Facial scars
Facial scars form as skin repairs a deeper injury, operation, burn or inflammatory condition. They may be flat, raised, sunken, tight or differently coloured from nearby skin. Scar type, age and cause matter because no single treatment suits every scar.
What you may notice
- A flat line or patch with altered colour
- A raised firm scar
- A depressed or tethered area
- Itching, tenderness or tightness
- A scar that changes with facial movement
Why it can happen
Scarring is part of wound healing. Depth of injury, inflammation, infection, wound tension, genetics and skin type influence the result. Keloids grow beyond the original wound, while hypertrophic scars remain within it. Darker skin tones have a greater risk of persistent pigment change and keloid formation.
What may help
Sun protection can reduce colour contrast while a scar matures. Silicone, pressure or medical injections may help selected raised scars. Lasers, microneedling, subcision, fillers or surgical revision address different colour, texture and contour problems. Active inflammation or infection should be treated first. Complete removal is rarely possible, and procedures can create new pigment change or scarring.
When to consult
Consult a clinician if a scar is growing, painful, ulcerated, infected, restricting movement or difficult to distinguish from another skin lesion. Assessment is also useful before treatment to classify the scar and discuss realistic improvement and recurrence risk.
Evidence and sources
- National Health Service. Scars [Internet]. London: National Health Service; 2023 [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scars/ (new tab)
- DermNet. Keloid and hypertrophic scar [Internet]. Auckland: DermNet; 2022 [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/keloid-and-hypertrophic-scar (new tab)
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing [Internet]. Arlington Heights (IL): American Society of Plastic Surgeons; [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/skin-rejuvenation-and-resurfacing (new tab)