Dr Bhavin Garara
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Scarring

Scarring

Body scars — from surgery, trauma, C-section, burns, or repeated skin conditions — can be tethered, raised, discoloured, or symptomatic. Treatment combines intralesional steroid for raised scars, subcision and biostimulator placement for tethered scars, laser and radiofrequency for textural change, and regenerative skin support throughout. Body skin heals more slowly than facial skin and is more prone to keloid formation; protocols are conservative.

Medically reviewed by Dr Bhavin Garara, GMC 7155707 · Last reviewed: 28 May 2026

On this page

Keloid and hypertrophic scarring are recognised medical conditions. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Dr Garara will assess each scar at consultation; rapidly growing, symptomatic, or unusually behaving scars benefit from dermatological review.

What it is

What Is Body Scarring?

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Body scars develop after any skin injury where the dermis has been breached — surgery, trauma, burns, deep acne, ingrown hairs, piercings. The body’s response varies by genetics, anatomical site, wound tension, healing conditions, and skin type. The most common challenging body scars are post-surgical hypertrophic and keloid scars, C-section shelves and tethering, and post-traumatic keloids.

Dr Bhavin Garara’s approach combines medical management of the inflammatory component (intralesional steroid where raised), mechanical management of tethering (subcision where indicated), and energy-based and regenerative support — over multiple sessions.

Where it shows

Types of Body Scar

  • Hypertrophic scars

    Raised but stay within the original wound margin.

  • Keloid scars

    Extend beyond the original wound, often itch, are more common in skin of colour and at certain anatomical sites (sternum, shoulders, earlobes).

  • Atrophic / depressed scars

    Depressions including post-acne back scars and post-surgical indentations.

  • Tethered scars

    C-section shelves and surgical scars where deeper tissue is bound to overlying skin.

  • Discoloured scars

    Predominantly pigmentary, either hyperpigmented or hypopigmented.

What causes it

What Causes Body Scarring?

  1. 1

    The original injury

    Surgery, C-section, trauma, burns, severe acne, repeated friction, and skin infections all leave the dermis vulnerable to scar formation.

  2. 2

    Genetic and ethnic factors

    Keloid tendency runs in families and is more common in skin of colour.

  3. 3

    Wound tension and movement

    Scars across moving areas (knees, shoulders, abdomen post-C-section) often heal less neatly.

  4. 4

    Wound healing factors

    Infection, delayed healing, certain medications, and individual healing characteristics affect outcome.

  5. 5

    Anatomical site

    Skin over bone scars more readily; the sternum, shoulders, and earlobes are particularly prone.

Dr Bhavin Garara
Dr Bhavin Garara, MBBS, BMedSci, PGDip
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Dr Garara's approach

How Dr Garara Treats Body Scarring

At the clinics in London, Dr Garara assesses scar type, age, symptoms (itch, pain, restriction of movement), and underlying anatomy. The plan combines medical management of the raised inflammatory component (intralesional steroid), mechanical release where tethered, and resurfacing with energy-based and regenerative treatments — over a course staged according to scar age and skin type.
  • Anatomy-led assessmentTreatment plans built around your unique facial structure and movement.
  • Personalised planCombinations chosen for your skin, goals, and lifestyle — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
  • Natural resultsA refreshed, well-rested version of you — never a frozen or over-treated look.

Features

Treatment Options for Body Scarring

Intralesional steroid (Kenalog®), subcision + biostimulator, fractional laser / radiofrequency microneedling, regenerative skin treatments, Seffiller (autologous), and pigment correction.

Intralesional steroid for raised scars (prescription-only medicine)

Intralesional steroid for raised scars (prescription-only medicine)

For hypertrophic and keloid body scars, targeted micro-injections soften and flatten the raised component by reducing the overactive healing response. A widely-used brand example is Kenalog®.

Subcision and biostimulator (for tethered scars)

Subcision and biostimulator (for tethered scars)

For C-section shelves and surgical scars where the dermis is bound to deeper tissue, subcision mechanically releases the fibrous bands. PLLA or CaHA biostimulators placed in the released space discourage re-tethering.

Fractional laser and radiofrequency microneedling

Fractional laser and radiofrequency microneedling

UltraClear (cold ablative 2910nm fibre laser) and Sylfirm X (radiofrequency microneedling) refine surface texture and remodel deeper dermal collagen.

See SkinPen microneedling →
Regenerative skin treatments

Regenerative skin treatments

Polynucleotides (Rejuran®), PDRN, multi-ingredient skinboosters, autologous PRP and platelet-derived exosomes support tissue quality and organised collagen healing — particularly useful in skin of colour.

Seffiller — autologous regenerative (selective)

Seffiller — autologous regenerative (selective)

For severe atrophic body scarring with significant volume loss, Seffiller (autologous fat grafting) rebuilds the dermal foundation using the patient’s own tissue.

Pigment correction

Pigment correction

PicoSure Pro (picosecond laser) addresses hyperpigmented post-traumatic scars; Derma V (vascular laser) addresses red post-inflammatory marks. Hypopigmented (white) scars are difficult — sometimes responsive to fractional laser.

Treatment is layered — intralesional steroid for raised scars, subcision and biostimulator for tethered scars, energy-based resurfacing for texture, regenerative support throughout, and Seffiller (autologous) where significant volume loss is present.

Intralesional steroid for raised scars (prescription-only medicine)

  • Best for: Raised hypertrophic and keloid scars
  • Downtime: None — brief soreness
  • Lasts: Softens / flattens over weeks; usually repeated

For hypertrophic and keloid body scars, intralesional steroid injection softens and flattens the raised component by reducing the overactive healing response. A brand example some patients may have heard of is Kenalog®.

Intralesional steroid is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, which means it can only be prescribed and administered by a qualified medical prescriber following a face-to-face consultation. Whether it is suitable for you is something Dr Garara will discuss with you at consultation. It is not suitable for everyone.

Treatment is usually repeated every 4–6 weeks; the effect is to flatten and soften the raised scar over weeks to months. The result is not described as permanent.

Subcision and biostimulator (for tethered scars)

  • Best for: Tethered surgical and C-section scars
  • Downtime: 3–5 days of swelling and bruising
  • Lasts: Long-lasting; collagen remodelling continues for months

For tethered scars — C-section shelves, surgical scars where the dermis is bound to deeper tissue — subcision mechanically releases the fibrous bands. Collagen biostimulators (PLLA or CaHA) placed into the released space build collagen and reduce the risk of re-tethering. Both reversible-volume and longer-term biostimulator options are considered.

Fractional laser and radiofrequency microneedling

  • Best for: Textural surface change
  • Downtime: 3–7 days of redness or peeling
  • Lasts: Long-lasting; results develop over months

For textural change, raised scar surface, and hypopigmented or atrophic scar areas, UltraClear (cold ablative 2910nm fibre laser) and Sylfirm X (radiofrequency microneedling) refine surface texture and remodel deeper dermal collagen.

Regenerative skin treatments

  • Best for: All scar types; supports healing
  • Downtime: 1–3 days of mild redness
  • Lasts: Around 6–12 months with a course

Polynucleotides (Rejuran®), PDRN, multi-ingredient skinboosters, autologous PRP and platelet-derived exosomes support tissue quality and organised collagen healing. Particularly useful in skin of colour to reduce post-inflammatory pigment risk.

Seffiller — autologous regenerative (selective)

  • Best for: Severe atrophic body scars; selective
  • Downtime: 5–10 days of swelling
  • Lasts: Variable — a proportion integrates and lasts

For severe atrophic body scarring with significant volume loss, Seffiller (autologous fat grafting) can rebuild the dermal foundation using the patient’s own tissue. A proportion of the transferred fat integrates and provides long-lasting volume; results vary between individuals.

Pigment correction

For hyperpigmented post-traumatic scars, PicoSure Pro (picosecond laser) can address pigment. Derma V (vascular laser) addresses red post-inflammatory marks. Hypopigmented (white) scars are difficult — sometimes responsive to fractional laser; sometimes not.

Treatment for higher Fitzpatrick skin types (IV–VI) requires careful device selection and conservative settings to reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or, in some cases, further keloid formation. Dr Garara has particular experience in aesthetic medicine for skin of colour.

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Compare at a glance

Treatments at a Glance

Intralesional steroid (POM)

Best suited for
Raised hypertrophic and keloid scars
Typical downtime
None — brief soreness
How long results last
Softens / flattens over weeks; usually repeated
What it does
Reduces overactive healing response

Subcision + biostimulator

Best suited for
Tethered surgical and C-section scars
Typical downtime
3–5 days of swelling and bruising
How long results last
Long-lasting; collagen remodelling continues for months
What it does
Releases tether and rebuilds collagen

Fractional laser / RF microneedling

Best suited for
Textural surface change
Typical downtime
3–7 days of redness or peeling
How long results last
Long-lasting; results develop over months
What it does
Refines surface and remodels dermal collagen

Regenerative skin treatments

Best suited for
All scar types; supports healing
Typical downtime
1–3 days of mild redness
How long results last
Around 6–12 months with a course
What it does
Supports tissue quality

Seffiller (autologous)

Best suited for
Severe atrophic body scars; selective
Typical downtime
5–10 days of swelling
How long results last
Variable — a proportion integrates and lasts
What it does
Rebuilds dermal foundation

Picosecond / vascular laser

Best suited for
Hyperpigmented or red post-scar marks
Typical downtime
1–5 days of darkening or redness
How long results last
Long-lasting with daily SPF
What it does
Addresses pigment and visible vessels

Downtime and duration figures are typical averages only. Individual results vary considerably. Dr Garara will give you a more personalised picture at consultation.

Safety & risk

Is Body Scar Treatment Safe?

Body scar treatment is widely performed but carries treatment-specific risks. Intralesional steroid can cause local skin atrophy, hypopigmentation, and (rarely) systemic effects if over-used; this is managed by careful spaced dosing. Subcision can bruise and rarely irritate nerves. Energy-based treatments carry the risk of post-inflammatory pigment change, particularly in skin of colour. Keloid management is particularly nuanced — surgical excision alone often produces a larger keloid.

We share this because patients deserve full information. Dr Garara is happy to discuss specific risks at consultation.
  • Qualified medical practitionerTreatment carried out by an experienced doctor with detailed anatomical training.
  • Reversal agents on handHyaluronidase and other complication-management tools are immediately available.
  • Full informed consentRisks, alternatives, and expected outcomes discussed in detail before any treatment.
Dr Bhavin Garara
Reviewed byDr Bhavin Garara

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about treating body scars.

Read next

Related Concerns

Body scarring connects to other concerns. You may also want to read about:

Facial scarringScars (skin)Stretch marksPigmentation (body)Acne and breakouts
← All body concerns

For an overview of all the facial concerns we treat, visit our Body treatments hub.

Next step

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Consultation

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  • All consultations are strictly confidential.

This page is for general information and does not constitute medical advice. All treatments require a personal consultation. Suitability, risks, and expected outcomes will be discussed with you in detail before any treatment is carried out.