Surgical scars

Give a surgical scar its best chance to fade.

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 healed scar is cared for all shape the result.

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.

What to look for

Signs of a developing scar

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

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 consistent and patient. 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 only after the skin has healed — usually around two weeks post-procedure — never on 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 your incision has healed, Scarless forms an invisible silicone barrier over the scar. That barrier locks in moisture and supports more normalized collagen as the scar remodels — helping it settle flatter, softer, and less red over a course of consistent use.

  • 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.
  • A stable vitamin C derivative supports collagen organization and helps even the scar's tone.
  • Drug-free and gentle — suitable for sensitive skin once the wound has closed.
Learn about the ingredientsSee how it worksSee how the gel helpsRead the published researchHow scars form, and why two people heal so differently

Common myths

“Once a scar forms, nothing can change it.” A new scar remodels for months. Supportive care during that window can meaningfully change how it ends up.

“I should start treating it right after surgery.” Not on an open wound. Scar care begins only after the incision has fully closed and sutures are removed.

“Vitamin E or home oils work just as well.” Topical silicone is the most studied non-invasive approach for surgical scars; many home remedies aren't well supported.

“Massaging harder makes it fade faster.” Gentle, consistent care beats aggressive rubbing, which can irritate a healing scar.

Research highlights

Published research on scar care

Topical silicone is one of the most studied non-invasive options for managing surgical scars. Scarless's formula builds on that evidence.

Silicone

Advanced-formula silicone gel for preventing post-operative scars

An advanced-formula topical silicone gel applied twice daily for three months improved scar pigmentation, vascularity, pliability and height. The trial had no control group, and the authors describe the findings as preliminary, noting that larger controlled studies are warranted.

Silicone

Silicone scar gel for early intervention in scar management

A 100% silicone scar gel applied twice daily reduced Vancouver Scar Scale and Observer Scar Assessment Scale scores over twelve weeks, with no adverse events reported. There was no comparison group, so the study describes change over time rather than an effect measured against an alternative.

Silicone

Topical silicone gel versus silicone gel sheet for post-surgical scars

Patients were randomly assigned to a silicone gel sheet or a topical silicone gel. Vancouver Scar Scale scores showed no significant difference in efficacy between the two, and patients found the topical gel more convenient to use.

Related reading

Where to next

A few ways forward

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

  • Order Online

    Available at pharmacies across our markets — or order online.

    Order Online

  • Ask us directly

    Not sure if Scarless fits your scar? Reach us directly.

    Open WhatsApp