Hypertrophic scar

A hyper­tro­phic scar is rai­sed and red but stays within the area of the ori­gi­nal wound. This is what distin­gu­is­hes it from a kel­oid, which grows bey­ond the wound margin.

Appli­ca­ti­on

It forms pre­fe­ren­ti­al­ly at sites under ten­si­on, such as over joints, and after delay­ed wound heal­ing or inflamm­a­ti­on. It is most acti­ve in the first months after the injury.

Good to know

Unli­ke a kel­oid, a hyper­tro­phic scar fre­quent­ly regres­ses on its own over one to two years. Sili­co­ne dres­sings, pres­su­re and con­sis­tent sun pro­tec­tion sup­port this cour­se. Tre­at­ment is most effec­ti­ve while the scar is still red.

Matching tre­at­ment at Swiss Der­ma Cli­nic: Scar tre­at­ment