Scars and Their Impact
Scars are an inevitable part of wound healing, but not all scars heal the same way. Some remain flat and fade over time. Others become raised, red, itchy, or painful — and in some cases grow beyond the original wound boundary. Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital has one of China's most experienced scar and keloid treatment programmes, drawing on both its burns unit heritage and its plastic surgery expertise.
Types of Problematic Scars
Hypertrophic Scars
Raised, red scars that remain within the boundary of the original wound. They often improve over 1–2 years but can cause discomfort and cosmetic concern in the meantime. Treatment can accelerate improvement and prevent permanent thickening.
Keloids
Keloids extend beyond the original wound boundary and do not regress spontaneously. They are more common in people with darker skin tones and have a genetic component. Keloids on the earlobes, chest, shoulders, and upper back are particularly common. Treatment is more complex than for hypertrophic scars and often requires a combination of approaches.
Atrophic Scars
Depressed scars that sit below the surrounding skin surface. Common after acne, chickenpox, or certain surgical incisions. Treatment focuses on raising the scar to the level of surrounding skin.
Contracture Scars
Scars that tighten and restrict movement, typically following burns or injuries over joints. Surgical release is often required to restore function.
Treatment Options at Ninth Hospital
Surgical Excision
The scar is cut out and the wound re-closed with meticulous technique. For simple scars in favourable locations, excision alone can produce a significantly improved result. For keloids, excision alone has a high recurrence rate and must be combined with adjuvant treatment.
Intralesional Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid is injected directly into the scar to reduce inflammation, flatten raised tissue, and relieve itching. A series of injections spaced 4–6 weeks apart is typically required. Effective for both hypertrophic scars and keloids, though keloids often require combination therapy.
Radiotherapy
Low-dose radiotherapy applied immediately after surgical excision of a keloid significantly reduces recurrence rates. Ninth Hospital has access to radiotherapy facilities and uses this combination approach for high-risk keloid cases. This is not available at most cosmetic clinics.
Laser Treatment
Pulsed dye laser reduces redness and vascularity in hypertrophic scars. Fractional CO2 laser improves texture and surface irregularity in atrophic scars. Multiple sessions are typically required.
Silicone Therapy
Silicone sheets or gel applied to the scar surface reduce hypertrophy and improve scar colour over time. Used as a standalone treatment for mild scars or as an adjunct to other therapies.
Pressure Therapy
Custom-made pressure garments are used for large hypertrophic scars, particularly following burns. Ninth Hospital's burns unit has extensive experience with pressure therapy protocols.
Fat Grafting
Injecting fat beneath a scar can improve its appearance by adding volume, improving vascularity, and releasing tethering. Particularly useful for depressed or tethered scars following trauma or previous surgery.
The Keloid Challenge
Keloids are notoriously difficult to treat. No single treatment is universally effective, and recurrence after treatment is common. The most successful approach combines surgical excision with immediate post-operative radiotherapy, followed by ongoing corticosteroid injections and pressure therapy. Ninth Hospital's multidisciplinary approach — drawing on plastic surgery, dermatology, and radiotherapy — gives it a significant advantage over centres that treat keloids with a single modality.
Costs
- Corticosteroid injection (per session): ¥500 – ¥2,000
- Laser treatment (per session): ¥2,000 – ¥8,000
- Surgical excision (simple): ¥5,000 – ¥20,000
- Keloid excision + radiotherapy: ¥15,000 – ¥50,000
- Contracture release with flap reconstruction: ¥30,000 – ¥80,000
What to Expect
Scar treatment is rarely a single-session process. Most patients require a course of treatment over several months. Results improve gradually, and patience is essential. Your surgeon will set realistic expectations at your initial consultation and outline a treatment plan with clear milestones.
For international patients, it is worth discussing a treatment plan that can be partially managed remotely — for example, corticosteroid injections that can be administered by a local dermatologist between visits to Shanghai.
Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital's combination of surgical expertise, access to radiotherapy, and burns unit experience makes it one of the most capable centres in China for complex scar and keloid management.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Costs and availability are subject to change. Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any scar treatment programme.
Contact Us
For help arranging a scar revision consultation at Shanghai Ninth Hospital, email wuguopeng1989@gmail.com.