How does my skin type affect surgical scarring?

Stuart A. Linder, MD

Plastic Surgery

One important component to surgical scarring is the amount of pigmentation and melanin in the skin. Ethnicity plays a large role in certain types of scars as well. In general, patients of Latin American, Korean, Japanese, African American, and Middle Eastern descent have more pigmentation and darkening of the skin, which may increase the risks of scarring. They may experience both darkening as well as keloid (raised scar) and/or hypertrophic scars.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.