How long does it take a scar to fade?

It can take up to 2 years for a wound to completely heal and scar tissue to cover the area, and the type of scar that forms determines how long the scar will take to fade, if it fades at all. Scars formed by traumatic injuries may take longer to heal and fade than scars formed from surgical incisions where a doctor may have used techniques to lessen scarring and improve healing.

People who wait 2 years and still have noticeable scars can undergo treatment to reduce the appearance of scarring. Scar treatment cannot remove scars but helps to improve appearance, especially on large scars or those that become thick or discolored.