Scar treatment

Scars can be caused for numerous reasons and they range in severity. We offer scar treatment for children and adults at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialist Care for people who may be unhappy with the appearance of their scars and wish to minimise them. 

Our dedicated team of consultant surgeons are among the best in the UK and have a wealth of experience in scar revision and minimisation treatment. We understand how scars can impact your self-esteem and will ensure you receive the high level of care you deserve.  

What is a scar? 

A scar is a mark left behind from a wound or injury after healing. Scarring is made up of scar tissue and is your body’s natural way of healing. Some scars fade over time, while others may not change much in appearance, no matter how long it’s been. 

Scars can differ in appearance. They can be flat, sunken, coloured or white, and may look slightly different on different skin tones. Your scar’s location, your age and overall health can also affect how it looks.  

Scars can sometimes feel itchy or rise in response to the chemical histamine. Your immune system releases histamine when your body mistakes something harmless like dust or pet dander as an allergen.   

Types of scarring 

There are many different types of scars and some people may be more susceptible to certain types than others. 

Fine-line scars 

Fine-line scars are common and can start raised but flatten over time. They can happen after an injury or surgery and typically look like light lines on the skin. They will start red or pink and fade as they heal.  

Atrophic scars 

Atrophic scars are usually deep in the skin and resemble a small hole or large pore. Atrophic scars can look indented as the healing occurs below the skin. This type of scar rarely disappears entirely on its own. Atrophic scars develop if the skin cannot create enough collagen during healing, leading to a slight tissue loss. 

Keloid scars 

Keloid scars are thick and raised clusters of scar tissue that are often red or darker in colour. They also grow outside the wound’s borders, making the scar more prominent than the original damage. Keloids usually develop on areas such as your chest, back and shoulders, and can take up to one year after the initial injury to grow.  

Keloids tend to be more common if you’re: 

• of South Asian, Chinese, African Caribbean or Black African descent
• pregnant  
• aged between 10 and 30 years old. 

However, anyone can develop a keloid scar. Keloids can be more challenging to treat as there is always a risk of them worsening and becoming more prominent, but the correct treatment can sometimes improve their appearance.  

Hypertrophic scars 

Hypertrophic scars only grow within the original wound’s border, but they can also be thick and raised. Hypertrophic scars develop within a few weeks of injury.  

Contracture scars 

Contracture scars often feel tight and can cause pain when you move. These are often a result of a burn and may look red or shiny until they heal. 

Causes of scarring 

Many different factors can cause scars. Some of the most common causes of scarring include:  

• acne  
• injury  
• burns  
• surgery  

Some scars cannot be avoided, such as surgical scars. But others can be accidental, like injury or burns. Something as simple as a fall or an unintentional cut could lead to scarring. The cause of your scar can sometimes determine the type of scar that develops. For example, acne can lead to atrophic scarring, and burns can cause contracture scars. 

Scar treatment 

Scars can be revised and minimised in multiple ways, however it may not. The most appropriate treatment for you will depend on your scar’s severity and type.   

At Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialist Care, we can treat multiple types of scars in adults and children. 

Adult scar treatment 

Treatment for keloid scars involves a multidisciplinary approach. First, we use steroid injections to reduce the keloid’s appearance. However, some keloids do not react to steroid injections so, in these cases, the next step is surgical treatment.  

Keloid treatment is performed as a day case procedure and under local anaesthetic. Once the surgeon has removed the keloid, they will inject the area with steroids to prevent it from returning, thereby minimising its appearance. 

For other types of scars, we use steroid injections as well as silicone therapy and scar revision in surgery. Silicone therapy is where a sheet of soft, flexible silicone is placed onto your scar to reduce its appearance over time.  

We also use pulse dye laser (PDL) or CO2 fractionated laser resurfacing to reduce the appearance of red or thick scars (particularly hypertrophic scars). These lasers can be used on both the body and face, so we can treat scars located anywhere on your body.     

Scar treatment in children 

We can perform scar treatments on children and, if needed, we may provide further anaesthetics such as creams or Entonox (gas and air) to ensure your child is comfortable throughout the procedure.  

We offer laser treatment to children to reduce redness and improve the texture of their scars. The laser stimulates collagen production and is therefore particularly effective for hypertrophic and post-surgical scars. 

Steroid injections and topical creams are another option which are beneficial for raised, thickened scars. The steroids help to flatten and soften the scar by reducing inflammation and excess collagen production. 

Our specialists can also offer silicone gel to create a protective barrier over the scar, which ensures that it remains hydrated and therefore reduces redness, itching and thickening. Silicone gel is a great treatment option for fresh and healing scars. 

A final treatment option involves the use of compression garments to control the scar growth and gradually improve its appearance over time. Compression garments are typically used for burns and large scars and are custom-fitted to increase their effectiveness. 

We will keep you and your child fully informed on their treatment and let you both know what to expect. Our state-of-the-art equipment means your child will receive the highest level of care in our dedicated paediatric facilities. 

Book an appointment with Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialist Care 

Scar treatment can be an effective way to significantly reduce or eliminate the appearance of scars. We use the latest medical advancements to provide you or your child with the best results. 

If you or your child are unhappy with a scar, book an appointment with Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialists Care. Our team of expert plastic surgeons and dermatology consultants have a wealth of experience and extensive expertise in scar treatment to minimise the appearance of scars.