Why is my scar turning black?

An excess of melanin moves to the injured area to speed up healing, and as a result, the surface skin becomes discolored, particularly around the edges of the original wound. Discoloration can occur in many different forms and levels of intensity, and colors can include shades of brown, gray, black, or red.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thedermatologyclinic.com


Is it normal for a scar to be dark?

When a scar first develops on lighter skin, it's usually pink or red. Over time, the pinkish color fades, and the scar becomes slightly darker or lighter than the color of the skin. In people with dark skin, scars often appear as dark spots. Sometimes scars itch, and they may be painful or tender.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org


How do you treat black scars?

How to Get Rid of Dark Scars
  1. Sunscreen and Moisturizers. Although you can't go back in time to prevent your scars, a combination of topical creams, peels and sunscreens can help them fade more quickly. ...
  2. Medicated Creams. ...
  3. Chemical Peels. ...
  4. Laser Therapy.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dermstore.com


Do black 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aad.org


Why is my skin healing black?

BLACK: Black (or gray) in wounds is never a good sign. Often, it is associated with necrotic or dead tissue. Once tissue is dead, it cannot be revived and must be removed from a wound for healing to occur.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thesalsal.org


Why Does Dark Skin Scar Differently To Light Skin?



How long does a dark scar last?

It can take up to 12-18 months after your injury or operation for a scar to heal. 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aftertrauma.org


How do you get rid of black scars naturally?

Read more to know a few remedies to get rid of dark spots / Dark Spots and to make your skin smooth and soft.
  1. Drink Plenty Of Water. Drinking plenty of water can do wonders to your skin. ...
  2. Lemon Juice And Yogurt Face Mask. We all know that lemons have a number of benefits. ...
  3. Buttermilk. ...
  4. Aloe Vera. ...
  5. Tomatoes. ...
  6. Papaya. ...
  7. Honey.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on manipalhospitals.com


Can massaging a scar make it worse?

You should massage your scars as instructed for at least six months following your surgery or injury. Massaging for more than six months will not hurt your scars and may actually prove beneficial.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on moffitt.org


How do you correct a dark scar color?

You want to select a color corrector that's the opposite hue of what you're trying to cover. To cancel out redness—scars, blemishes, broken capillaries—use a green-based color corrector. Yellow-based products neutralize purple and blue hues, like spider veins, under eye circles, and bruises.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thehealthy.com


What does scar color mean?

Immature scars, over time, will often become white and flat. White or pale scars are a good sign that the scar has fully healed. Scars that are slightly elevated are also usually red or pink in complexion. These types of scars are classified as hypertrophic scars.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on biodermis.com


Does vitamin E help with 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov


How do you make dark scars lighter?

How to Make Scars Less Visible
  1. Medicated Creams or Gels. 1/12. Over-the-counter skin medications such as creams or gels can help. ...
  2. Silicone Gel. 2/12. ...
  3. Zinc Supplements. 3/12. ...
  4. Scar Massage. 4/12. ...
  5. Injections. 5/12. ...
  6. Chemical Peel or Dermabrasion. 6/12. ...
  7. Laser Therapy. 7/12. ...
  8. Microneedling. 8/12.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


What does it mean when a wound turns black?

Dry gangrene occurs when the blood supply to tissue is cut off. The area becomes dry, shrinks, and turns black. Wet gangrene occurs if bacteria invade this tissue. This makes the area swell, drain fluid, and smell bad.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hopkinsmedicine.org


When should I be concerned about a scar?

When should I seek medical advice? If your scar is excessively swollen, red or painful or there is a discharge or odour. If your scar becomes red or itchy. If you are concerned about your scar and its changed appearance.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hey.nhs.uk


What do darker scars mean?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on vibrantdermatology.com


Should you moisturise a scar?

To help your scar mature it is recommended that you massage and moisturise your scar.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on rch.org.au


Does Mederma work on old scars?

Mederma products can be used on new and old scars resulting from surgery, burns, acne and other injuries. For old scars you should apply Mederma one time daily, every day, for 3 to 6 months.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mederma.com


What should a scar look like when healing?

You're in the home stretch: Your wound has filled in and a new surface has formed. This final period can last from 6 months to 2 years. You'll see some changes in your scar. It will go from looking thick, red, and raised to thinner, flatter, and more like your usual skin color.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on markhenley.co.uk


Do scars get darker before they get lighter?

Additionally, some spots may look darker before they lighten; this is because they gradually rise to the skin's surface as you continue to exfoliate. But stick with it, and you'll eventually see brighter, firmer, more radiant skin!
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dermalogica.com


Does necrosis turn skin black?

Necrotic tissue will eventually become black, hard, and leathery. When large areas of tissue become necrotic, this is known as gangrene. Gangrene is death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a serious bacterial infection that requires urgent care.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on r3healing.com


What infection turns skin black?

Symptoms of Necrotizing Skin Infections

The fluid from these blisters is brown, watery, and sometimes foul smelling. Areas of dead skin turn black (gangrene.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merckmanuals.com


How long does it take for a scar to turn white?

Scars take time to settle. The lumpiness, puckering and thickening in the scar take 2-3 months to diminish, whilst the redness and pigmentation can take up to 9-12 months to fade. Most scars become flat and pale after 12 months.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on drlilyvrtik.com.au