Scar Removal Treatment

Scar treatment is a specialised service provided by Dr. Evelyn Tay, offering tailored care for different scar types, including acne scars, surgical scars, injury scars, hypertrophic scars, and keloids. With more than 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Tay assesses the colour, texture, thickness, symptoms, and age of each scar before recommending treatment. The goal is to improve the scar’s appearance, reduce symptoms such as itch, tenderness, or tightness, and choose the least invasive option that suits the scar.

What are scars?

Scars occur naturally as part of your body's natural healing process following skin trauma. When your skin experiences cuts or injuries, it regenerates tissue to close the wound, forming scar tissue primarily composed of collagen.

Scars vary in size and shape and result from accidents, burns, surgeries, acne, or illnesses. While skin scars often fade with time, their visibility can differ, impacting appearance and even movement, especially with larger scars.

When we assess scars, we generally look at two categories in Singapore: discolouration and texture.

In terms of discolouration, scars can take on the following scar appearance types:

Hyperpigmented Scars

• Scars are darker than the surrounding skin.
• Shade of the pigmented scars varies from brown, black or grey-blue.

Hypopigmented Scars

• Scars that are lighter than the surrounding skin.

Red Scars

• Scars appear red due to increased blood flow in the area.
• Common in newly formed scars.

In terms of texture, a scar can be:

Atrophic Scars

• Form due to a loss of underlying structure and insufficient collagen production during pitted scars healing
• Dipped appearance in the skin.

Hypertrophic Scars

• Form due to excessive production of collagen during healing.
• Raised but stay within the boundary of the wound.

Keloid Scars

• Form due to excessive collagen production.
• Raised and tend to grow beyond the boundaries of the wound.

What causes scars?

When the skin experiences an injury, it produces collagen to form new tissue, pulling together the wound and closing the gap. However, when too much collagen is produced, hypertrophic scars are formed. An atrophic scar is formed if fat or structural tissue is lost during the injury and insufficient collagen is produced during healing.

Scar formation can occur following accidents, burns, surgical procedures, acne, and illnesses. The size and appearance of scars vary, ranging from large and painful to barely noticeable. Factors such as skin type and genetic predisposition can influence the type of scar that develops.

It is important to note that not all wounds result in noticeable scars, and many scars fade over time. Not all scars require intervention, but if a scar is causing discomfort or is cosmetically concerning, seek appropriate scar removal treatment to make it less obvious.

What are the common symptoms of scars?

Symptoms of scars include:

• Changes in skin texture or colour
• Raised or depressed areas on the skin
• Itching or discomfort in the scarred skin area
• Potential impact on movement or flexibility depending on the scar’s location

Are scars painful?

Generally, scars are not inherently painful, but some individuals may experience mild discomfort, itching, or tenderness in the scarred area, especially during healing. Pain associated with scars often varies based on factors such as the size, type, and location of the scar. While some scars may cause minimal or no pain, others can lead to sensations of tightness or itching.

Monitoring any unusual or persistent pain or itch in scars is important as it could indicate complications or the formation of keloid scars. Seek medical advice to help address discomfort and ensure proper care for the affected area.

Who is at risk of scars?

Scars form due to skin injury; however, it is important to remember that not all injuries result in scar formation. Several factors increase an individual’s risk of developing scars; these are :

• Genetics: keloidal tendencies can run in families, and it is important to be aware of them.
• Age: younger individuals tend to mount a stronger inflammatory response to wounds and are more likely to develop hypertrophic scars due to excessive collagen production.
• Prolonged skin inflammation: inflammation can increase the chances of scarring, especially discolouration of the scar. For example, an infected post-surgical wound tends to leave more significant surgical scars. Acne that has been manipulated by picking tends to leave more of a visible acne scars.

How are scars diagnosed?

While you may notice a scar once the skin has healed, a proper diagnosis is useful when the scar becomes raised, depressed, itchy, painful, unusually discoloured, or slow to settle. Your dermatologist will examine the scar’s size, colour, texture, thickness, mobility, maturity, and symptoms, then relate these findings to its likely cause, such as acne, surgery, trauma, or burns. This matters because a flat red scar, a tethered atrophic scar, and a firm keloid do not respond to the same treatment.

How do dermatologists choose a scar treatment plan?

A dermatologist assesses more than appearance alone. The review usually includes the scar’s colour, firmness, thickness, texture, location, and how long it has been healing. Symptoms also matter. A scar that itches, feels tight, or limits movement may need a different plan from a scar that is mainly a cosmetic concern.

In many cases, the best approach is combined treatment. For example, a red raised scar may respond best to laser treatment plus injections, while a depressed acne scar may need subcision, TCA CROSS, collagen-remodelling treatment, or more than one method over time.

When should a scar be treated?

Treatment timing depends on how mature the scar is and whether it is causing symptoms. Newly healed scars often continue changing for months. Early management may focus on scar support and prevention, while older or established scars may need procedures to improve colour, thickness, or texture.

• Seek early assessment if a scar becomes raised, itchy, painful, very red, or starts extending beyond the original wound.
• Scars that affect movement or feel tight across a joint may need earlier medical review.
• Not every new scar needs an immediate procedure. Some scars continue to soften and settle as they mature, so timing should be individualised.

Can new or mild scars improve with non-surgical care?

Not every scar needs a device-based procedure. For some new or mild scars, first-line care can support healing and reduce the chance of a scar becoming more noticeable.

• Silicone gels or silicone sheets may help flatten and soften selected raised scars.
• Sun protection can reduce the risk of long-lasting darkening or uneven pigmentation.
• Good wound care after the skin has closed can support more orderly healing.
• Pressure-based care may be considered in selected raised-scar cases after specialist review.

These measures do not erase a scar, but they may improve comfort and appearance and can also be used alongside procedural treatment where appropriate.

How are treatments chosen for different scar types?

Scar treatment works best when it is matched to the scar type rather than chosen as a one-size-fits-all option. The examples below show how treatment planning commonly differs.

Red Scars

• Pulsed dye laser may help reduce redness and target excess blood vessels within a healing scar.
• Early monitoring is useful because some newer red scars continue to settle with time.

Pigmented Scars

• Picosecond laser may help address darker post-inflammatory pigmentation in selected scars.
• Non-ablative fractional laser may be considered for some pigmentary changes, including selected lighter scars.

Atrophic Scars

• Fractional carbon dioxide laser, subcision, TCA CROSS, polynucleotide injections, and Poly L lactic acid may be considered for depressed or pitted scars, depending on depth and pattern.
• Combination treatment is often useful because some atrophic scars are both tethered and texturally irregular.

Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars

• Intralesional steroid injections can help reduce thickness, itch, and discomfort.
• Pulsed dye laser and selected adjunctive treatments may be used to address redness and overall scar behaviour.
• Long-term follow-up matters because raised scars, especially keloids, can recur.

What scar treatment options are available?

The approach to scars is multi-fold. At Lumine Dermatology & Laser Clinic, we assess the scar carefully before deciding on the best approach. Treatment selection depends on the scar type, symptoms, body location, and how mature the scar is. The most appropriate option may involve one treatment or a combination plan.

• Picosecond laser scar treatment: the Picosure Pro laser helps to target pigmentary issues, lightening dark scars and reducing superficial scars appearance.
• Pulsed dye laser treatment: the Vbeam laser targets redness and hypertrophy, lightening and flattening raised scars.
• Non-ablative fractional laser therapy: the MOXI laser targets hypopigmentation or pigmentary alterations of scars.
• Fractional carbon dioxide laser: Deka Smartxide laser aids scar remodelling and reduces texture; it is also a method for laser-assisted drug delivery.
• Polynucleotide injections: polynucleotide injections help scar remodelling.
• Microtoxin injection: helps with scar texture and prevention in keloid-prone individuals.
• Poly L lactic acid application or injections: this dermal fillers scar treatment works for atrophic scars by encouraging collagen production.
• Intralesional injections or laser-assisted steroid injections: effective for hypertrophic scars, corticosteroid injections used to reduce their appearance and encourage scar healing.
• Subcision and TCA CROSS: these techniques may be recommended for selected depressed acne scars. Subcision helps release tethered scars, while TCA CROSS is commonly used for deep ice-pick type scars. Best results are often achieved by combining procedures when a scar has more than one feature.

When is scar revision surgery considered?

Most scars are managed without surgery. Scar revision surgery may be considered when a scar is very wide, severely raised, tethered, or restricts movement. It may also enter the discussion when a scar has not improved enough with conservative treatment or when recurrent keloids need broader planning.

Surgery is usually part of a wider treatment plan, not a stand-alone guarantee. Some scars still need injections, silicone-based care, or laser treatment after revision to improve the final result and reduce recurrence risk.

What results are realistic?

Scar treatment can often make a scar flatter, softer, lighter, less red, and less noticeable. It can also reduce symptoms such as itch, tenderness, or tightness. However, no treatment can return scarred skin to untouched skin in every case.

Raised scars and keloids may recur, and deeper atrophic scars often improve gradually over several sessions. The final response depends on the scar type, body location, skin healing pattern, and how early the scar is assessed.

Scar Removal Treatments Pricing

At Lumine Dermatology, we offer a range of targeted treatments designed to improve the appearance of scars, from post‑acne marks to deeper textural scars. Pricing is transparent and tailored to the specific modality and area treated. All treatments below are indicative starting prices — your personalised quote will be provided after consultation with our dermatology expert.

Frequently asked questions

Can scars be treated permanently?

In most cases, you cannot get rid of a scar. However, with the right scar removal treatments or proper care during the healing process, your scar may fade with time.

Why is my scar still red after six months?

While most scars fade, some do not. Scars may take up to 18 months to fade; however, if you notice that your scar has become significantly discoloured and raised or dipped instead of flat, make an appointment for a scar revision - consultation with us to help speed up your recovery process.

Can lasers treat scars?

Laser treatment may not eliminate scars completely, but it can significantly reduce their appearance. These procedures stimulate the growth of new, healthy skin and break up existing abnormal scar tissue, helping you blend the scar better with the surrounding skin. This therapy is suitable for various scars, including surgical, acne scars, and injury scars. However, look for an experienced practitioner with an array of tools to help you target the proper treatment for the right scar.

Can a keloid come back after treatment?

Yes, keloids can recur because the skin keeps producing excess scar tissue. This is why treatment often combines more than one approach, such as injections, laser treatment, silicone-based support, or longer-term follow-up.

Do all scars need laser treatment?

No. Some scars respond best to observation, silicone-based care, steroid injections, subcision, or TCA CROSS. The right option depends on the scar’s colour, thickness, texture, symptoms, and location.