Scar treatment is the general name for procedures that aim to soften the appearance of scars left by surgery, burns, cuts, razor or glass injuries and accidents. Scars that remain after laser procedures are assessed in the same way.

When a wound heals, the body repairs the damaged area with new connective tissue. This tissue is built differently from normal skin, which is why it shows as a scar. A scar can be sunken, raised, firm, lighter or darker than the skin around it.

Scars are not only cosmetic: a visible scar can affect how comfortable you feel, and some scars around joints may cause tightness or restricted movement.

Many people search for scar removal, but it helps to know what is realistic. The aim of treatment is to support new, healthy tissue in the scarred area so that its color, texture and blend with the surrounding skin improve. A scar cannot always disappear completely, yet with the right treatment its appearance can often be softened noticeably.

Everyone heals differently. Some people heal with barely a mark, while others develop thick, raised scars.

• Hypertrophic scar: a raised, red scar that stays within the borders of the original wound.
• Keloid: a scar that grows beyond the wound borders, keeps spreading and may stay red for a long time. Keloids mature very slowly.
• Atrophic (sunken) scar: a scar that sits lower than the surrounding skin because tissue was lost.

Location matters too. The eyelids, face and mucous membranes usually heal with little scarring, while the center of the chest, shoulders, upper arms and back are areas where scars tend to heal less well.

The type of injury also matters: a clean, straight cut usually heals better than a crush or traffic accident injury.

At our clinic in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, scar treatment usually follows a two-step approach: first, new tissue formation is supported in the scarred area; then the skin is stimulated to strengthen that renewal.

• Stem cell–enriched fat: fat taken from your own body is processed and injected into the scar. Because it is your own tissue, it is compatible with the body and also helps restore lost volume.
• GRP/PRP: growth factors obtained from your own blood support tissue repair. See GRP / PRP.
• Collagen injections: these help improve scar texture by supporting collagen production. See youth and collagen injections.
• Plasma energy and fractional laser: these stimulate the skin in a controlled way to encourage new tissue. See plasma energy treatment.
• Golden needle: combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to help the skin renew. See golden needle treatment.

One or more of these methods are planned together depending on the scar type and location. For a sunken scar, restoring volume may come first; for a flat scar with a clear color difference, skin-stimulating methods may take priority. Raised scars need a different approach that is planned separately.

Treatment starts with an examination of the scar: its age, color, depth, whether it is raised or sunken, and where it sits. Your general health and any previous treatments are also discussed.

1. The methods and their order are chosen according to the scar type.
2. The area is cleansed, and local anesthetic is used if needed.
3. The renewal-supporting procedure is done first, followed by stimulating methods in the planned sessions.

If stem cell–enriched fat is part of the plan, fat is first taken from a suitable area of the body under local anesthesia with a thin cannula. After processing, it is injected into the scar. Temporary swelling and bruising may appear in both areas afterward.

Consistency matters: sessions and the intervals between them are planned carefully for each method, and procedures should be performed by a doctor.

Scar treatment follows similar principles to the treatment of post-acne marks; you can read more on our acne and acne scar treatment page.

The number of sessions depends on the scar type, size and age, and on how your skin responds. Most scars need a plan of several sessions spaced weeks or months apart.

Some methods can be combined in one session, while others need a few weeks for the skin to recover; after a fat procedure, for example, the tissue is allowed to settle before stimulating methods begin.

Building new tissue is slow, so results appear gradually, may keep improving for months after treatment and vary from person to person. Starting early generally widens the treatment options. During treatment:

• Sun protection: protect the scar from the sun, which can darken it.
• Irritation: do not scratch or rub the area in the first days after a session.
• Regular follow-up: keep to the planned sessions.