What type of Scar Do I Have?
Scars come in many different forms. Some heal flat and fade over time, while others may stay raised, tight, sensitive, or uncomfortable.
Many scars share similar features, and it’s common for a scar to show characteristics of more than one type, within the same scar. This means parts of your scar maybe red and raised, while other parts are flat and pinned in. There is nothing wrong with this. Your body is doing the best it can to heal well.
Understanding what type of scar you have can help you choose the most appropriate treatment.
The guide below shows some of the most common scar types to help you understand your next step and what possible treatment options may help.
1A
Match your Skin Tone to the Colour Chart
We want everyone visiting this website to see scaring in skin like their own; to feel represented. For this reason, we have adopted the Ho & Robinson Color Bar.
In scar photographs, participants have matched the skin on the inside of their upper arm to one of the colour bars in the figure below using a number and letter, for example 3D. You can do the same and determine the colour bar closest to your skin colour. When looking at scar images on this website, you’ll know if the scar is in skin like yours.
Common Types of Scars
Hypertrophic Scar
Keloid Scar
Keloids are a type of raised scar that grow beyond the original borders of the original incision on the skin.
Click the button below to find out more about them.
Atrophic Scar
Atrophic (tethered) Scar
1B
Atrophic (tethered) Scar
1B
Atrophic (indented) Scar
1A
Atrophic scars can be flat or sunken in the skin. They may appear tethered, where the scar is attached to the tissues underneath and does not move freely, or indented, where there has been a loss of tissue beneath the skin. As they mature, atrophic scars can often be pale and smooth.
Click the button below to find out more about them.
Normotrophic (Normal) Scar
Contracture / Burns Scar
What caused my scar?
Click on the button below, which best represents your scarring
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Scars Change as They Heal
Scars can look and feel different at different stages of healing.
In the early months after surgery or injury, scars are often:
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Red or pink.
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Slightly raised.
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Sensitive or itchy.
Over time, they usually soften and fade. However, some scars remain tight, raised, or uncomfortable, which is where specialist scar therapy may help.
When Should You Seek Scar Advice?
You may benefit from specialist scar advice or treatment if your scar:
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Feels tight or restricts movement.
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Is painful, itchy or sensitive.
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Remains raised or thick.
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Feels stuck to deeper tissue.
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Affects your comfort or confidence.
Even older scars can often respond to scar therapy.
Dr. RuthAnn Fanstone talks about scars and finding the treatment that's right for you.