Understanding Scar Discoloration

Scars are more than a reminder of an injury — they can affect your self-esteem and body image. Some scars may become darker or change color, making them stand out. Discoloration can occur because of healing processes, skin type, and environmental influences. Luckily, many treatments exist to treat pigmented scars. 

Dr. Nathan Brought knows scars inside out. He and the staff at Southern Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Institute use advanced techniques to treat scars.   

What Are Discolored Scars?

Discolored scars change color or darken outside of the normal skin healing process. Scarring is part of your body’s natural wound-healing process. After injury, the skin fills the wound with new collagen-based tissue to repair it. The appearance of scars depends on the severity and cause. 

Types of Scar Discoloration

Both surface and deep scars can become discolored. Surface scars affect only the skin’s top layer, whereas deep scars extend further beneath. Dr. Brought treats both types and can identify the cause and type by looking at the scar.

Although any scar can become discolored, the risk is higher with certain types:

• Hypertrophic: Thickened tissue can lead to a more prominent, raised scar within the boundaries of the injury.
• Keloid: Excess scar tissue can cause raised scarring which extends outside the borders of the injury. Keloid scars often affect those with darker skin tones.
• Hyperpigmentation: These dark or red scars appear on the skin’s surface. Common causes of hyperpigmentation include chemicals, exposure to ultraviolet rays, or contact with extreme heat or cold.
• Hypopigmentation: This small white scar noticeably differs from your normal skin tone. Hypopigmentation scars form on the top skin layer and are more noticeable on darker skin. 

Why Do Scars Change Color?

Normal color changes occur during healing as the scar fades from red to a natural skin color. Scar discoloration is not part of the normal process. Here’s why scars change color:

The Scar Healing Process

You may experience different color stages of a scar during the healing process. The three phases of scar formation and their colors are:

1. Inflammation: Bleeding causes clotting, which forms a scab. This barrier protects the wound from outside contaminants or germs. White blood cells travel to the wound to clean it, removing bacteria. The scar appears red or reddish-purple because more blood flows to the injury site. 
2. Proliferation: After cleaning the wound, the body must rebuild the damage. Fibrous tissue fills the wound to boost new blood vessel growth, and the edges pull together. Epithelial cells create a protective barrier. Scars in this phase look red or pink and may seem raised.
3. Remodeling: In the final phase, the scar tissue matures. Collagen fibers align to flatten and smooth the scar, making it less noticeable. The redness fades to a shade closer to the skin’s natural tone. 

Melanin

Melanin could be why your scar turned purple. This natural substance influences the color of your skin, hair, and eyes. The more melanin you have, the darker these characteristics will be. It also absorbs harmful UV rays. How much melanin your body produces depends on genetics, sun exposure, and other factors. 

After an injury, your body sends melanin-producing cells called melanocytes to the wound. If too much melanin collects around a wound, it causes post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). The extra pigmentation can cause a purple scar. Sun exposure is another cause of PIH because the body creates more melanin to protect the skin.  

Skin Type

People with darker skin have more melanin, which increases the risk of dark scarring. They may also experience keloid scars more often than those with a lighter skin tone. Keloids often form in areas with more melanocytes.  

Medical Conditions and Medications

Melasma is a skin disorder that causes dark patches on the face or other areas. Research suggests that melasma occurs when the skin produces more melanocytes. If you have this condition, you may have a greater risk of scar discoloration. Studies show that some medicines, like anticoagulants and anti-inflammatories, can cause drug-induced pigmentation. These medications may worsen hyperpigmentation. 

Dr. Brought can help you identify why your scars are turning purple, red, or dark. Find out more about our scar treatments.

How Is Scar Discoloration Treated?

At SPRSI, Dr. Brought and his team use innovative treatments to reduce darkened scars. He may prescribe topical creams or gels for discoloration. For deeper scarring, he may use one or a combination of the following treatments:

• Camouflage: Think of scar camouflage as a medical tattoo. Dr. Brought injects a pigment into the scar that matches your skin color, helping it blend with the surrounding area. This nonsurgical procedure has little recovery time. 
• Dermabrasion: A rotating device removes the damaged outer skin layer. This treatment improves the scar’s appearance and stimulates new cell growth. You can combine dermabrasion with another treatment for deep scars. 
• Fillers: Some deeper scars cause craters in the skin. Injecting fillers into the area plumps up the skin and encourages collagen production. The result is a smoother, less visible scar.
• Laser therapy: Like dermabrasion, this treatment removes the top skin cells. Precision lasers break down scar tissue and promote collagen creation.  
• Microneedling: Tiny holes poked into the skin trigger the remodeling stage of healing. This technique encourages healthy skin cells and collagen. You may need a few treatments to reduce deeper scars. 

Tips to Prevent Scar Discoloration

Following these tips may help you avoid scar discoloration:

1. Keep the wound clean: Use mild soap and water to clean the wound.
2. Moisturize often: Hydrate the scar using a fragrance-free moisturizer or silicone gel. Moisturizing the skin promotes better elasticity and healing. 
3. Limit sun exposure: UV rays can darken scars. Frequently apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) to the scar when exposed to sunlight or cover with protective clothing. 
4. Avoid picking: Resist the urge to pick at scabs. Scratching can lead to more pronounced discoloration and scarring.
5. Stay hydrated: Water improves the skin’s protective barrier. When dehydrated, the skin loses elasticity, slowing the healing process.
6. Eat a healthy diet: A diet full of skin-boosting nutrients can help scars heal. Protein, healthy fat, zinc, selenium, and vitamins A, C, and E can promote healthier skin. 
7. Use silicone gel: Studies suggest that medical-grade silicone gel can help reduce hypertrophic and keloid scars. Among its benefits, the gel minimizes scar pigmentation.  Silicone is often available in sheets which are typically recommended to be utilized around the clock for a period of at least 3 months. 
8. Consult a professional: Even after taking preventive measures, your scar may still become discolored. Call SPRSI at 615-791-9090 to discuss treatment options. 

Contact Our Scar Removal Experts

Are discolored scars affecting your appearance and self-esteem? At SPRSI, our top priority is to restore our clients’ confidence. Dr. Brought and his staff have the knowledge, skill, and technology to fade your scars.

Trust Dr. Brought to recommend the right treatments for the best outcome. He recognizes that your skin is unique and may recommend topical treatments or a combination of advanced techniques. SPRSI is a trusted provider of cosmetic surgery procedures in Nashville. We serve residents in Williamson County, including Brentwood, Franklin, Fairview, and nearby areas.

Fill out our online contact form to learn more or book a scar removal consultation.