Medical Dermatology

Scar Treatment in Singapore

Dr. Liew Hui Min

accredited consultant dermatologist

Scars form when your body repairs damaged skin tissue after injury, surgery, or trauma. These permanent marks vary in appearance, size, and texture, potentially affecting both physical comfort and confidence. While scarring is a natural healing response, some scars become raised, discoloured, or uncomfortable, impacting daily activities and quality of life.

Symptoms Causes Types Diagnosis Treatment Prevention FAQ

Symptoms of Scars

Scar symptoms vary depending on the scar type and its stage of healing. Common signs include:

Raised or thickened tissue: Firm scars that protrude above skin level, sometimes restricting movement if over joints.
Discolouration: Scars that appear red, darker, or lighter than the surrounding skin. Pigment changes may fade gradually.
Itching or burning: Uncomfortable sensations, especially common during the early months of healing.
Tightness: Skin pulling around the scar that limits flexibility or causes discomfort.
Tenderness: Heightened sensitivity to touch, pressure, or clothing friction.
Irregular texture: Smooth, rough, or uneven patches that contrast with normal skin.

Causes and Risk Factors of Scars

Scars form when the skin’s deeper layers are injured. Factors that influence scar formation include:

Surgical procedures

Medical operations requiring incisions that heal and form permanent scar tissue. The size, location, and healing conditions significantly influence the final appearance.
Traumatic injuries

Cuts, burns, or other injuries damaging skin deeply enough to affect the dermis layer. The severity and healing time determine the scar type that forms.
Acne and skin conditions

Severe acne, chickenpox, or inflammatory skin conditions causing deep tissue damage. These often leave multiple small scars affecting large skin areas.
Genetic factors

A family history of keloids or hypertrophic scars increases the risk of raised scars.
Age and skin type

Younger individuals and certain skin types may develop raised or discoloured scars more easily.
Poor wound healing

Complications like infection, excessive wound movement, or inadequate care during healing. These factors can lead to larger, more noticeable scars.
Body location

Scars on high-movement areas like joints, shoulders, or the chest are often more noticeable.

Types of Scars

Identifying your scar type is key to choosing the most effective treatment:

Hypertrophic scars

Thickened scars that remain within the wound boundary. Often flatten with time or treatment.

Keloid scars

Overgrown scar tissue that extends beyond the original injury. These may continue growing and recur after removal.

Atrophic scars

Depressed or sunken scars, typically caused by acne or chickenpox.

Contracture scars

Tight, restricting scars that limit movement—often seen after burns.

Stretch marks

Linear scars due to rapid skin stretching from weight changes, growth, or pregnancy.

Surgical scars

Typically linear and uniform; appearance depends on closure technique and healing.

Diagnostic Methods

A comprehensive scar assessment guides personalised treatment:

Visual examination: Detailed assessment of scar appearance, including size, colour, texture, and elevation compared to surrounding skin. This helps classify the scar type and determine its maturity stage.

Physical assessment: Examination of scar tissue to evaluate thickness, firmness, and mobility compared to normal skin. This provides information about scar structure and potential treatment responses.

Photography documentation: Clinical photographs recording current scar appearance and tracking changes over time or following treatment. These serve as objective records for treatment planning and outcome measurement.

Skin assessment tools: Specialised instruments measuring scar characteristics such as colour, elasticity, and surface texture. These provide quantitative data guiding treatment decisions and monitoring improvement.

Medical history review: Comprehensive discussion of how the scar formed, previous treatments attempted, and any symptoms or functional limitations. This information helps predict treatment outcomes and identify potential complications.

Functional assessment: Evaluation of how the scar affects movement, sensation, or daily activities, particularly for contracture scars. This determines whether treatment should focus on functional improvement or cosmetic enhancement.

Treatment Options for Scars

Non-Surgical Treatments

Many scars respond well to non-invasive methods:

Silicone gel or sheets: Help flatten raised scars and reduce redness.

Topical treatments: Prescription creams (e.g. corticosteroids or retinoids) to improve texture and pigmentation.

Corticosteroid injections: Reduce inflammation and scar tissue growth in hypertrophic or keloid scars.

Laser therapy: Targets redness, thickness, or uneven texture using fractional or vascular lasers.

Pressure therapy: Compression garments used to prevent or reduce raised scars.

Surgical Treatments

When non-surgical methods are insufficient, procedural options include:

Scar revision surgery: Re-excision and improved closure for less visible scars.

Keloid excision: Surgical removal combined with adjuvant therapy to reduce recurrence.

Skin grafting: Transplants healthy skin to cover large or function-limiting scars.

Flap surgery: Repositions healthy tissue to restore form and function.

Scar release: Frees tight scar bands to restore movement, especially in contracture scars.

Some of the above surgical options will be referred to the Plastic Surgery Department.

Prevention and Management

Preventing problematic scars begins with proper wound care during the healing process. Keeping wounds clean, protected, and moisturised can help minimise inflammation and support optimal tissue repair. Sun protection is also essential, as UV exposure can darken scars and make them more noticeable. Once the skin has healed, applying silicone gels, barrier creams, or other dermatologist-recommended topical agents can reduce the likelihood of raised or discoloured scars.

It’s important to avoid picking at scabs or scratching healing skin, as this can worsen scarring. If you have a history of prominent or abnormal scars, a dermatologist can provide early intervention, personalised treatment plans, and preventive strategies to improve healing outcomes and reduce long-term scar visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for scars to fully mature?

Most scars continue changing and improving for 12 to 18 months after injury, with the most significant changes occurring during the first six months. During this maturation period, scars typically become softer, flatter, and lighter in colour as your body remodels the scar tissue.

Can old scars be treated effectively?

Yes, even mature scars that are several years old can often be improved with appropriate treatment, though results may be more gradual than treating newer scars. The choice of treatment depends on the scar type, location, and individual healing characteristics rather than age alone.

Are some people more prone to developing prominent scars?

Genetic factors, skin type, and individual healing characteristics significantly influence scar formation, with some people naturally developing more noticeable scars than others. Factors such as age, skin colour, hormonal status, and certain medical conditions can also affect healing outcomes.

Will scar treatments completely eliminate my scars?

While treatments can significantly improve scar appearance, texture, and symptoms, complete elimination is rarely possible as scars represent permanent changes in skin structure. The goal of treatment is to make scars less noticeable and improve any associated symptoms or functional limitations.

How soon after injury can scar treatment begin?

Some preventive treatments like silicone therapy can begin once wounds are fully healed and closed, typically within 2-3 weeks of injury. More intensive treatments are usually delayed until the scar has matured for at least 3-6 months to allow natural healing processes to complete.

Dr Liew Hui Min

Dually Accredited Dermatologist In Singapore and the UK

Dr. Liew Hui Min is an accredited consultant dermatologist from the Ministry of Health and the General Medical Council UK.

Her clinical interest includes:

Paediatric Dermatology,
Women’s Dermatology,
General Adult Dermatology.

Having trained in major London Hospitals, Dr Liew returned to Singapore in 2014 as a Consultant at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) where she specialised in paediatric, women, obstetric and vulva dermatology. Currently, Dr Liew practices at The Skin Drs. clinic located at Gleneagles Hospital.

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