Concierge dermatology · UK
Scar treatment - no scalpel, just protocols that work.
A structured non-surgical pathway for hypertrophic, keloid, atrophic, red and pigmented scars - silicone, intralesional steroid and 5-FU, pulsed-dye and fractional laser, cryotherapy, and microneedling. Consultant dermatologist-led. For scars needing a scalpel, see our scar revision surgery page.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A named dermatologist, layered protocols
A consultant dermatologist who runs proper scar protocols - silicone first, then laser, then intralesional - not a single-treatment upsell.
- 02
Skin type-aware, from the first appointment
Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin needs different laser wavelengths, gentler settings and pigmentation-safe adjuncts. We match that up front.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic. Whether silicone, laser, steroid or a referral for surgical revision fits your scar, the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private non-surgical scar treatment costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner UK units. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options, with cover checked.
In short
Pulsed-dye laser in our network: £180–£380 per session, no downtime, home immediately.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation with photo analysis | £220–£380 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Silicone gel/tape supply (12-week course) | £85–£180 | n/a | Supplied same day |
| Intralesional steroid (triamcinolone) injection | £180–£320 per session | 10 min | Same visit |
| Intralesional 5-FU or 5-FU + steroid | £220–£380 per session | 10 min | Same visit |
| Pulsed-dye laser (redness, hypertrophic) | £180–£380 per session | 15–30 min | Same visit |
| Fractional non-ablative laser (atrophic, texture) | £280–£550 per session | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| Fractional ablative CO2 (severe atrophic, facial) | £650–£1,400 per session | 45 min | Same visit |
| Cryotherapy for hypertrophic/keloid | £150–£300 per session | 5–10 min | Same visit |
Non-surgical scar treatment usually needs several sessions - 3–6 for laser courses, 4–8 for keloid injection cycles. We confirm a full course quote within one working day, including silicone supplies and any needed adjuncts.
The problem
Scar treatment is layered - single-modality clinics under-deliver.
A hypertrophic scar rarely responds to silicone alone, laser alone, or steroid alone. Modern practice layers them, in the right order, on the right timeline.
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Silicone is the floor, not the ceiling
Silicone is baseline for every raised scar. But protocol adds pulsed-dye laser at 6–8 weeks and steroid or 5-FU where indicated.
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Skin type dictates the laser
The wrong wavelength on Fitzpatrick IV–VI causes pigment change that lasts longer than the scar. Skin-type-aware laser selection is non-negotiable.
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Know when to send it for surgery
A true contracture, a fully mature widened facial scar, or a keloid that has failed 12 months of combined non-surgical care - we send it to a plastic surgeon.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery - what happens, in order.
One dermatology team through the full protocol - often 4–8 sessions over 6–12 months, with photographic review at every visit.
Phase 1 · Before
Assessment and planning
Phase 2 · On the day
Treatment and discharge
Phase 3 · After
Follow-up and review
- 01
Before
You send us photos and history
A short form and clear photographs. When the scar appeared, how it feels, what has been tried, and Fitzpatrick skin type.
- 02
Before
Protocol matched to scar type
Within one working day: whether the scar is hypertrophic, keloid, atrophic, dyschromic or normotrophic - and the treatment protocol for that type. Firm quote.
- 03
Before
Baseline photography and patch test
Standardised photography with a skin analyser. Test spot for laser or cryotherapy in high Fitzpatrick skin. Silicone regimen started at the same appointment.
- 04
Before
Sun protection ramp-up
Daily SPF50 for 4 weeks before any laser or resurfacing. Tyrosinase-inhibitor skincare for pigmented skin.
- 05
On the day
In-clinic treatments
Each session 15–45 minutes. Vascular laser 15 minutes, fractional laser 30–45 minutes, cryotherapy 5–10 minutes, intralesional injection 5–15 minutes. All under topical anaesthesia where needed.
- 06
On the day
Home care and interval
Home the same appointment with written aftercare. Intervals of 4–8 weeks between sessions. Silicone continued throughout.
- 07
After
Photo review and protocol refinement
Review at 3, 6 and 12 months with side-by-side photography. Protocol adjusted or stepped down as the scar matures.
Typical protocol length: 3–12 months. Sessions: 4–8 in total. Final photographic review: 12 months from start.
When it helps
When non-surgical scar treatment is the right step.
The situations we see most, plus one red flag that means specialist review urgently rather than a routine booking.
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Hypertrophic scar after surgery or injury
A raised, red, itchy scar within the original wound boundary. Silicone plus steroid injection is the workhorse combination.
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Keloid scar (grows beyond boundary)
A scar spreading beyond the original wound - commonest on chest, earlobes, deltoid, jaw. Intralesional steroid, 5-FU and cryotherapy layered together.
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Atrophic acne scar
Ice-pick, boxcar and rolling scars - treated with fractional laser, microneedling with radiofrequency, and TCA CROSS for deep ice-pick.
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Post-surgical or C-section scar
Fresh scars started on silicone and sun protection early. Redness treated with pulsed-dye laser from 6–8 weeks.
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Red or purple scar (erythema)
Persistent redness in an otherwise flat scar - pulsed-dye laser or intense pulsed light 3–4 sessions.
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Hyperpigmented scar
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, common in Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin. Topical tyrosinase inhibitors and cautious laser once inflammation has settled.
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Hypopigmented or white scar
The hardest scar to treat. Fractional laser to induce controlled repigmentation, and - in stable cases - microtattoo camouflage.
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Not right for: functional contractures
A scar limiting joint movement is a surgical release, not a non-surgical protocol. We refer for scar revision surgery in that scenario.
Procedure options
The right protocol depends on scar type and skin type - not clinic branding.
Silicone, injection, laser, cryotherapy and microneedling all have well-defined places in scar care. The skill is combining them correctly.
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Silicone gel or sheet
The starting point for every raised or fresh scar. Occludes and hydrates the scar to normalise collagen. 12 hours a day for 12 weeks minimum. Evidence base is strong.
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Intralesional triamcinolone
Steroid injected into a hypertrophic or keloid scar every 4–6 weeks. Flattens and softens; useful in combination with 5-FU or cryotherapy in stubborn keloids.
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Intralesional 5-fluorouracil
Antimetabolite injected alone or with steroid for keloids that fail steroid alone. Rotates well with steroid to minimise skin thinning.
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Pulsed-dye laser (595 nm)
For redness, hypertrophic scars and early keloids. Targets the vascular component, reduces itch and flattens over 3–5 sessions.
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Fractional non-ablative laser (1540/1550 nm)
For atrophic scars, texture and mild pigmentation. Safer on skin of colour than ablative. 3–6 sessions at 4–8 week intervals.
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Fractional ablative CO2 or Er:YAG
For severe atrophic acne scars, deep burn scars and mature hypertrophic scars on lighter skin types. More downtime, stronger results.
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Cryotherapy (contact or intralesional)
Freeze-thaw injury flattens hypertrophic scars and keloids, especially small chest and earlobe lesions. Often combined with steroid injection.
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Microneedling with or without radiofrequency
Micro-injuries stimulate collagen remodelling - well suited to atrophic acne and traumatic scars. RF adds thermal remodelling in the mid-dermis.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of dermatologists, we picked them.
GMC-registered consultant dermatologists across London and the major UK cities with ethnic-skin expertise and multiple laser platforms on site. Introductions made privately once we understand your scar.
Selection criteria
How we choose every specialist in our network.
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GMC-registered consultant dermatologists on the Specialist Register
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British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) membership
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Multiple laser platforms on site - pulsed-dye plus non-ablative and ablative fractional
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Ethnic-skin expertise and pigment-safe laser settings for Fitzpatrick IV–VI
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Non-surgical scar treatment is well tolerated. The important conversations are about skin type-appropriate laser choice and realistic session counts.
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No general anaesthetic, mostly no downtime
Most treatments are 15–45 minutes with topical anaesthesia. Fractional ablative CO2 is the only regime with meaningful downtime (5–7 days of redness and peeling).
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Silicone works - if used consistently
12 hours a day for at least 12 weeks. Poor compliance is the single biggest reason a hypertrophic scar does not settle. Tape is easier to comply with than gel in most cases.
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Steroid injection: skin thinning and hypopigmentation
Around 10–15 percent of steroid injections cause visible thinning or lightening of the surrounding skin. Precise intralesional delivery and rotating with 5-FU or cryotherapy reduces it.
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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after laser
Higher in Fitzpatrick IV–VI. Mitigated with strict sun protection, pre-treatment tyrosinase-inhibitor skincare and pigment-safe wavelength choice. A test spot is standard.
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Cryotherapy: hypopigmentation and blistering
Cryotherapy commonly leaves a paler patch after treatment, especially in darker skin. Small blisters over 24–48 hours are expected and heal without scarring.
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Keloid recurrence is the norm without layered care
Keloids recur in 50–80 percent with a single modality. Combination protocols (steroid + 5-FU + cryotherapy + silicone) at least halve that. Adherence to the schedule matters.
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Non-surgical will not release a true contracture
For a scar restricting joint or facial movement, non-surgical treatment softens texture but will not lengthen tissue. Surgery is the tool for that job.
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Sun protection every day, for 12 months
SPF50 on treated scars for at least a year. UV drives both redness and pigment change. This is the highest-yield thing you can do after any scar treatment.
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Red flags
Spreading redness, purulent discharge, fever, or sudden hard growth in a treated scar need same-day review, not a routine call.
Reading your notes
Your notes in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whether laser, injection, cryotherapy or microneedling, the treatment record keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Clinical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through your notes before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Scar type and treatment plan
Whether hypertrophic, keloid, atrophic, dyschromic; skin type; and the layered protocol chosen.
- 02 Technique
Modalities and settings
Which laser wavelengths and settings, which injection concentrations, cryotherapy freeze times - recorded so subsequent sessions can be titrated.
- 03 Findings
Response and photographic change
Comparison to baseline photographs at each visit, with objective measures of height, redness and pigmentation.
- 04 Impression
Next steps and interval
Read this first: when to return, what silicone or topical to continue at home, sun protection reminders, and when to consider stepping down or referring for surgery.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Non-surgical scar treatment is usually self-pay unless treating a scar caused by an insured event (surgery, trauma). Silicone and simple injection are sometimes covered. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about scar treatment.
Quick answers on silicone, laser, injection, cost and realistic session counts.
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What is the difference between scar treatment and scar revision surgery?
Scar treatment is non-surgical work on an intact scar - silicone, steroid or 5-FU injection, pulsed-dye or fractional laser, cryotherapy, microneedling. It changes texture, height, redness and pigmentation without a scalpel. Scar revision surgery physically re-cuts and re-closes the scar, changing its shape, direction or tension. Most scars start with non-surgical treatment; only some need revision, and many need both in sequence.
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Does silicone really work, or is it a myth?
It works. Silicone gel and sheeting have strong randomised evidence for reducing hypertrophic scar height, redness and itch, especially when started early. The catch is compliance - it needs 12 hours a day for at least 12 weeks. Silicone tape is often better tolerated than gel, especially on trunk and limb scars.
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Can you treat keloids without surgery?
Yes, and in most cases you should try. Intralesional steroid plus 5-FU, combined with silicone and often cryotherapy, controls the majority of keloids over 3–6 sessions. Surgery alone for a keloid recurs in 50–80 percent - non-surgical protocols are actually more reliable, and always the first step. Post-surgical keloid excision itself needs immediate adjunct radiotherapy or intralesional therapy.
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Which laser is right for my scar?
Pulsed-dye laser (595 nm) for redness and early hypertrophic scars. Non-ablative fractional (1540/1550 nm) for atrophic acne, mild pigmentation and skin of colour. Ablative fractional CO2 or Er:YAG for severe atrophic or mature scars on Fitzpatrick I–III. The wrong wavelength on the wrong skin type causes hyperpigmentation, so match matters more than brand.
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How much does private scar treatment cost in the UK?
Roughly £220–£380 for consultation, £85–£180 for silicone supplies, £180–£320 per steroid injection, £180–£380 per pulsed-dye laser session, £280–£550 per non-ablative fractional session and £650–£1,400 per ablative fractional session. Multiple sessions are usually needed - 3–6 for laser, 4–8 for keloid injection cycles.
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How long does non-surgical scar treatment take?
Sessions are 15–45 minutes. Intervals are 4–8 weeks. A typical hypertrophic scar course is 3–6 months. A keloid protocol runs 6–12 months. Fresh post-surgical scars benefit from silicone plus early pulsed-dye laser from week 6–8 for the best long-term result at 12 months.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Scar revision surgery
Surgical revision of problem scars.
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Laser resurfacing
Broader laser resurfacing pathway.
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Laser treatment for acne scarring
Acne scar-specific laser pathway.
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Microneedling for acne scarring
Microneedling for atrophic scarring.
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Cryotherapy treatment
Cryotherapy for keloid and hypertrophic scars.
Learn more -
All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more