Scarring

Scarring is the skin’s natural response to injury — the body’s way of repairing damaged tissue as quickly as possible. The result is functional but rarely cosmetically satisfying. Scar tissue differs from normal skin in its structure, texture, colour and behaviour, and depending on the type and severity of the scar, it can be a source of significant self-consciousness for patients who have lived with it for years.

Scars develop from a wide range of causes — acne, surgery, injury, burns, chickenpox and other skin conditions. The way a scar forms and how it appears depends on the depth and extent of the original wound, the location on the body, the patient’s skin type and genetics, and how well the wound was managed during healing.

Atrophic scars — indentations in the skin caused by a loss of tissue — are the most common type we treat. They include the icepick, boxcar and rolling scars associated with acne scarring, as well as the indented scars left by chickenpox and other inflammatory conditions. Hypertrophic scars are raised, firm scars that develop when the body produces too much collagen during healing — they remain within the boundary of the original wound. Keloid scars extend beyond the original wound boundary and require careful assessment before treatment. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — flat discolouration remaining after skin trauma — is technically not a scar but is frequently grouped with scarring by patients, and responds well to treatment.

Scar treatment is one of the areas where realistic expectations matter most. Significant improvement is achievable for most patients — scars can be made less visible, less textured and less discoloured — but complete elimination is rarely possible, and we will always be honest about what can be achieved for a specific scar. The type, age, depth and location of the scar all influence what is possible.

Microneedling is one of the most effective treatments for atrophic scarring — stimulating collagen production and progressively remodelling the scar tissue over a course of treatments. Tixel® delivers thermal energy into the skin to trigger deep collagen renewal and surface remodelling, producing meaningful improvement in textural scarring. ResurFX™ fractional laser resurfacing addresses surface texture and scar depth with minimal downtime. Chemical peels improve post-inflammatory pigmentation and surface scarring, and complement deeper treatments well. Skin boosters support skin quality and hydration around the scar, improving the overall appearance of the surrounding skin. Professional skincare — particularly retinol, vitamin C and niacinamide — supports skin renewal and helps fade post-inflammatory pigmentation between clinical treatments.

Treatments that may help: Microneedling, Tixel®, ResurFX™, Chemical Peels, Skin Boosters, IPL Skin Treatments, Professional Skincare.

Book a consultation with our clinical team, or explore our full range of treatments.