of the two you actually need, and when.

Anaesthetic: Local, or general for larger scars
Hospital stay: Usually a day case
Time off work: Varies with site
Final result: Scars mature over 12–18 months

A general guide only — your own timeline is confirmed at consultation.

What it involves

Timing matters as much as technique. A scar continues to change for twelve to eighteen months, so operating too early often achieves less than waiting. Non-surgical management may include silicone sheeting or tape, massage, sun protection, and steroid injections for thickened scars. Surgical revision removes the old scar and closes the wound again more favourably — repositioning it into a natural crease or skin line, releasing a tethered or contracted scar, or breaking up a long straight scar so it catches the eye less. Facial scars are planned around the boundaries of the face and its natural shadows, where small differences in position matter a great deal.

Who it may suit

May suit you if a scar is raised, wide, uneven, tethered, restricting movement, or positioned where it draws attention — whether it followed surgery, an accident, a burn or an infection. An honest point: revision aims to improve a scar, not remove it. A scar cannot be erased, and the operation leaves a new one, so the question is always whether the new scar is likely to be better than the old. Where the problem is a keloid rather than a thickened scar, the approach is different and the plan around the surgery matters more than the surgery itself.

Recovery

Most scar revisions are day procedures under local anaesthetic, with larger or more complex scars done under general anaesthetic. Stitches are usually removed or dissolve within one to two weeks. The new scar passes through the same maturation as any other: firm, pink and more noticeable for the first three to six months, then softening and fading over twelve to eighteen months. Taping, silicone and sun protection during that window make a real difference to the final result, and the scar should not be judged before it has matured.

This page is a general guide. Every procedure is planned individually — the details, risks and recovery relevant to you are discussed at consultation.

Common questions

Can a scar be removed completely?

No. Any treatment that involves cutting leaves a new scar, so the aim is a scar that is flatter, narrower, better positioned or less visible — not no scar at all. For some scars the honest advice is that revision would not improve on what you already have.

How long should I wait before having a scar revised?

Usually at least a year. Scars continue to soften, flatten and fade for twelve to eighteen months, and a scar that looks poor at three months can settle well on its own. Scars that are tethered, contracted or restricting movement are the exception and may need earlier attention.