Why Some Scars Keep Growing Instead of Fading

Scars are just part of how our bodies heal. Most of the time, they fade and become less obvious as time passes. But every now and then, you get a scar that just doesn’t want to settle down.

Some scars keep growing and thickening because the body churns out too much collagen while healing. Doctors call these stubborn scars hypertrophic scars or keloids. They’re raised, sometimes reddish, and can stretch out past where the original wound was. Not only can they be uncomfortable, but they also tend to stick around a lot longer than you’d expect.

Whether a scar fades or grows depends on a bunch of things—your genes, where the wound is, and even your skin type. Folks with darker skin tones are more likely to get keloids. And if you’re younger, especially a teenager, you might notice your scars act up more than they do for older adults.

Understanding Why Some Scars Keep Growing Instead of Fading

Scars can surprise you. Some seem to disappear right on schedule, while others just keep changing and growing even after you thought everything was healed up.

Types of Persistent or Enlarging Scars

Keloid scars don’t know when to stop—they keep growing past the original wound. They’re thick, raised, and usually reddish, sometimes feeling kind of rubbery if you press on them. And honestly, they can just keep expanding for years.

Hypertrophic scars are a little more contained. They stay inside the boundaries of the wound but still get raised and thick. The good news? They might settle down on their own, given enough time. Still, they can be red, itchy, or even a bit sore.

Contracture scars show up after burns. They tighten as they heal, which can really mess with movement, especially if they’re near joints or stretch over big areas. Sometimes, they even involve muscles and nerves underneath.

Atrophic scars are kind of the opposite—they dip below the skin. Think acne scars or stretch marks. They happen when your body loses fat or collagen during healing, leaving a little dent behind.

Biological Factors Influencing Scar Growth

The healing process is all about balance, especially with collagen. When your body goes overboard making collagen, scars get bigger and more obvious. This usually ties back to issues during the inflammation part of healing—sometimes things just don’t go as planned.

Age matters, too. Younger skin heals faster but can get a little wild, making more aggressive scars. Puberty throws hormones into the mix, and that can make scars even more unpredictable.

Where you get hurt also plays a role. Scars on spots that move a lot, like your shoulders or chest, are more likely to act up. Even the direction of a cut compared to the natural lines of your skin can change how a scar looks in the long run.

If an area doesn’t get enough blood flow, healing can suffer. That can lead to scars that just don’t look or feel right.

Medical Guide to Keloid Removal Procedures in Singapore

Clinics that provide keloid removal treatments in Singapore often use a comprehensive approach, combining both surgical and non-surgical options tailored to each patient. One common method is pressure therapy with specialised garments, which can be effective but requires consistent use over several months.

Cryotherapy, where the keloid is frozen, is usually paired with steroid injections for better results, while laser therapy helps reduce both redness and size by targeting blood vessels. For more resistant cases, some doctors may recommend radiation therapy after surgery to lower the chances of recurrence by slowing collagen production.

Genetic Predispositions and Scar Formation

Family history is a big clue. If your parents struggled with keloids or hypertrophic scars, there’s a good chance you might too. This genetic link seems even stronger for people with darker skin.

Some backgrounds just see more keloids. People of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent run into these scars more often than those with European roots.

Scientists have found certain genes that seem to control how our bodies manage collagen during healing. They’re still figuring out all the details, but it’s clear genetics matter.

How stretchy or tough your skin is also comes down to genetics. Those traits affect how your skin bounces back after injury and whether it can heal up without leaving behind a big, stubborn scar.

Common Triggers That Cause Scars to Worsen

Sun exposure can darken and thicken developing scars. UV rays push your skin to make more melanin and can kickstart extra collagen in healing tissue. If you’ve got a new scar, try to keep it out of the sun as much as possible—even a quick walk can make a difference.

When a healing wound gets stretched or pulled, scars often end up wider and more obvious. That’s probably why cuts or incisions that run against the skin’s natural tension lines tend to stand out more. It’s frustrating, but our bodies don’t always heal in the neatest way.

Infections while a wound is healing can really mess things up. Bacteria drag out inflammation and disrupt the normal healing rhythm, sometimes leading your body to pile on too much collagen. This is one of those things that can sneak up on you if you’re not careful.

Some medications mess with how scars form. Steroids might thin your skin and slow things down, while certain antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs can change how your cells repair themselves. It’s not always possible to avoid these, but it’s good to be aware.

When a healing spot keeps getting bumped or scratched, it can set off inflammation all over again. Even something as minor as clothing rubbing or a little itch can convince your body to lay down more collagen in a spot that was already trying to heal. Sometimes it feels like your skin just can’t catch a break, right?