A 39-year-old member asked:
how long do raised scars take to flatten and fade?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Marguerite Barnettanswered
Plastic Surgery 42 years experience
It depends: In general, the worse the injury, the worse the scar and the longer it takes to fade. That is why wounds must be treated gently and encouraged to heal quickly. Older people will find that their scars fade faster than younger people (it's one advantage to age); darker-skinned people tend to take longer than fairer people. Keep all scars out of sunlight until they fade as uv worsens outcomes.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A 41-year-old member asked:
How can I reduce the appearance of scars?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Morris Westfriedanswered
Dermatology 46 years experience
Mederma: Me derma or bio oil can reduce the appearance of scars.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Are chemical peels really effective in treating scars?
4 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Robert Alexanderanswered
Plastic Surgery 27 years experience
Some help: Chemical peels do effectively "resurface" the skin from dead cells on the surface, and make it look more plump and smoother. In deep acne scars it is little help, as the chemicals follow the surface contours rather than plane them done like sanding (mechanical dermabrasion). Usually minor surface tightening can occur, which does mildly help the appearance of acne scars.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
What can be used to make scars prettier?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Hashim Alanianswered
Specializes in Plastic Surgery
Pretty scars?: There are scar gels and tapes applied to the scar to make it softer and less visible.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
What makes the prettiest scars-- stitches, glue or staples?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Robert Waldanswered
Plastic Surgery 43 years experience
Glue or steristrips: The key to making the most invisible scars is lack of tension on the incision. This is accomplished by placing multiple deep sutures. The closure of the skin is best done with glue or steristrips. This will eliminate any scarring from sutures or staples.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Is there any remedy to lighten the scars?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Barry Handleranswered
Plastic Surgery 32 years experience
Scar Remedies: Depends on the age of the scar, ethnicity and what color the scar is. In general most scars will lighten on their own6-18 months after healing begins. Red scar lightening can be accelerated using certain lasers of steroid shots. Brown scars are more common in people of color. One can try hydro quinine but it works slowly and there is a good chance the scar will lighten with time anyway.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Nov 16, 2013
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