Why Scars Get Darker in Menopause — And How to Stop It

December 6, 2025

Quick Summary:

Declining estrogen during menopause triggers increased melanin production, causing existing scars to darken through post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Research shows that menopausal women experience slower wound healing and more pigment deposits in scar tissue. Medical-grade silicone treatments combined with sun protection may help reduce scar darkening when applied consistently for 8-12 weeks.

What This Article Covers

Why scars darken in menopause
The hormonal chain reaction behind pigmentation
Who is most affected
Evidence-based ways to reduce dark scars
How silicone helps menopausal skin
When to seek professional help

Sarah noticed something odd at her daughter's wedding. In the photos, her 15-year-old C-section scar looked noticeably darker than it had in years. At 52, she thought she'd moved past worrying about that scar, but suddenly it was front and centre again. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and it's not your fault.

Why Your Old Scars Are Suddenly More Visible

If you're in perimenopause or menopause and notice your surgical scars, C-section marks, or old injury scars looking darker than before, you're not imagining it. This common phenomenon affects many women during hormonal transition.

Estrogen plays a crucial role in controlling melanin production in your skin. When estrogen levels decline during menopause, your body's melanin regulation shifts, often increasing pigment production in areas of previous skin trauma. According to research published in Dermatology, this creates what's called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in scar tissue.

The Hormonal Chain Reaction Behind Scar Darkening

Here's what happens in your skin during menopause:

Estrogen ↓ → MSH ↑ → Melanin ↑ → Pigment Deposits in Scars ↑

When estrogen drops, your body produces more melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), which triggers melanin production. Scar tissue - already vulnerable due to disrupted melanocytes from the original injury, becomes a magnet for this excess pigmentation.

The Science Behind Scar Darkening in Menopausal Skin

Your skin contains both estrogen and progesterone receptors. During menopause, several changes occur simultaneously that contribute to scar darkening:

Increased Melanin Activity: Studies in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology show declining estrogen triggers melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), which increases melanin production. Scars already contain disrupted melanocytes from the original injury, making them particularly vulnerable to this hormonal shift.

Thinner Skin Barrier: Reduced collagen production during menopause creates thinner, more UV-sensitive skin. This makes scar tissue more susceptible to sun-triggered darkening, according to dermatological research.

Slower Healing Response: Menopausal skin shows delayed wound repair and prolonged inflammatory responses, meaning pigment deposits in scars persist longer than in younger skin.

A Common Story: When Perfect Healing Isn't Enough

Michelle had a mole removed from her shoulder at 46 - a simple procedure with excellent healing. Two years later, during perimenopause, that perfectly healed scar started developing a brown ring around the edges. Her dermatologist explained this wasn't poor healing or infection, but her changing hormones were making the scar more reactive to both internal melanin triggers and external sun exposure.

Who Experiences Scar Darkening Most

This condition appears to affect:

Women aged 45-65 in perimenopause or menopause
Those with medium to dark skin tones (higher melanin activity)
Anyone with surgical scars, C-section marks, burn scars, or injury sites
Women experiencing other pigmentation changes like melasma

Who may not experience this: Women with very light skin tones may notice less dramatic darkening, though UV damage can still affect scar appearance.

What Makes Menopausal Scar Darkening Different

Unlike temporary hyperpigmentation in younger skin, menopausal scar darkening involves multiple factors:

Evidence-Based Approaches to Reduce Scar Darkening

Sun Protection (Most Critical): Research consistently shows UV exposure worsens scar hyperpigmentation. Dermatologists recommend SPF 50+ daily, even on cloudy days. Scars lack melanin protection and are highly vulnerable to permanent darkening from sun exposure.

Medical-Grade Silicone: Studies in Dermatologic Surgery support silicone as the gold standard for scar management. Silicone creates a protective barrier that maintains optimal hydration levels and may help regulate pigment production.

Gentle Chemical Exfoliation: Dermatologists sometimes recommend products containing vitamin C or niacinamide to support cellular turnover, though results vary by individual.

Professional Consultation: For significant pigmentation concerns, dermatologists can assess whether prescription treatments or procedures might be appropriate.

Quick Action Checklist: Daily Scar Protection

✓ SPF 50+ Sunscreen: Apply to all scars daily, reapply every 2 hours in sun
✓ Medical-Grade Silicone: Twice-daily application to fully healed scars
✓ Protective Clothing: Cover scars when possible during sun exposure
✓ Avoid Heat Exposure: Hot yoga, saunas can increase inflammation
✓ Never Pick or Scratch: Trauma worsens pigmentation
✓ Hydrate Consistently: Internal and external moisture support healing
✓ Professional Assessment: See a dermatologist for concerning changes

Genova Silicone Scar Gel: A Targeted Option for Menopausal Skin

For women seeking evidence-based scar treatment, Genova Silicone Scar Gel combines medical-grade silicone with additional active ingredients designed to support scar healing.

Key Components:

Medical-grade silicone creates a protective barrier
Vanistryl (peptide) may help improve skin elasticity
Ecoskin Probiotic supports skin barrier function

Application Protocol:

Apply twice daily to clean, fully healed scars
Massage gently until partially absorbed
Allow silicone layer to form on surface (this is normal)
Use consistently for 8-12 weeks minimum

Realistic Expectations: Clinical observations suggest most users notice gradual improvements in scar texture and appearance over 8-12 weeks. Individual results vary based on scar age, location, and skin type.

What This Product Cannot Do

Genova Scar Gel is designed to support scar appearance improvement, but:

Cannot remove scars completely
Does not work on active wounds (only fully healed scars)
May not address very deep or old scars without additional treatments
Cannot lighten dermal (deep) pigmentation below the epidermis
Cannot reverse melasma - only supports scar-specific pigment reduction
Does not replace professional treatment for significant pigmentation concerns
Results vary significantly between individuals

Additional Lifestyle Factors That Matter

Sun Protection: Critical. Even with treatment, unprotected UV exposure can worsen scar pigmentation.

Consistent Application: Research shows silicone-based treatments require 8-12 weeks of twice-daily use for visible results.

Hydration: Maintaining skin moisture supports barrier function.

Professional Assessment: Significant or concerning pigmentation changes should be evaluated by a dermatologist to rule out other conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long before I see results? Most clinical studies show visible improvements between 8-12 weeks with consistent twice-daily application. Some scars may require longer treatment.

Can I use this on old scars? Yes, silicone treatments can be used on both new (fully healed) and old scars, though older scars may respond more slowly.

Will my scars completely disappear? No scar treatment can completely remove scars. The goal is to improve appearance by softening texture and potentially reducing pigmentation visibility.

Darker scars in menopause don't mean your skin is failing - they simply mean your hormones have shifted. Your body is responding exactly as it should to changing estrogen levels. And with the right protection and care, you absolutely can lighten and soften those scars. This isn't about erasing your history; it's about giving your skin the support it needs during this transition. You've got this.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes. Individual results vary. Consult a healthcare professional for significant skin concerns or before starting new treatments, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are using hormone replacement therapy.

References:

Shah, M.R. et al. “Skin changes and hormone replacement therapy in menopause.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2021.

Taylor, S.C. “Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment.” Dermatology, 2004.

O’Brien, L., & Jones, D.J. “Silicone gel sheeting for preventing and treating hypertrophic and keloid scars.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013.