Q: I am a man in my early 50s. Recently I had a minor accident and sustained a 2.5cm cut above my eyebrows.

At the hospital, the cut was treated with adhesive glue. Now, more than two months later, there is still an unsightly and prominent scar on my forehead. I have been applying scar removal cream daily but I cannot see any improvement.

Are there more effective methods to remove my scar?

A: The appearance of scars depends on a number of factors, including the depth and direction of the original injury, the manner in which the wound was closed and, to a certain degree, the individual's propensity for scarring.

Sometimes, retained foreign objects like glass fragments from shattered windscreens may manifest as a lump. Sun exposure aggravates the hyper-pigmentation during healing. Hyper-pigmentation refers to the dark colour of scars during the healing process and may take up to a year to fade away.

Some individuals may be allergic to certain foods, so consuming these may aggravate the hyper-pigmentation.

Different causes may require different treatment plans. These may include scar gel therapy, sunblock and reducing sun exposure, steroid injections and surgery.

You should consult a plastic surgeon who, after an examination, will be in the best position to advise you on the treatment of your scar.

Dr Erik Ang