Hypertrophic scars do not necessarily stay forever; they often improve significantly and flatten over time, even without treatment, though some visibility may remain. The natural fading process can take anywhere from a few months to several years (up to 3 years).
Technically, no scars actually go away, they just become finer and thinner and less noticeable with time and with treatment. Hypertrophic scars are different from regular scars. Instead of being flat, they are thick and raised within the confines of the original scar.
Raised (hypertrophic): You can feel a hypertrophic scar when you run your finger over it. These raised scars may get smaller over time, but they never completely flatten out. Unlike keloids, they don't grow or spread beyond the wounded area.
Topical silicone gel (or pads) in conjunction with an interim or custom compression garment can be used to improve hypertrophic scars and keloid development. Advise patients and caregivers that sunblock/sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater with UVA/UVB coverage should be used on all scars.
Although scary sounding, hypertrophic scars are forms of irritation which often develop as a result of friction around or in a piercing. They are small, raised, flesh-colored bumps that develop immediately around the site of the entry and/or exit points of a new piercing. Sometimes, clear fluid drains from the site.
No, they're not dangerous or life-threatening. They're mainly a cosmetic (physical appearance) issue. However, hypertrophic scars can cause pain or itching. Also, if they form over a joint, they can limit your movement so you may want to have them treated.
To treat a hypertrophic scar, you must remove the piercing. Most providers advise permanently removing the piercing. A provider will give you one or two Kenalog (steroid) injections to reduce the inflammation and swelling and return the skin to normal.
Unlike keloids, hypertrophic scars can improve on their own over time. Many will naturally flatten and fade over one to two years as the body remodels the scar tissue. However, this natural improvement is not guaranteed and is often incomplete.
The treatment for keloid and hypertrophic scars involves a course of steroid injections to help soften and flatten as well as relieve the symptoms of pain or itching. The application of silicone in sheet or gel form may also be advised, to help reduce the size or restrict the growth of the keloid or hypertrophic scar.
Local injection of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) following facial trauma and surgery is effective for treating and preventing hypertrophic scars (HS), according to results of a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Scars can change over time. In many cases, they may flatten or fade, but it is rare for them to entirely disappear. This is because the skin is permanently altered by injuries that cause scarring. Scar treatment is a safe and effective way to reduce the appearance of scarring.
Ice Pick Scars: Deep, narrow, pitted scars—usually the most difficult to treat. Boxcar Scars: Round or oval depressions with sharp edges that appear shallow. Rolling Scars: Wavy depressions that create an uneven skin surface. Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars: Raised scars from excessive collagen production during healing.
Scars are usually permanent because scar tissue is different from surrounding tissues. There are many different types of scars, and each one may heal in a different way from other scars. However, if scars are bothering you, you can minimize their appearance with the right treatment.
Bio-Oil focuses on deep hydration and moisturization, making it ideal for scar management. associated with post-surgical scars, as well as common scars like hypertrophic or keloid.
The longer it takes for a wound to heal, the higher the chances of developing hypertrophic scars. Usually, wounds that take more than 14 days to heal are likely to become hypertrophic scars, and wounds that take more than 21 days to heal have an even higher chance of developing into hypertrophic scars.
Hypertrophic scars are thick, red to brown in coloration, and may be itchy or painful. They do not extend beyond the boundary of the original wound but may continue to rise or thicken for up to six months. Hypertrophic scars usually heal and fade over one to two years.
In general, keeping a hypertrophic or keloid scar moist will help to alleviate symptoms. Any topical moisturizer (Eucerin®, aloe vera, Vaseline®, mineral oil, etc.) applied several times each day is recommended.
Hypertrophic scars can be firm or soft to the touch, and also bumpy or smooth. They can occur anywhere on the body, but they are most common on the chest, shoulders, back, and earlobes. Hypertrophic scars can be itchy or painful, but unlike the keloids, this is not always the case.
The "2:3 piercing rule" is a curated ear guideline suggesting that for every two piercings, you should have three units of space between them, aiming for a balanced look, often by placing two piercings on the lobe and three on the upper cartilage, or by using larger jewelry at the bottom (lobes) and smaller pieces (studs/huggies) as you go up the ear for a cascading, uncluttered aesthetic. It's a styling tip, not a strict rule, for creating harmonious ear stacks.
If a hypertrophic scar or keloid develops after surgery, dermatologists recommend getting steroid injections every four to six weeks, limiting the total number of injections to five. The procedure takes about 15 minutes, and often no anesthesia is required.
In-vitro studies have demonstrated that retinoids can modulate collagen production and the proliferation of normal and keloidal fibroblasts. In-vivo application of topical retinoic acid 0.05% can lead to reduction of hypertrophic scars in 50-100% of patients and reduction of keloids in fewer than 20% of patients.
While hypertrophic scars and keloids both result from excessive collagen production, they behave quite differently. A hypertrophic scar remains within the original wound boundaries and often improves spontaneously over 1–2 years, though it rarely returns to completely normal skin.
A hypertrophic scar may develop as part of the skin's response to injury and is a reddish, itchy, firm, normally raised, thicker-than-usual form of scar that's similar in color and texture to normal skin. They do not get bigger over time and may get better in 12-24 months without treatment.
Raised and Firm: Hypertrophic scars are raised, but they usually stay within the boundaries of the original wound. Red, Dark or Light: These scars can appear reddish, pink, or darker than the surrounding skin.