The short answer
White or pale scars are hypopigmented, meaning the skin has lost some of its pigment-producing cells and appears lighter than the surrounding skin. They tend to stand out most on tanned skin. Camouflage pigment can reduce the colour contrast, and in some cases is combined with restorative needling if the texture also needs attention. Results vary, and colour matching is judged after healing.
If you have a scar or stretch mark that has turned white, you will probably know the pattern: it is barely noticeable in winter, then jumps out as soon as the rest of your skin tans. That pattern is not your imagination, and it has a straightforward explanation.
Why scars and stretch marks turn white
The medical word is hypopigmentation, meaning less pigment than the surrounding skin. Skin colour comes from melanin, produced by cells called melanocytes. When skin is injured, or when it is stretched and then remodelled, those cells can be reduced or damaged in the area. The result is a paler patch.
Several things can leave skin hypopigmented:
- Surgical and traumatic scars.
- Burns and skin graft or donor sites.
- Mature stretch marks, which fade from red or purple to white or silver. See can you get rid of stretch marks?
- Some acne scars and other inflammatory skin injuries.
Why they stand out in summer
Pale tissue that has lost its pigment cells cannot tan. When the surrounding skin darkens in the sun, the scar stays the same colour, so the contrast increases. That is also why many people only notice a mark during or after summer.
How camouflage pigment helps
Camouflage tattooing places fine, colour-matched pigment into the pale area to reduce that contrast. It does not remove the scar. It makes the colour of the area closer to the skin around it, so the eye is less drawn to it. For a general overview, see skin camouflage tattooing: who is it for and how long does it last?
Some things influence how well this works:
- Colour matching. Skin has undertones, and the same body can vary in colour from one area to another.
- Your skin. Skin type and how you heal affect how pigment settles.
- Texture. Pigment does not change texture. A raised or indented scar may still catch the light even when the colour is matched.
- Sun exposure. Tanning changes the skin around the pigment, so matching is judged with your skin’s usual range in mind.
When needling comes into it
If a scar is both pale and uneven, a sequenced plan is often considered: restorative needling first to improve the texture and condition of the tissue, then pigment for colour once the scar has settled. We explain what needling can and cannot do in restorative needling vs microneedling. The order and timing depend on the scar and your healing.
What camouflage can’t do
A good practitioner will be upfront about the limits. Camouflage reduces contrast; it does not erase a scar. Colour is matched at the time of treatment and can shift as pigment fades or your skin changes with the seasons. Healing can alter how the colour looks, so the result is judged after the area has fully healed, and a touch-up is commonly part of the plan.
It is also not suitable in every situation. Immature scars, keloid-prone skin and unstable vitiligo, for instance, call for a different approach or medical input first.
Is yours a candidate?
The only way to know is to have the mark assessed, ideally in daylight. Book a free consultation in clinic or by video and we will tell you honestly whether camouflage, needling, both, or neither is the sensible next step. You can also read about skin camouflage at SEPEMA.
Frequently asked questions
Why are some scars white?
Scars can be white because the injured skin has lost some pigment-producing cells or because scar tissue itself is paler than the surrounding skin. The result is a mark that appears lighter, particularly against tanned skin.
Can white scars be treated?
Colour contrast can often be reduced using colour-matched pigment, and texture may be addressed with needling. How much improvement is possible depends on the scar, your skin, and how it heals.
Why do white scars stand out more in summer?
A scar that has lost its pigment cannot tan, so as the surrounding skin darkens in the sun the scar looks paler by comparison.
Can white stretch marks be camouflaged too?
White (mature) stretch marks are hypopigmented in the same way and are commonly assessed for camouflage, sometimes combined with needling for texture.
Further reading
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Results and timelines vary between individuals, and suitability is assessed at consultation. If you have a medical condition or are unsure about a change in your skin, speak with your doctor.