A key fact that many people overlook is that scar healing isn’t a static or instantaneous process. It’s not something that happens immediately after an injury or surgery, but it’s a progressive and dynamic journey that unfolds over time. The scar’s appearance and texture may shift and transform, continuing to change for a period that typically spans 12 to 18 months following an injury or surgical intervention.
This period of transformation, known as the maturation phase, is where the scar becomes softer, paler, and flatter. In the beginning stages, a scar might appear red, raised, and somewhat hard, but these qualities usually lessen over time. This period of maturation and change isn’t just a passive waiting game, either. There are various strategies and actions that we can take to aid and expedite this process.