Health & Healing
How long does it take for a scar to fade?
Estimated wait
6 months – 2 years
Typically ~1 year
Based on published sources
By case
- Faster cases~9 months
- Average cases~1 year
- Slower casesUp to 2 years
A fresh scar looks worse before it looks better — the thickening in the first weeks is normal, not a bad sign. Protecting it from the sun during the first year makes a real difference to the final colour. See a doctor if the scar grows beyond the original wound, itches persistently or hardens into a raised lump (keloid), as that is treatable. General information, not medical advice.
A scar needs roughly 6 months to 2 years to lose its redness and settle into its final, usually much less noticeable appearance. This happens in stages: the wound is red, swollen and tender for the first 1 to 3 weeks, the scar thickens and firms up over roughly 3 weeks to 2 months, and only then begins the long remodelling phase in which it flattens, softens and pales.
More details
How far a scar fades depends on your skin type, genetics, where it sits on the body and how well the wound was cared for.
Last updated: 20 Jul 2026
Information is for general knowledge only.