How Do Wound Scars Form?
When skin heals after a cut, burn, injury or surgery, it repairs the damaged area with new collagen. Because this repair tissue has a different structure from the surrounding normal skin, it shows up as a scar. The appearance of a scar depends on the depth of the wound, its location, tension on the wound, whether infection developed and the person’s genetic predisposition.
Wound scars are generally divided into sunken (atrophic) scars, raised (hypertrophic) scars and keloid scars, which grow beyond the borders of the wound. New scars mature over time; this process can take a year or longer, and the choice of treatment also depends on the age of the scar.
New scars are usually red or pink, raised and sometimes itchy. As they mature, the color fades and the scar softens and flattens. Early, aggressive procedures that ignore this natural process may not provide the expected benefit.
Who Is It Suitable For?
- People left with a scar after a cut, a fall or an accident
- People bothered by the look of a surgical or cesarean scar
- People with raised, red or itchy scars
- People prone to keloids who want to limit the growth of a scar
- People with sunken scars and an uneven surface
Scars in visible areas such as the face, hands and neck, as well as cesarean and other surgical scars, can be evaluated. For people who are planning a new surgery and have a history of keloids, measures to take in the early period after surgery can be discussed in advance.
Which Methods Are Used?
- Silicone gel or sheets: They are recommended as a first step, especially for new and raised scars.
- Intralesional injections: For raised and keloid scars, a corticosteroid injection may be given to help flatten the scar.
- Microneedling and gold needle: They support tissue quality in sunken and uneven scars.
- Laser treatments: They may be used as a complement for the color and surface texture of the scar.
- Subcision and PRP: They may be considered for sunken scars that are attached to the tissue beneath.
Depending on the scar type, one or several of these methods may be used together. For example, a raised scar may first be flattened with injections and silicone, and complementary procedures for color and texture can then be planned.
What to Keep in Mind Afterward
- The scar area should be protected from the sun; sun exposure can cause the scar to darken.
- Recommended silicone products should be used regularly and for long enough.
- For a few days after the procedure, the area should not be rubbed and hot environments should be avoided.
- If a scab forms, it should not be picked off.
- Follow-up appointments should be attended regularly.
Possible Side Effects and Who Should Not Have It
Depending on the procedure, redness, swelling, bruising and sensitivity may occur. After intralesional corticosteroid injections, thinning, sinking or lightening of the skin in the area may develop; for this reason, doses and intervals are planned carefully.
Some procedures are not performed, or are postponed, in the presence of active infection or an open wound, during pregnancy and breastfeeding and with uncontrolled chronic illness. In people prone to keloids, methods that could cause a new injury are chosen with particular care.
Dr. Fulya Koç’s Approach
In scar treatment, Dr. Fulya Koç considers the type and age of the scar decisive, and she emphasizes the value of simple protective measures started early on new scars. A measured plan is followed that aims not for scars to disappear completely but to make them less noticeable.
The psychological impact of a scar on the person is also taken seriously; expectations are discussed openly, and what change is realistic is clarified together before treatment begins.
Fulya Koç
Frequently asked questions
Once the wound has fully closed, measures such as silicone gel and sun protection can be started early. The timing of procedures such as microneedling and laser is determined by the physician according to the condition of the scar.
Keloid scars can be made smaller and softer with injections, silicone and some complementary methods, but they have a high tendency to come back. For this reason, treatment requires long-term follow-up.
Yes, procedures that aim to reduce the appearance of matured old scars can also be performed. The response varies from person to person depending on the scar type and depth.
The information on this page is general. Whether the treatment suits you, its possible risks and the results you can expect are assessed individually at your consultation. Results vary from person to person. Image is illustrative.
