Scar tissue forms when a wound heals but is different from skin tissue. For example, it is less elastic, leading to tightness, limited movement, and pain. Exercise, moisturizing, and other home and medical treatments may help.
Scar tissue pain can occur years after an injury or surgery. However, numerous treatment options may reduce scar tissue pain.
Scar tissue is part of the body’s natural response to damage. The body might grow scar tissue to heal a wound,
- burn
- cut
- sore
- surgical incision
External scar tissue has a structure different from that of the skin. In scar tissue, collagen proteins grow in a single direction rather than a multidirectional pattern, as in healthy skin. This structure makes scar tissue less elastic, which may cause it to feel tight or restrict a person’s range of movement.
Scar tissue may also form inside the body. For example, a person may internally develop scar tissue after knee replacement surgery.
Learn more about scars.
Scar tissue may cause pain in several ways. Sometimes, the pain is due to skin tightness, which may make it more difficult to move freely.
In other cases, scar tissue pain occurs due to nerve damage from the original injury. If the wound is deep and affects nerves or tendons, a person might have long-term symptoms in the affected area, such as pain or numbness.
Some people experience scar tissue pain due to fibrosis, which occurs when the body grows excessive scar tissue. Fibrosis causes adhesions that may lead to ongoing pain, inflammation, and loss of function of the tissue or joint.
Fibroblasts, which form during scar tissue growth, are responsible for fibrosis. If the fibroblasts do not clear over time, they cause prolonged inflammation.
Other symptoms associated with scar tissue include itching, swelling, and tenderness or sensitivity.
When a person first sustains an injury, they usually experience pain due to inflammation and damage to the skin. However, this typically improves over time.
When the body creates scar tissue after the injury, a person may not experience scar tissue pain until much later.
Scars can take up to 2 years to mature fully and go through stages of healing. This slow process may explain why some people do not experience scar tissue pain immediately. Initially, the scarring may look minimal, but the scar may get bigger over many weeks or become raised, firm, and thick.
Over the following months, the scar will become smaller and blend more with the person’s skin tone. Signs that a scar is mature include the tissue becoming a lighter colour, less sensitive, and smoother in texture.
At-home therapies can help a person manage or reduce scar tissue pain, ease swelling, and speed scar healing. Many of these techniques require regular, consistent use to be effective. They include:
- Massage: Massaging a scar in the scar’s direction may decrease sensitivity. If the scar is in a location difficult for a person to reach, a massage therapist can help.
- Exercise programs: A controlled exercise program may help reduce joint stiffness due to scar tissue. The exercises that will help depend on the scar’s location. A physical therapist may be able to help someone identify the best approach for them.
- Moisturizer: Applying moisturizers, such as cocoa or shea butter, can keep the skin soft, which sometimes helps lessen the discomfort of scar tissue. Doctors usually recommend avoiding moisturizers that contain perfume or fragrance, as these may irritate the skin.
- Silicone gel: To
promote scar tissue healing, people can purchase silicone gel sheets or paint-on silicone liquid. These products will stick to the skin’s surface, even if curved. - Vibration: Vibration devices like electronic massagers may help desensitize nerves and reduce pain. However, a person must use this technique daily for several months to see results.
If a person’s pain does not improve with at-home treatment, they may wish to try one of several medical procedures that can help reduce discomfort.
The best treatment will depend on the scar’s location and age, as well as the person’s symptoms. A person should always discuss the risks and benefits of these treatments with their doctor.
Some medical treatments for scars include:
- Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion is a procedure that uses a special tool to remove scar tissue and encourage new tissue growth. After the procedure, a person may see new tissue growth 5–8 days later.
- Fat grafting: This procedure involves removing fat from an area on a person’s body, processing the fat, and injecting it underneath a scar. Scientists believe that fat contains stem cells that can help healthy tissue grow. This new growth can help reduce skin tightness, which may lessen pain and itching.
- Laser treatments: Laser treatments involve applying a specialized laser to the skin. The laser penetrates the skin and stimulates collagen production to promote scar healing. Laser therapy will not eliminate a scar but
can reduce pain and itching and improve a person’s range of motion. - Scar revision surgery: If scarring is deep and painful, a person may require scar revision surgery. Surgeons usually only perform this procedure on mature or older scars. The scars may be on joints or areas that inhibit a person’s movement. Doctors may perform a skin graft—transplanting healthy skin from another part of the body—during the surgery.
What can a person do when scar tissue hurts?
When scar tissue hurts, people can moisturize, massage, or use silicone gel to promote healing and decrease pain.
When is best to massage scar tissue?
The best time to massage scar tissue is after the wound fully heals. However, older scars will still benefit from massage.
How can a person remove scar tissue?
At-home treatments, such as massaging the scar and applying moisturizers such as cocoa or shea butter, can help people manage or reduce scar tissue and speed healing.
Scar tissue forms after an injury and can develop on the skin’s surface or inside the body. For some people, scar tissue may cause pain, tightness, itching, or difficulty moving. Due to how scar tissue matures, these symptoms may occur years after an injury.
Helping scar tissue mature and heal at home may improve these symptoms. Massage, moisturizers, and silicone gel, among other at-home treatments, can also help. A doctor may recommend additional treatment, such as fat grafting or scar revision surgery if the pain persists.
If scar tissue impairs a person’s movement or causes severe pain, they should speak to a doctor to discuss their options.