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Scar Revision

All wounds heal with scars. In most cases those scars mature and fade over one to two years, settling to a colour and texture close to the surrounding skin. In some cases they do not — remaining thickened, raised, tethered, discoloured, or poorly positioned in a way that makes them persistently noticeable.

Mr Matthew Potter holds a higher degree in wound healing and scar research and management. He has a range of techniques available to address abnormal scars — from surgical excision and reorientation to injection therapies, fat grafting, pressure devices, and fillers — and will tailor the approach to the scar, its location, and what is causing it to remain abnormal.
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Why Mr Potter

Higher degree in wound healing and scar research and management

Full range of surgical and non-surgical scar treatments

Performing scar revision surgery since 2000

PHIN patient satisfaction score: 99%

PHIN is an independent government audit of consultant patient outcomes, randomly sampling post-operative patients. A 99% satisfaction score places Mr Potter among the highest-rated plastic surgeons in the country.

When scars remain abnormal

Some scars do not follow the expected maturation pathway. They may be:
  • Thickened or raised (hypertrophic scarring)
  • Keloid — raised scarring that extends beyond the original wound margins
  • Dimpled or tethered to underlying tissue
  • Marked with cross-hatching from previous sutures
  • Orientated in a direction that makes them more noticeable
  • Persistently discoloured
The cause varies — infection, wound tension, genetics, the site of the body, and the original technique all play a role. Understanding why a scar has remained abnormal informs what treatment is most likely to improve it.

How scars mature

All scars go through a predictable maturation process. Initially the scar is thin and pale. Over the following weeks it becomes more vascular — pink, slightly raised, and possibly itchy. This phase typically lasts around six months, after which the scar should begin to flatten and fade. Most scars are fully mature at two years, though some take longer.

Scar care — massage, moisturising, and sun protection — does not necessarily produce a better eventual scar, but it tends to bring the end result forward in time.

Mr Potter will assess the scar at consultation and recommend the most appropriate approach. Options include:

Injection therapies

steroid injections to flatten raised or hypertrophic scars.

Fat grafting and dermal fat grafting

restoring volume and improving the texture of depressed, tethered, or post-surgical scars using the patient’s own fat.

Pressure devices

used for hypertrophic and keloid scars to apply sustained pressure and encourage flattening.

Fillers

where appropriate, to address depressed or tethered scars in specific locations.

Surgical excision and reorientation

removing the abnormal scar tissue and re-closing the wound using techniques that reduce tension, place the incision within natural skin folds, and optimise the healing environment.

What Patients Say

I would just like to say thank-you for all the help you have given me. It’s nice to know that there are doctors like you around.
So grateful.
I was an in-patient following an orthopaedic procedure but unfortunately fell and suffered a deep 5cm gash to my forehead. Mr Potter happened to be in the hospital at the time and was able to treat me. Even though it was only a few weeks ago, the outcome has been excellent and the scar is already barely visible. Mr Potter was very friendly and reassuring at what was a worrying time and his work is self-evidently of the highest quality. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mr Potter.
I have recently been seen by Mr Potter for a wide local excision following a NHS initial excision. I wanted a private Plastic Surgeon in order to ensure the scar would be presented at its best. Although it is early days and the scar is healing well and the results are looking great thus far, if anyone wants a surgeon who takes time to explain what the condition is you have and has an excellent bed side manner with excellent results, I can assure you that all of these qualities and more Mr Potter displays. I would say I am the worst patient ever and he definitely put me at ease. After care is excellent and I would not go to anyone else now that I have experienced his professional care and skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the right time to treat an abnormal scar?

Most scars should be given at least one to two years to mature before surgical revision is considered — the final result often continues to improve for up to two years. However, non-surgical treatments such as steroid injections can begin earlier, particularly for actively raised or hypertrophic scars. Mr Potter will assess your scar and advise on the most appropriate timing.

A scar that has not followed the expected maturation pathway — remaining thickened, raised, tethered, discoloured, or poorly positioned after sufficient time — is considered abnormal. The cause varies and understanding it is part of planning the right treatment.

A hypertrophic scar is raised and thickened but stays within the original wound margins. A keloid extends beyond those margins, growing into surrounding skin. Both can be addressed but keloids are more complex to treat and have a higher recurrence risk — Mr Potter will discuss this in detail during consultation.

Surgical scar revision replaces one scar with another — the aim is a scar that is less noticeable, better positioned, or less symptomatic than the original. Mr Potter will be honest about what is and is not achievable and will show you examples during consultation.

No. Many abnormal scars respond well to non-surgical approaches — steroid injections, pressure therapy, fat grafting, or fillers. Mr Potter will assess the scar and recommend the least invasive approach that is likely to achieve a meaningful improvement.

At the Manor Hospital in Oxford, Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon, Stratum Clinic in Wootton Oxfordshire, ProDerm in Cheltenham, and Interface Business Park in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Book a Consultation

Contact us if you have any health concerns or are looking to get a consultation. You can contact Matthew Potter by using the form below or contact him through one of the available telephone numbers or email addresses listed on this page.

Private Secretary & All Correspondence

T. 07917 965717

Swindon - Ridgeway Hospital

T. 01793 814848

Cheltenham - ProDerm, Festival House

T. 0800 0489230

Oxfordshire - Stratum Clinic,
Wootton Business Park

T. 01865 320790

Wiltshire - Interface Business Park, Royal Wootton Bassett

T: 0808 2803560

Oxford - The Manor Hospital

T. 01865 307777

Contact Lissie on 07917 965717 or use the form below.