Scarring occurs when dermal tissue is damaged and repaired through collagen deposition, producing a visible mark that differs in texture, colour, and structure from surrounding skin. Types include hypertrophic scars (raised, within wound margins), keloid scars (raised, extending beyond wound margins, more common in darker skin tones), atrophic scars (depressed, as in acne scarring), and contracture scars (following burns). Factors influencing scar formation include wound depth, infection, genetic predisposition, skin type, age, and wound care quality.

What lifestyle changes can help with scarring?

Early wound care and infection prevention significantly influence scar outcomes. Consistent use of silicone-based products during the active healing phase is recommended. Sun protection of healing skin reduces hyperpigmentation. Scar massage (once wound is fully closed) may improve texture. Psychological support, including body image counselling, may be beneficial when scars significantly impact self-esteem.

What integrative approaches support scarring?

Silicone gel sheets and gels are the most evidence-based first-line intervention for scar management. Corticosteroid injections reduce hypertrophic and keloid scars. Laser therapy, microneedling, and surgical revision have evidence in specific scar types. Psychological support for scar-related distress is underutilised but increasingly recognised. Sun protection significantly reduces post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

When should I seek professional support for scarring?

Seek dermatological review for rapidly growing, painful, or significantly disfiguring scars. Keloid scars may require specialist management. Scars causing functional restriction (e.g., contracture near a joint) require physiotherapy or surgical assessment. Seek psychological support if scar-related distress is affecting daily life.

skinAlternativeComplementaryHolistic

Scarring

Permanent or long-lasting changes in skin texture and appearance that form as part of the natural healing process after injury, surgery, or inflammation.

Understand what may be causing this

Reviewed by Internal Medical Editorial Team · Integrative Health Content Review26 March 2026High Evidence

Quick answer

Scarring is the formation of fibrous tissue as part of the wound-healing process, resulting in a visible skin change at the site of injury or inflammation. ICD-10: L90.5 (scar and fibrosis of skin); ICD-11: EA90. May be hypertrophic, atrophic, or keloid depending on healing response.

Recognition

Do any of these feel familiar?

Visible permanent skin change at a prior injury site — raised, discoloured, depressed, or pulling the surrounding skin. May cause itching, tenderness, or restricted movement if over a joint.

What is Scarring?

Permanent or long-lasting changes in skin texture and appearance that form as part of the natural healing process after injury, surgery, or inflammation.

Approaches Commonly Explored

Commonly explored for conditions related to Scarring, grouped by mechanism — select your subtype above to highlight the most relevant path.

Integrates across:Alternative

How to use these approaches

🛡 Stabilise— Immediate relief

⚖️ Regulate— System balancing

🌱 Resolve— Root cause

✦ Sustain— Long-term

Most people begin with Stabilise approaches, then progress toward Resolve and Sustain.

Inflammatory Mechanism

Systemic or neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation.

Not sure what this means for you?

Ask Vidi to help you understand Scarring and find what may be most relevant for your situation.

Ready to find support for Scarring?

Connect with holistic and complementary practitioners who specialise in this area.

Find support tailored to your experience

Scarring

Do any of these feel familiar?

Approaches Commonly Explored

Paleo Diet

Organic Cosmetics

Red Light Therapy

Photobiomodulation

Organic Facials

Ready to find support for Scarring?

What You Can Do Now

This symptom is often connected to

Acne vulgaris

Ask Vidi about Scarring

About Scarring

Integrative Approaches & Evidence

When to Seek Support

Frequently Asked Questions

References