Scars can change
Understanding your scar is where possibility begins
Understanding Scars
Scars are very individual. They can differ in how they look and feel, how the scar and surrounding tissues move and function, and in the impact they have on everyday life. Understanding these different characteristics — and which of them are causing problems for you — is an important part of deciding what may help.
Those that are underlined are the scar characteristics that I can most help with.
Scars can look…
Raised
Red
Pigmented (darker or lighter from the surrounding skin)
Irregular and lumpy
Tight +/- with scar bands and limited movement of surrounding joints or features
Scars can feel…
Raised
Lumpy and bumpy
Tight
Itchy
Painful
Numb or altered sensations
Scars can mean…
You don’t want to go out
You avoid certain situations
You are confused about what treatment is right for you
You wonder if you will ever be free of feeling conscious of your scar
Scars can behave differently…
Some settle and mature normally
Some remain active, raised or symptomatic
Some become tight or restrict movement
Some become adherent to deeper structures
Some cause problems even when they look quite good
Some problems develop beneath or around the visible scar
Understanding your scar can help you find a way forward
Knowing how scars can affect you and what influences their development can help you make sense of
what is happening and find the right support
The Impact of Scars
Scars can affect much more than appearance. They may cause pain, itching, sensitivity or tightness, restrict movement and function, or affect confidence, body image and everyday life. The impact can be very different from one person to another.
Scars also change over time, and what may help can change too. At some stages, early advice and treatment may help prevent or reduce problems developing; at others, treatment may focus on particular symptoms or difficulties.
How Specialist Assessment and Treatment Helps
There is no single treatment that is right for every scar. A thorough assessment by someone with extensive experience in scars can help identify what is happening, the problems the scar is causing and the factors that may be contributing to them. A broad knowledge of scar symptoms, treatment options and the available evidence is important in deciding what may be possible to improve and the best approach to take.
Assessment can be helpful at any stage. Ideally, advice can begin early — even while the wound is still healing — so that preventative care can support healing and scar maturation and help reduce the risk of problems developing. If you have had your scar for a long time, it is not too late for an assessment. Scars change and mature over time, and their symptoms and treatment needs often change too. Even a very longstanding scar can be assessed to understand what is causing problems and whether there are options that may help.
Treatment may aim to improve symptoms such as pain, sensitivity or tightness; improve scar pliability, movement and function; or address appearance and other concerns. Sometimes reassurance and advice are all that is needed, while more complex problems may require treatment over time or input from other specialists.
Scar care is often multidisciplinary. Depending on what you need, other specialists may also be involved, bringing together the right expertise to address the physical, functional and psychosocial aspects of your scar and help achieve the best possible outcome.
How Scars Form
Scarring is a natural and necessary part of healing. When an injury damages the deeper layers of the skin, the body repairs the area by producing scar tissue. This tissue is different from normal skin, which is why a scar can look, feel and behave differently.
Scarring can also develop in the deeper tissues beneath the skin. This may be described as fibrosis and can affect how the tissues feel, move and function, even when there is little to see on the surface.
Many factors influence how a scar develops, including the type and depth of the injury, where it is on the body, how long the wound takes to heal, individual factors and the treatment received. Scars generally improve and mature with time, and many go through this process without causing significant problems. For some people, early advice or preventative treatment may help reduce the risk of problems developing; others may experience symptoms or difficulties during healing that can benefit from treatment.
Scar tissue has done an important job in healing and protecting the body. The question is not simply whether a scar is present, but whether it is causing a problem and, if it is, what may be possible to improve.
“Even small changes can make a meaningful difference in how you feel, move, and live day to day”
Many people receive information and advice about their scars from different sources - healthcare professionals, friends and family, social media and the internet. With so many different views, treatments and products being discussed, it can be difficult to know what to trust and, importantly, what is actually relevant to your scar and your situation.
Good scar information needs to be more than accurate and evidence-based - it needs to make that knowledge understandable, practical and relevant to people with scars. I’ve contributed to the following resources, which provide trusted information about different types of scars, the problems they can cause and the treatments available.
Further Scar Information
I am a Board member of the The Scar Therapy Network which aims to improve the understanding, treatment and recovery of scars by providing clear, evidence-based information for people with scars and supporting education, collaboration and good practice among healthcare professionals. I contribute to the development of its patient information and educational resources.
You’ll also find a video from me on Scar Therapy Networkabout scars and some of the things to consider when looking for help and finding the treatment that is right for you.
My Scar Specialist has been developed by my colleagues at Oscare – Organisation for Burns, Scar Aftercare and Research – in Antwerp, Belgium. The information has been created by scar specialists working across different disciplines, together with invited experts in relevant fields, to provide reliable and accessible information about scars, scar treatment and self-care. My Scar Specialist – Patient Resources
