What is the most common scar?

The most common type of scar is a normal, fine-line scar (also called a mature scar or flat scar) that forms from minor cuts or surgery, gradually flattening and fading over time. However, stretch marks (striae), caused by rapid skin stretching, are incredibly common and often considered scars, especially during pregnancy or growth spurts. While keloids and hypertrophic scars are well-known, they are less common than these everyday, flat scars and stretch marks.

What are the most common scars?

Common Scar Types

• Contracture. A contracture scar typically happens after a burn. ...
• Depressed (atrophic) Depressed, or atrophic scars, are often a result of chickenpox or acne. ...
• Flat. A flat scar will start off raised and then will gradually flatten with time. ...
• Keloids. ...
• Raised (hypertrophic) ...
• Stretch marks.

What body parts scar the easiest?

The parts of the body that scar the easiest are areas with high tension, movement, or taut skin, like the chest, shoulders, upper back, and joints (knees, elbows), because constant stretching disrupts healing and causes thicker scars (hypertrophic/keloid). Conversely, areas with less tension and good blood supply, such as the inside of the mouth or abdomen, tend to heal with flatter, less noticeable scars.
 

Can a 20 year old scar be removed?

There's no specific age for scar removal, but your doctor might suggest waiting until a scar finishes healing before treating it. This can take months or even years. Can laser therapy remove old scars? Older scars are harder to treat, but laser therapy may make them less noticeable.

What are the three types of scars?

The three main categories of abnormal scars are Keloid, Hypertrophic, and Contracture scars, though dermatologists also often group Atrophic (indented) scars with these as key types, with Keloids growing larger than the wound, Hypertrophic scars staying within boundaries but raised, and Contractures pulling skin tight, impacting movement, while Atrophic scars are sunken.
 

KELO-COTE® UK: What are the most common questions you're asked about scars?

What cuts scar the most?

Some areas of the body are more prone to severe scars. These areas include the ears, the top of the shoulder and the area in front of the breastbone (sternum).

Why do scars itch?

Scars itch because of nerve regeneration, the release of histamines, dry skin, and the mechanical tension from new tissue pulling on skin, all part of the natural healing process as your body repairs itself and rebuilds skin layers. While itching often signals healing, it can also stem from immune responses, inflammation, or even psychological factors like stress, with factors like weather, clothing, or hormonal changes affecting older scars too. 

What kind of scars never fade?

Much like a hypertrophic scar, keloid scars present red bumps but may grow beyond the original wound and never go away. Keloid scars are more common in individuals with darker skin types. Although they form after injuries, they may appear spontaneously.

Can vaseline remove scars?

No, Vaseline (petroleum jelly) can't completely remove scars, but it's excellent for moisturizing and protecting healing skin, which helps minimize their appearance, reduce redness, and prevent dryness and itching, making scars smoother and less noticeable over time. It works by locking in moisture to create a good healing environment, but for significant scar reduction, especially on older scars, silicone gels and professional treatments are often more effective as they actively manage collagen production.
 

Is scar removal expensive?

Consider Price Ranges: The average cost of laser scar removal typically ranges from $200 to $3,400 per session. Multiple sessions may be needed for optimal results.

What not to put on scars?

Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, which can be harmful to healing wounds. The presence of debris, bacteria or other impurities in open skin can trigger infection and extend the inflammation period. Fisher says prolonged inflammation enhances scar formation.

Why is my scar so shiny?

Scars appear shiny because they are made of densely packed collagen fibers that form a different texture than normal skin, lack pores and hair follicles, and often have a rich supply of blood vessels (angiogenesis) during healing, creating a smooth, sometimes reddish, and lustrous surface that lacks the natural structure of surrounding skin. This shiny look is especially prominent in fresh scars, hypertrophic, and keloid scars due to excessive collagen and new blood vessel formation.
 

Which type of scar is permanent?

Keloid. Keloid scars are a more serious form of excessive scarring, because they can grow indefinitely into large, tumorous (although benign) neoplasms.

What part of your body is most likely to scar?

Areas of the body that have increased susceptibility to keloid and hypertrophic scar formation include the earlobe, the sternum, the deltoid region of the upper arm, and the upper back. It is thought that these areas are associated with keloid formation due to the higher levels of muscle and skin tension.

What scars last the longest?

Keloid Scars

In fact, long after the wound has healed, this type of scar continues to form more tissue, causing a growth above the skin. Some keloids continue to grow months or years after the original injury heals.

What color are scars?

Scars change color as they heal, typically starting red or pink due to increased blood flow, then maturing to lighter or darker than your natural skin, or even appearing white, brown, purple, or skin-toned, depending on injury, skin type, and melanin, with final colors ranging from pale to hyperpigmented.
 

What helps scars heal faster?

To help scars heal faster and look better, keep wounds clean and moist with petroleum jelly, use silicone sheets/gels, gently massage the area once healed, protect from sun exposure (SPF 30+), and consider treatments like laser therapy or steroid injections for stubborn scars, while keeping the skin hydrated with creams or natural oils.
 

Why does my scar hurt when I touch it?

Your scar likely hurts when touched due to nerve damage/sensitivity, inflammation, or tight scar tissue (adhesions) restricting movement and compressing nerves, causing hypersensitivity where light touch feels painful. This is common as healing involves damaged nerves firing abnormally and excess fibrous tissue forming. Starting gentle, deep pressure massage and stretching can help retrain nerves and loosen the tissue, reducing sensitivity over time, but physical therapy offers specialized treatment for persistent pain. 

Why is my old scar turning red?

An old scar turning red usually means increased blood flow, indicating it's still maturing or experiencing inflammation, but it could signal infection, irritation (like sun exposure), or even a more serious issue like sarcoidosis or skin cancer recurrence (especially if it's a new bump/sore). Common reasons are normal healing (hyper-vascularity), sun sensitivity (PIH), friction/pressure, or conditions like hypertrophic scars, but persistent or worsening redness needs a doctor's check-up for signs of infection or malignancy.
 

What are the hardest scars to treat?

Keloid scars

Keloids might also turn darker than your usual skin color when exposed to the sun, experts say. Keloids are also the hardest type of scars to treat.

At what age do scars stop fading?

Most scars take up to 2 years to fully mature, though you'll notice the most dramatic improvements during the first 6 months. During this time, your scar will typically flatten, fade from red to white or a lighter tone, and become less noticeable overall.

What makes scars not heal?

Scars don't fully "heal" or disappear because they're made of disorganized collagen, creating a different, less flexible tissue than normal skin, which prioritizes fast repair over perfect regeneration, unlike fetal healing. While scars fade and remodel over time, the underlying fibrous tissue remains, lacking hair follicles, sweat glands, and the structured organization of healthy skin, meaning they never fully revert to original skin.
 

Can scar tissue turn cancerous?

Yes, scar tissue, especially from severe burns or chronic wounds (like ulcers, fistulae, or radiation injury), can rarely develop into cancer, most commonly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or basal cell carcinoma (BCC). This process, called malignant degeneration, involves chronic inflammation and impaired healing leading to cell changes, often appearing years after the initial injury, so any suspicious changes in a scar warrant a doctor's evaluation and biopsy.
 

Should you moisturize a scar?

Yes, you should moisturize scars, especially after the wound has fully closed and scabbed over, as keeping the area hydrated helps soften and flatten the scar, reduces itchiness, promotes faster healing, and improves overall appearance by preventing dryness and cracking. Use a non-perfumed cream or silicone gel and gently massage it in for several minutes, a couple of times a day, to break up tissue and improve blood flow, making scars less noticeable over time.