Surgical scars

Give a surgical scar its best chance to heal flat and soft.

Every surgery leaves a mark, but how that scar matures isn't fixed. Once the wound has fully closed, the right topical care over the following weeks can help a surgical scar settle flatter, softer, and less noticeable.

Reviewed by Raed Salah, Pharmacist and Technical DirectorLast reviewed September 2026

What a surgical scar is

A surgical scar is the skin's natural repair after an incision. As the wound closes, the body lays down collagen to bridge the gap — and how that collagen is organized determines whether the final scar is flat and pale or raised and firm.

In the first weeks and months after a procedure, a scar is still remodeling. This window is when supportive care makes the most difference to how it eventually looks and feels.

What affects how a surgical scar heals

Several factors influence the final appearance of a surgical scar:

Tension and location. Incisions across areas of movement or stretch tend to widen or thicken more than those in still areas.

Depth and closure. Deeper incisions and the way a wound is closed affect how much collagen the body produces during repair.

Skin and care. Individual skin type, sun exposure, dryness, and how the scar is cared for all shape the result.

A maturing surgical scar can change over weeks. Common things people notice:

  • Raised or firm tissue along the incision line
  • Redness or a darker tone compared to surrounding skin
  • Tightness or pulling around the scar
  • Itching or mild discomfort as it heals
  • A scar that feels thicker than expected

Most of these can't be changed after the fact — but consistent topical care, started once the skin has healed, supports the factors that are still in play.

Caring for a surgical scar

Once the wound has fully closed and any sutures are removed, a simple routine helps a surgical scar mature well:

Keep it protected and moisturized. A healed scar does best in a hydrated, protected environment — this is where a topical silicone gel helps most.

Be gentle and consistent. Scars remodel over weeks to months. Daily care over a full course matters more than any single application.

Protect from the sun. A new scar can darken with sun exposure; keeping it covered or shielded helps it fade evenly.

Start at the right time. Begin once the wound has fully closed, is dry and any stitches or staples are out — often about two weeks after surgery, but your surgeon's assessment comes first. Never apply to an open or unhealed wound.

The goal is a scar that ends up as flat, soft, and pale as possible. Starting early, once healed, gives that the best chance.

When to seek care

Check with your doctor if

Most surgical scars heal uneventfully. Contact your surgeon or doctor if you notice:

Spreading redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge (possible infection)
A scar that keeps growing, thickening, or becoming raised beyond the original line
Increasing pain rather than gradual improvement
A wound that reopens or hasn't fully closed

How Scarless helps

How Scarless helps surgical scars

Once the incision has closed and fully dried, Scarless forms a thin silicone layer over the scar that may help reduce moisture loss from its surface. With regular use, this may support the scar's pliability, texture, and appearance, but response varies, the gel does not remove the scar, and it may not be enough for every case.

  • The occlusive silicone layer hydrates the scar and reduces water loss — the environment a scar needs to flatten.
  • Squalane keeps the surrounding skin comfortable through weeks of daily use.
  • Regular use may support the scar's pliability, texture, and appearance.
Learn about the ingredientsSee how it worksSee how the gel helpsRead the published researchWhen to start using silicone gel after surgery

Where to next

A few ways forward

A surgical scar does best with early, consistent care. Here's where to start.

  • Where to buy

    See the pharmacies and ordering options in your country.

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  • Ask us directly

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