How Your Skin Heals After Scar Treatment

When you do scar treatments like laser, TCA CROSS, or microneedling, your skin goes through a natural healing and remodelling journey. Here’s what to expect step by step:

Timeline of Healing After Scar Treatment (Laser, TCA CROSS, etc.)

Day 1 – Day 3: Fresh Wound

• The skin appears red, raw, and sometimes slightly wet.

• Mild swelling, stinging, or oozing can happen.
  👉 Focus: Keep skin moist with ointment, avoid sun, and no harsh products.

Day 3 – Day 7: Scab Stage

• A thin brown scab or crust forms.

• Skin feels tight, itchy, and fragile.

• Scars may appear larger or more pronounced → this is simply the scab sitting on top (an illusion only).
  👉 Focus: Let the scab fall off naturally, don’t scratch or peel.

Week 2: New Skin Appears

• Scabs start falling off, fresh pink/red skin underneath.

• Skin feels sensitive to the sun and skincare.

• Scars may look sharper or bigger → this happens because the old scar wall is breaking down, the new skin is thin, and collagen hasn’t filled in yet.
  👉 Focus: Use barrier cream, start sunscreen, and add gentle brightening cream.

Weeks 3 – 4: Early Remodelling

• Pink skin slowly turns closer to your normal tone.

• Some people may see temporary dark spots (PIH), especially in Asian skin.

• Collagen activity begins under the surface.
  👉 Focus: Sun protection + pigmentation control.

Weeks 5 – 6: Active Remodelling

• Redness and dark marks fade further.

• Collagen keeps building, scars start looking shallower and smoother.
  👉 Focus: Gentle actives can be increased if tolerated.

Weeks 6 – 8: Stronger Skin

• Skin is more resilient, less sensitive.

• Scars look softer and smoother as collagen fills in.

• Best time to plan your next scar treatment (usually every 6–8 weeks).
  👉 Focus: Maintenance skincare, protect results with sunscreen.

💡 Key Reminder
Scars often look worse before they look better.

Real results take weeks to months as collagen slowly builds.

Every session adds up — so patience is the secret to smoother skin.

✨ Collagen supplements or collagen-rich foods may support healing, but results vary and they’re not a magic fix. Want to know what really works for your skin? 👉 Ask your doctor at Klinik Dr. Diana.