Why do scars act up in winter? The right steps for scar care

Winter dryness, itching and tightness around scars, whether from injury or acne, are common complaints, yet the season is rarely the root cause. What patients experience depends on the type of scar and the condition of the surrounding skin, and understanding both is the first step toward choosing the right approach to care.

Dr. Purva Pande, Consultant Clinical & Aesthetic Dermatology at Dr. Purva's Skin Clinic, shared The Right Steps for Scar Care in Winter.

Why Winter Affects Scar Tissue

Scarring is the body’s way of repairing damaged skin, with collagen laid down to close the wound. The resulting tissue differs from normal skin in texture, elasticity, pigmentation and thickness, and altered nerve sensitivity can add to itching, tenderness or discomfort. In winter, low humidity, colder temperatures and indoor heating increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL), the loss of water from the skin’s outermost layer. This weakens the skin barrier and leads to xerosis, or excessive dryness. Within a scar, dehydration shows up as tightness and pruritus, the medical term for itching, while friction from woollen clothing and scratching can aggravate it further. Seasonal dryness does not mean the scar is worsening, but persistent inflammation, progressive thickening or visible changes in appearance call for clinical assessment to rule out other causes.

Essential Steps for Winter Scar Care

Protecting the barrier and limiting irritants form the foundation of care. Dr. Purva pande recommend an emollient to lock moisture into the skin, and lukewarm showers over hot ones, which strip moisture. Scratching, vigorous exfoliation and products with potentially irritating ingredients should be avoided on sensitive scar tissue, soft fabrics reduce friction, and a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher guards against UV-induced darkening.

For fully healed scars, silicone gel or sheets are often recommended, particularly for hypertrophic scars, which are raised but remain within the boundary of the original wound. Keloids extend beyond that boundary and are treated differently, which is why the approach must be tailored to the type, location and severity of the scar.

When Professional Scar Revision Is Needed

A scar that looks uneven, depressed or raised, or that stays symptomatic despite good skin care, should be evaluated by a dermatologist. Options range from intralesional corticosteroid injections to topical and energy-based treatments, and the choice depends on whether the scar is atrophic, hypertrophic, keloidal or linked to post-inflammatory changes.

Among energy-based options, platforms such as Alma Hybrid may be considered for selected scar revision procedures. It combines an ablative carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser with a non-ablative laser, and in customised configurations these technologies resurface the skin and stimulate dermal remodelling, the process by which deeper skin tissue undergoes structural renewal and collagen reorganisation. Laser treatment is not suitable for every scar, however, and requires a full assessment of the risk of pigmentation changes, erythema and other side effects, with settings, protocols and recovery plans chosen by the dermatologist.

Approach to Scar Management

Managing scars in winter comes down to three things: keeping the skin hydrated, avoiding irritants and watching for changes that signal the need for treatment. Moisturisers and sun protection support the skin, but they cannot correct a scar that is raised, depressed or persistently symptomatic. A timely dermatological evaluation ensures that the approach, whether routine care or a procedure, matches the type, location and severity of the scar.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arti Adke

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Arti Adke, hailing from a respectable family with strong principles, pursued her passion for journalism. She is a Senior Sub-Editor and Senior Reporter, leading the Education and Food pages. Arti's journey in our organization continues to thrive as she strives for journalistic excellence.

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