HOW WIDE OR DEEP THE SCAR IS AFFECTED BY WHERE IT IS AND HOW IT TENDS TO GROW
Scars always occur following surgery, injuries or burns. How wide or deep these are depends on where they are located and how they tend to grow. The narrowest scars occur on areas of thin skin, e.g. scars on the eyelid, which are usually 1 mm wide. Scars widen more easily in areas where the skin is elastic, e.g. the back and joints. In such locations, it is normal for them to become 4–8 mm wide.
SCAR GROWTH IS GENETIC
The cells that make scar tissue work too effectively in one in ten people, a propensity that is genetic. There are different types of scar. Hypertrophic scars occur following, for example, burns and they seldom expand, but easily become deeper and thicker. Scars that widen are called keloids and these occur on people of all ages, but most frequently on young people who have more elastic skin.
Scar growth is most common on the shoulders, chest and ears.