What is Abnormal Scarring?

Scar formation is a natural part of the wound healing process. However, when the healing response becomes dysregulated, it can result in abnormal scarring.

It is normal for scars to take up to 12-18 months to fully mature and settle. A mature scar tends to be flat, soft, non-tender, non-itchy, pale and within the confines of the original injury to the skin.

In abnormal scarring, however, we begin to witness an disruption or an abnormality in these normal end-points of scar healing.

Abnormal scars can:

• Become raised or thickened (hypertrophic)

• Grow beyond the original wound area (keloid)

• Appear indented or pitted (atrophic, ice-pick, or boxcar scars)

• Cause burning, itching, tightness, or hypersensitivity

• Restrict movement in areas like joints

Our treatments target these various scar types to support smoother, more comfortable skin and improved texture and tone.

Treatments for Generalised Acne Scarring

If you have widespread acne scarring, especially pitted or uneven skin texture, we offer collagen-stimulating and skin-resurfacing options to restore smoother skin:

Microneedling & PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

• Boosts natural collagen production

• Improves skin texture and surface irregularities

• Minimal downtime, suitable for all skin types

Morpheus8 Radiofrequency Microneedling

A powerful combination of microneedling and radiofrequency energy, Morpheus8 targets deeper skin layers to:

• Resurface and remodel scarred skin

• Stimulate collagen and elastin production

• Improve overall tone, texture, and firmness

This is a popular option for patients seeking a stronger solution for acne scarring with visible, progressive results.

Microneedling and Radiofrequency Microneedling can be combined with Exosome treatments for even more potent effects.

Click here if you would like to find out more about each of these treatments in detail: Microneedling; Exosomes; PRP; Morpheus 8

Treatments for Hypertrophic or Keloid Scars

Steroid Injections

Thickened, raised, or symptomatic scars, which can result from surgery, injury, or piercings, can be addressed effectively with targeted steroid injection therapy.

For thick or symptomatic hypertrophic or keloid scars, administration of steroid injections directly into the scar can have a very powerful anti-inflammatory effect which can help to:

• Help to flatten and soften the tissue

• Alleviate itching, discomfort, and tightness

• Reduce redness and inflammation

A course of 3–4 sessions, spaced 4–6 weeks apart, is usually recommended for best results. We also advise the concurrent use of silicone sheets, scar massage, or other supportive aftercare techniques to enhance healing and reduce recurrence.

The procedure takes just a few minutes, with no downtime. You may experience mild tenderness or itchiness for a few hours post-treatment.

Although the scar will never fully disappear, a course of steroid injections can significantly improve its appearance.

Surgical Scar Excision with Post-Operative Steroid Injections

In select cases, we may consider surgical excision of a keloid scars followed by a course of steroid injections post-operatively to reduce the risk of regrowth.

This approach involves surgically removing the raised scar tissue, then administering intralesional steroids at regular intervals during the healing phase to suppress the inflammatory response and help prevent recurrence.

However, it is important to understand that this treatment carries a very high risk of recurrence, and in some cases, the new scar may regrow larger than the original.

For this reason, surgical removal is not considered a first-line treatment for keloid scars, and we only recommend it when:

• The scar is significantly symptomatic or restrictive

• Other treatments have been unsuccessful

• The keloid is in a location where surgical outcomes may be more predictable

If you're a suitable candidate, we’ll discuss the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes in detail during your consultation, ensuring you’re fully informed before proceeding

Click Here to find out more about the management of Keloid and Hypertrophic scars.

Treatments for Atrophic Scars (Dipped Scars)

For dipped or tethered scars, often seen after acne or trauma, our goal is to lift and level the scar with the surrounding skin:

Dermal Fillers for Scar Correction

• A small amount of hyaluronic acid filler is injected beneath the scar to lift the depression

• Especially effective for individual, well-defined atrophic scars

Subcision

• A fine needle is used to release the scar’s tethering to deeper tissue

• Stimulates collagen regeneration and allows the skin to rise

These options are best suited for isolated areas of atrophy. For more generalised atrophic scarring, microneedling and/or PRP or Morpheus 8 Radiofrequency Microneedling would be best suited to address this.

Regenerative Scar Treatments: Polynucleotides

Polynucleotide-based injectables are emerging as a regenerative option for scarring. These naturally derived molecules help to:

• Improve blood flow and skin oxygenation

• Support tissue regeneration

• Enhance scar texture and colour over time

This gentle yet effective treatment is suitable as a complement to other scar therapies or as a standalone option in selected cases.

Lumecca IPL for Redness in Scars

If your scar appears persistently red or inflamed, beyond the early stages of healing, then Lumecca IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) can help. Lumecca targets vascular pigmentation, helping to:

• Reduce redness and visible blood vessels in the scar

• Improve overall skin tone and clarity

• Support a more balanced, less inflamed appearance

This non-invasive light-based treatment is particularly useful for patients with red, raised, or newly formed scars, helping them fade faster and blend more smoothly with surrounding skin.

The Perfect Peel for Acne Scarring

The Perfect Peel is a medium-depth chemical peel that offers a powerful resurfacing effect for those struggling with acne scarring and uneven skin texture. It works by:

• Exfoliating dead skin cells to reveal smoother, healthier skin beneath

• Stimulating collagen production to help improve the appearance of shallow atrophic (indented) scars

• Lightening post-acne pigmentation and uneven tone

This treatment is ideal for patients seeking brighter, smoother skin and a visible improvement in acne-scarred or blemish-prone complexions with minimal downtime.

Your Scar Treatment Plan

Every scar is different, therefore is every treatment plan should be too! At your consultation, Dr. Jenny will assess your scar type, skin condition, and goals to recommend the best approach for:

• Reducing visible scarring

• Minimising discomfort

• Improving overall skin quality

All treatments are delivered in our London medical clinic using safe, evidence-based techniques.