It's one of the most common questions after surgery, injury, or burns: why does my scar look more noticeable now than it did a few weeks ago?
The short answer is yes — scars often appear more prominent before they improve. Understanding why this happens, and what to look for, can help place these changes in context.
The short answer is yes — scars often appear more prominent before they improve. Understanding why this happens, and what to look for, can help place these changes in context.
Why Scars Change During the Healing Process
Scar formation is not a single event — it is a biological process that unfolds over months and, in some cases, years. After the wound closes, the body continues working beneath the surface. Fibroblasts produce new collagen, blood vessels form to support the healing tissue, and the immune system remains active within the tissue. This ongoing biological activity is what makes early scars look and feel the way they do — red, raised, firm, and sometimes uncomfortable.
This is generally a normal part of healing and reflects the tissue responding to injury.
This is generally a normal part of healing and reflects the tissue responding to injury.
The Normal Evolution of a Scar and When Changes Are Expected
In the weeks immediately following wound closure, many scars become more visible rather than less. Increased vascularity contributes to redness, while collagen deposition can lead to slight thickening or firmness. The scar may feel temporarily a bit tighter, itchy, or sensitive during this phase..
Over time, as the scar moves through the remodelling phase, these features tend to gradually settle. Collagen fibres reorganise, vascularity decreases, and the scar may soften, flatten, and fade. Many scars undergo maturation between six and twenty-four months, although it varies depending on location, depth of injury, individual healing responses, and the mechanical forces acting on the tissue.
A more prominent appearance in the early weeks/months is therefore common and does not necessarily indicate a problem.The trajectory of a scar is not uniform and can vary significantly between individuals — and even between different areas in the same person.
Over time, as the scar moves through the remodelling phase, these features tend to gradually settle. Collagen fibres reorganise, vascularity decreases, and the scar may soften, flatten, and fade. Many scars undergo maturation between six and twenty-four months, although it varies depending on location, depth of injury, individual healing responses, and the mechanical forces acting on the tissue.
A more prominent appearance in the early weeks/months is therefore common and does not necessarily indicate a problem.The trajectory of a scar is not uniform and can vary significantly between individuals — and even between different areas in the same person.
Signs a Scar May Be Developing Abnormally
Not all scar changes fall within the range of normal maturation. Some scars develop characteristics that suggest a more prolonged or dysregulated healing response.
Hypertrophic scars remain within the boundary of the original wound but become persistently raised, red, firm, and sometimes painful or itchy. Rather than gradually settling, they can reflect prolonged or dysregulated collagen deposition within the tissue.
Keloids extend beyond the original wound margins to surrounding tissue. They may continue to grow over time and are often associated with itch and discomfort. They are unlikely to regress without treatment and are more common in areas of higher skin tension and in individuals with a personal or family history of keloid formation.
Scar contractures develop when scar tissue tightens and shortens during healing, creating tension across the surrounding skin. This is more likely in areas exposed to movement, or across joints, and may lead to restriction of movement in some cases.
Hypertrophic scars remain within the boundary of the original wound but become persistently raised, red, firm, and sometimes painful or itchy. Rather than gradually settling, they can reflect prolonged or dysregulated collagen deposition within the tissue.
Keloids extend beyond the original wound margins to surrounding tissue. They may continue to grow over time and are often associated with itch and discomfort. They are unlikely to regress without treatment and are more common in areas of higher skin tension and in individuals with a personal or family history of keloid formation.
Scar contractures develop when scar tissue tightens and shortens during healing, creating tension across the surrounding skin. This is more likely in areas exposed to movement, or across joints, and may lead to restriction of movement in some cases.
When to Seek Clinical Advice
Understanding when to seek assessment is as important as knowing what to look for. A scar that continues to thicken, redden, become more raised, or extend beyond its original boundaries over time may warrant clinical assessment. The same applies if symptoms such as pain, itch, or tightness persist or worsen, or if movement near the scar becomes restricted.
For individuals with a personal or family history of keloid scarring, earlier assessment is particularly important. The most effective window to influence a scar prone to abnormal formation is during the active healing phase, before dysregulation becomes established. In higher-risk individuals, early assessment may be helpful.
It is also important to recognise that scars do not have a fixed window for treatment. Even scars that are months or years old may still be amenable to intervention. Clinical options may be available that improve symptoms or appearance, depending on the characteristics of the scar and individual factors.
If you are unsure whether a scar is following a typical course of healing, a clinical consultation can help clarify what is expected. Early assessment can help clarify options and allows for a management plan to be put in place at the most responsive phase of healing.
If you have concerns about how your scar is developing, our team is available to assist. You can contact the clinic to arrange a consultation if appropriate.
Treatment outcomes vary based on scar characteristics, timing of intervention, and individual healing responses. Clinical assessment is necessary to determine appropriate management strategies for individual circumstances.
For individuals with a personal or family history of keloid scarring, earlier assessment is particularly important. The most effective window to influence a scar prone to abnormal formation is during the active healing phase, before dysregulation becomes established. In higher-risk individuals, early assessment may be helpful.
It is also important to recognise that scars do not have a fixed window for treatment. Even scars that are months or years old may still be amenable to intervention. Clinical options may be available that improve symptoms or appearance, depending on the characteristics of the scar and individual factors.
If you are unsure whether a scar is following a typical course of healing, a clinical consultation can help clarify what is expected. Early assessment can help clarify options and allows for a management plan to be put in place at the most responsive phase of healing.
If you have concerns about how your scar is developing, our team is available to assist. You can contact the clinic to arrange a consultation if appropriate.
Treatment outcomes vary based on scar characteristics, timing of intervention, and individual healing responses. Clinical assessment is necessary to determine appropriate management strategies for individual circumstances.