Scar Treatment Options For Flat, Raised And Sunken Scars

Choosing a scar treatment is much easier once you know what kind of scar you are dealing with. A thin pale line from an old cut behaves very differently from a thick raised scar on the chest or a small dip left behind by a spot, and the options that help one may do little for another.

This article walks through the main types of scar, the treatments the NHS and the British Association of Dermatologists describe, and where professional skin treatments can play a part. It also covers the signs that mean a scar should be checked by a GP.

Why Scars Form And How They Change

A scar is part of the skin’s natural healing process after a wound, burn, spot or surgery. The body repairs the damage as quickly as it can, and the new tissue rarely looks exactly like the skin around it.

The NHS guidance on scars is direct about this. You cannot get rid of a scar completely, but most will fade over time. That fading can take up to two years, and sometimes longer, so a scar that looks red and obvious a few months after an injury may look very different later on.

This matters when you are weighing up treatment. Some scars improve a great deal on their own, and giving them time is part of the plan.

The Main Types Of Scar

Fine-Line Scars

These are the flat, narrow scars left by minor cuts or surgery. They can be slightly raised at first but usually flatten and fade without any treatment.

Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic scars are raised and firm, but they stay within the boundary of the original wound. According to the NHS, they gradually fade over time.

Keloid Scars

A keloid is a raised, hard, smooth scar that grows beyond the edges of the original injury. The British Association of Dermatologists explains that keloids can develop after very minor skin damage and are more common in people of African, Asian or Hispanic descent. The upper chest, shoulders, chin, neck, lower legs and earlobes are among the areas most at risk. Unlike most scars, keloids usually need treatment to improve.

Sunken Or Pitted Scars

Also called atrophic scars, these sit below the surrounding skin as dips or small holes. They often follow acne or chickenpox.

Contracture Scars

These tight scars usually follow burns and can pull the skin enough to make movement difficult.

Scar Treatment Options The NHS Describes

The NHS lists several approaches, and a GP or specialist can advise which suits your scar.

• Silicone gels or dressings, which are applied to the scar over a period of time.
• Steroid injections or creams, often used for raised scars.
• Cryotherapy, which freezes the scar tissue.
• Laser therapy, which can target colour or texture.
• Skin camouflage, special creams and powders that cover the scar rather than change it.

Treating Keloids In Particular

For keloids, the British Association of Dermatologists’ keloid leaflet describes steroid injections as the most common scar treatment, usually repeated monthly for several months. Silicone products can be bought from a pharmacist without a prescription and may reduce thickness over months. Pressure devices sometimes help, particularly on the earlobe, and laser can help when combined with steroid injections.

The same leaflet is frank about the limits. Up to half of keloids grow back after treatment, and cutting a keloid out is rarely a success because it creates a larger wound. If you know you are prone to keloids, it also advises avoiding skin trauma such as tattoos and piercings where possible.

Where Professional Skincare Fits Into Scar Treatment

Many people with older, settled scars are more interested in how their skin looks overall than in a medical procedure. This is where a skilled therapist can help, as long as expectations are realistic.

Salon skin treatments work on the surface of the skin. Professional exfoliation and peels can leave skin feeling smoother and brighter, which can make marks look less obvious alongside good skincare. Salons such as Beauty by Ruth in Maghull offer a range of non-invasive skin treatments, including skin peels, and a consultation is the place to talk through what is and isn’t suitable for your skin.

A few sensible rules apply wherever you go.

• Tell the therapist about any scar that is raised, itchy, growing or recent.
• Mention any history of keloids before any treatment that could irritate the skin.
• Follow the aftercare you are given, and ask about a patch test for new products.
• Treat a salon visit as a way to improve how the skin looks, not as a cure for the scar itself.

Protecting Scars And Knowing When To Get Advice

Sun protection is one of the simplest things you can do. The NHS advises keeping a scar covered in the sun for at least a year, using clothing or a dressing, and applying sunscreen of at least SPF 30.

See a GP if a scar is painful or worrying you. Ask for an urgent appointment if a scar becomes swollen, feels warm or has discharge coming from it, as these can be signs of a problem that needs checking. A GP is also the right starting point if you want a referral for skin camouflage or advice on medical scar treatment.

Scar Questions People Often Ask

Can A Scar Be Removed Completely?

No. The NHS is clear that scars cannot be removed completely, although most fade over time and treatment can improve how some of them look.

How Long Should I Wait Before Trying Treatment?

Many scars keep fading for up to two years. Your GP can advise on timing, particularly for raised scars, which are often treated sooner.

Can I Buy Silicone Scar Products Myself?

Yes. The British Association of Dermatologists notes that silicone products are safe and can be bought from a pharmacist without a prescription.

Will A Facial Get Rid Of My Scar?

No salon treatment removes a scar. Facials and peels work on the skin’s surface and can help your complexion look fresher, which some people find makes marks less noticeable.

Finding The Right Approach For You

The best starting point is to identify your scar type, give it time to settle, protect it from the sun and speak to a GP if anything about it worries you. From there, medical options and gentle professional skincare can work side by side.

For more beauty, home and lifestyle reading, take a look around Beyond The Garden Gates.

Kaan Rassad

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