Wound Healing and Scar Formation

1. When we get wounds that go deep into our skin, they heal by forming scars. Everyone’s skin heals differently, and it’s hard to predict exactly how your scar will turn out. Scars on the face usually heal the best, while those on the back, chest, abdomen, or upper arms and legs might not heal as well because they stretch more over time.

2. At first, scar tissue is usually red, then it turns pink for about 3-6 months before fading to a slightly lighter color than your normal skin. Being out in the sun a lot can sometimes make a scar darker. It’s a good idea to avoid the sun and use sunscreen on your scar for about six months after surgery.

3. Sometimes, scars can make the area around them feel numb. Most of the time, this numb feeling goes away within 6-12 months, but for some people, it might last longer.

4. Scars keep changing and getting better for up to 6 months. So, it’s best not to decide how your scar looks until at least 6 months have passed.

5. Keloids are thick, firm scars that can feel uncomfortable. Some people are more likely to get keloids, especially those with darker skin. Thick, raised scars are also more common in certain places like the middle of the chest, earlobes, around the jawline, and on the upper arms and torso.

6. Sometimes, scars can get infected, form blood clots (hematoma), or open up after stitches are removed. This can lead to bigger scars. Following your doctor’s advice about what you can and can’t do, taking good care of your wound, and telling your doctor right away if you think your wound might be infected can help stop these things from happening. Even with good care and surgery, scars might still not turn out how you want them to.

7. We always hope scars heal up looking as good as possible. If your scar doesn’t look the way you want it to, there are things we can do to help. This might include getting injections of cortisone, using laser treatment, or having surgery again. If you’re not happy with how your scar has healed, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about what you can do.