Scars take time to settle. The lumpiness, puckering and thickening in the scar take 2-3 months to diminish, whilst the redness and pigmentation can take up to 9-12 months to fade. Most scars become flat and pale after 12 months.
Immature scars, over time, will often become white and flat. White or pale scars are a good sign that the scar has fully healed. Scars that are slightly elevated are also usually red or pink in complexion. These types of scars are classified as hypertrophic scars.
The Healing Process
Scars can take up to a year to heal completely, with most of the process occurring out of sight. In most cases, the scar will turn from pink to white as the scar heals. The skin will also flatten out in the affected area.
While existing scars cannot be waved away via magic wand, you can speed up the fading process by regularly applying certain topical creams, lotions, and gels to them. Some common ingredients in these scar treatments include aloe vera, cocoa butter, Vitamin E, honey, and other hydrating materials.
Scar histology documented the level of inflammation and angiogenesis. Results: Scar redness faded at an average of 7 months.
Scar tissue is usually red at first, then pink for 3-6 months and then fades to a slightly lighter than normal skin color. Exposure to heavy sunlight may cause a scar to heal darker.
How long does it take for hyperpigmentation to fade? Once what's causing the dark spots or patches is found and stopped, fading can take time. A spot that is a few shades darker than your natural skin color will usually fade within 6 to 12 months. If the color lies deep in your skin, however, fading can take years.
Use Vaseline® Jelly for Scars
By sealing in moisture it also helps to reduce dryness of scarred skin, once your skin has healed. This may help to improve the appearance of scars, making the skin look smoother and softer, as well as help to reduce itchiness caused by dryness.
Lemon/Lime Juice: Place lemon or lime juice on the scar with a cloth. Let this sit for a few minutes on the skin before washing it off. The acidic qualities of the juice help remove dead skin cells along the scar and can lessen the redness or appearance of scars.
For about six weeks after surgery the scar becomes red, firm and hard. This is the body's way of making a very strong and solid scar. Over the next four months the scar will soften and lose the redness. This is the normal process of scarring.
When a scar first develops on lighter skin, it's usually pink or red. Over time, the pinkish color fades, and the scar becomes slightly darker or lighter than the color of the skin. In people with dark skin, scars often appear as dark spots.
Sometimes during the scarring process, the body's cellular process is changed by a chemical response called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. An excess of melanin moves to the injured area to speed up healing, and as a result, the surface skin becomes discolored, particularly around the edges of the original wound.
After injury or irritation, skin inflammation triggers an explosion of pigment production. All this color lingers in the area long after wounds heal, creating darker sections of skin and drawing unwanted attention to your scars.
Hyperpigmentation refers to dark brown spots that form on the scar due to an overproduction of the skin pigment melanin. Once formed, this brown discoloration can be permanent. If you cannot avoid sun exposure, it's important to protect your scar from the sun by using a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen.
There are a few reasons why a scar might turn dark. For example, if a scar was exposed to sunlight during the healing process, there's a good chance the scar tissue will become pigmented. Dark scars can also be caused by inflammation, poor healing, or the genetics of your skin and how your skin heals.
On its own the scar will remain purple for 6 months to one year or more. It will usually flatten down but may not do so completely.
Corticosteroid injections: This is a main treatment for hypertrophic scars. Injections are made into the scar tissue. They flatten and soften scar tissue and ease pain and itch. Several shots may be needed, each given a few weeks apart.
Topical treatments, such as vitamin E, cocoa butter cream, silicone gel,onion extract products, and several commercial skin care products like Vaseline and Aquaphor that are sold over the counter may be somewhat effective in helping to heal scars.
Aloe vera can be used to lighten acne scars
A 2018 review of studies found that a compound in aloe vera called “aloesin” may help to reduce hyperpigmentation in acne scars. Aloesin helps reduce the overproduction of melanin, a darker pigment that can make acne scars more noticeable.
Massaging your scars is important. It keeps the tissue around the incision loose so it doesn't “stick” to the tissue underneath. Wait until after your skin has healed before you start massaging your scar. Your skin will be healed when the edges of the scar are well closed with no gaps, and have no drainage.
“Usually the scars will heal rather quickly - within the course of a few weeks to one or two months - but you may not see final results for up to a year. Individual factors also influence how quickly your body is able to recover from a wound.” In older patients, or where the skin is more lax, scars settle more rapidly.
Additionally, some spots may look darker before they lighten; this is because they gradually rise to the skin's surface as you continue to exfoliate. But stick with it, and you'll eventually see brighter, firmer, more radiant skin!
Factors in time it takes for scars to fade
Many factors can slow down the healing of your scars. These include: Your age – Older skin is often more lax than younger skin, so scars often settle much quicker. Skin condition – Moisturized, well cared for skin will often heal faster and better.
In time, some collagen breaks down at the site of the wound and the blood supply reduces. The scar gradually becomes smoother and softer. Although scars are permanent, they can fade over a period of up to 2 years. It's unlikely they'll fade any more after this time.