Why do my scars turn dark?

Hyperpigmentation refers to dark brown spots that form on the scar due to an overproduction of the skin pigment melanin. Once formed, this brown discoloration can be permanent. If you cannot avoid sun exposure, it's important to protect your scar from the sun by using a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen.

What does it mean when scars turn dark?

There are a few reasons why a scar might turn dark. For example, if a scar was exposed to sunlight during the healing process, there's a good chance the scar tissue will become pigmented. Dark scars can also be caused by inflammation, poor healing, or the genetics of your skin and how your skin heals.

Is it normal for scars to be dark?

A normal scar will become darker initially and after a period of time this will start to fade. Dark scars can remain for years or indefinitely in people with darker skin.

How do you lighten dark scars?

Do dark scars go away?

Most dark spots will then fade on their own over time, but it may take a long time. Skin injury: As the wound heals, you may see a dark spot or patch. In time, the hyperpigmentation will fade if you don't re-injure your skin.

Dark Scars: How to Treat Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Why is my scar dark purple?

In the initial stages of wound healing, the wound and developing scar appear red or reddish-purple. This is because the injured area sends signals to the body to direct more blood flow to the area to help the healing process.

How long do scars take to lighten?

In time, some collagen breaks down at the site of the wound and the blood supply reduces. The scar gradually becomes smoother and softer. Although scars are permanent, they can fade over a period of up to 2 years. It's unlikely they'll fade any more after this time.

How can I make my scars whiter?

While existing scars cannot be waved away via magic wand, you can speed up the fading process by regularly applying certain topical creams, lotions, and gels to them. Some common ingredients in these scar treatments include aloe vera, cocoa butter, Vitamin E, honey, and other hydrating materials.

What are the 3 types of scars?

Why does my skin heal darker?

And as your skin heals and new skin cells form, it's possible that the cells sent to help restore your skin's smooth surface contain too much melanin. Melanin is what gives your skin its color, and when certain cells have more melanin than others, the result is a darker patch of skin.

Does skin get dark when healing?

Overview. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is darkening of the skin in an area of prior injury or skin disorder from increased pigment (melanin) left from the healing process. Sometimes the darkening may also be due to an iron pigment left behind when old red blood cells die.

Is Vaseline good for scars?

Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.

Is Bio oil good for scars?

Bio-Oil helps to improve the appearance of new or old scars; whether from surgery, accidents, burns, insect bites, scratches or conditions such as acne or chickenpox. Although younger scars will have a greater chance of improvement, studies have shown that older scars also benefit from regular use of Bio-Oil.

How do I know what kind of scar I have?

A dermatologist examines your skin to determine what type of scar you have. He or she makes note of its location and size because scars may have different characteristics depending on where they are on the body.

Is vitamin E good for scars?

Conclusions: This study shows that there is no benefit to the cosmetic outcome of scars by applying vitamin E after skin surgery and that the application of topical vitamin E may actually be detrimental to the cosmetic appearance of a scar.

How do you make a scar look worse?

Does massaging scars help them fade?

Scars continue to grow and change throughout the recovery process which may take from twelve to eighteen months. Scar massage is an effective way to decrease scar tissue build up and help make scars less noticeable. Massage will not help soften a scar more than two years old.

Can massaging a scar make it worse?

If a patient massages their scar prematurely it could cause the wound to tear or reopen, risking an infection. It's therefore important to advise them to not begin massaging until the wound is fully healed.

How long should you moisturize a scar?

Silicone gel

Massaging the wound for about 10 minutes two or three times a day, every day, for several months after surgery will help to clear the scar tissue.

Should you moisturize scars?

A scar is mature when it is paler, flatter or softer. ◗ It is recommended that you continue to moisturise your mature scar regularly.

What is better for scars Vitamin E or Bio-Oil?

The oil's vitamin A content may help exfoliate the skin and encourage new skin cells to form. This accelerates the scar healing process. Vitamin E is shown in some studies to reduce the appearance of scars. However, other studies say the opposite — that vitamin E can worsen the look of scars .

What is best treatment for scars?

If you want to try an over-the-counter product, silicone gel or silicone sheets have the best evidence they can help reduce the appearance of scars. For more serious scars like keloids, other treatments like cryotherapy, laser resurfacing, or scar removal surgery may be an option.

What are the stages of scar healing?

However, there are three distinct stages to healing and your scar will have a different appearance during each stage. The three phases to healing are the inflammatory stage, the proliferative stage and the remodelling stage.

What lotion is good for scars?

Is Vitamin E or Mederma better for scars?

Neither trial found that Mederma improved the appearance of scars more than petroleum jelly. Vitamin E oil didn't fare any better. “If it helps,” says Kenneth Arndt, a dermatologist in Newton, Mass., “it's not the E but the oil.” He notes that it often causes skin irritation.