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Written by Tasfia Chowdhury Supty
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Whether it’s an old family portrait or a favorite snapshot, scratches on photos can instantly take away their charm. Imagine rediscovering a childhood photo only to see lines and scuffs across the image. But what if you could erase those blemishes and bring the image back to life?
Today’s tools, from beginner-friendly apps to professional-grade software, make scratches removal from photo easier and more accessible than ever. In this guide, we’ll show you how to fix photo scratches step by step — so you can preserve your visual memories like new.
Photo scratches—particularly on prints or negatives—often happen due to camera malfunctions, rough handling, or exposure to damaging environments.
Common causes include:
Knowing the cause helps determine the best method for removing scratches, especially if you plan to scan printed photos or restore digital files.
When you understand the origin of the damage, you’ll be better equipped to choose the right tools — which we’ll cover next.
There are several tools in Photoshop you can use to fix photo scratches, including Dust & Scratches, Healing Brush, Spot Healing Brush, and the newer Generative Fill (in the latest versions).
This method works best for light, surface-level scratches across larger areas.
These tools are ideal for targeted fixes and detailed retouching.
If Photoshop feels too complex, easier alternatives are available.
Modern AI-powered apps make it easy to fix scratches and other flaws in old or damaged photos. These tools use smart algorithms to automatically detect and repair issues like tears, stains, and fading, helping restore images to their original quality with minimal effort.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most effective apps:
VanceAI stands out for removing scratches, tears, and sepia discoloration. It also improves facial features and brings back natural-looking colors in old photos.
Picsart’s enhancer tool restores old images by clearing up scratches, sharpening blurry spots, and correcting faded colors—all in one click.
Nero’s AI tool repairs surface damage, sharpens blurred areas, and refreshes the overall color quality of aged photos.
YouCam makes scratch removal quick and simple. With just a tap, it cleans up damaged areas and helps photos look like new.
Imglarger uses advanced AI to restore lost details, adjust brightness, and improve the overall look of your photo.
These apps are ideal for anyone looking to bring old or damaged photos back to life—no advanced editing skills needed.
Let’s explore how AI specifically changes the game.
AI simplifies the process of removing scratches from photos by using smart image analysis and automated repair techniques. Instead of manually editing every flaw, AI tools can scan an image, detect imperfections like scratches, tears, or stains, and intelligently fill in those areas with matching details—restoring the photo’s original look.
Here’s how AI works in scratch removal:
AI models are trained to recognize common types of photo damage, such as:
By analyzing patterns and textures, AI can pinpoint the exact areas that need fixing without affecting the rest of the image.
Once damage is detected, AI uses content-aware algorithms to rebuild missing or damaged pixels. These algorithms study the surrounding areas and replicate similar textures, colors, and lighting to seamlessly fill in the scratches. This makes the repaired sections blend naturally into the photo.
Advanced AI tools don’t just patch over flaws—they also work to maintain facial features, background elements, and fine details. Many apps include enhancement layers that improve sharpness, restore natural colors, and reduce blur during the scratch removal process.
What once took hours in manual editing can now be done in seconds. Most AI-powered tools offer one-tap or automatic scratch removal, making them accessible even to beginners. You don’t need editing experience to get professional-looking results.
The more images AI processes, the smarter it becomes. Ongoing training with large image datasets helps AI tools improve over time, leading to more accurate, realistic restorations—even for heavily damaged photos.
Now, let’s talk about when to use manual vs. automatic approaches.
When it comes to scratches removal from photos, you have two main options: manual editing or automatic AI-powered tools. Both methods aim to restore damaged images, but they differ in approach, skill level, and time investment.
Manual removal gives you full control and precision, while automatic tools use smart technology to repair scratches quickly with minimal effort. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each method can help you choose the best solution based on your photo’s condition, your experience, and the results you want to achieve.
Choosing between manual and automatic methods depends on the type of photo, extent of damage, and your skill level.
For important archival images, manual editing often gives better results. For social media or casual sharing, AI tools do the job in seconds.
Let’s now look at specific use cases.
There are situations where DIY solutions may not deliver the results you need:
In these cases, professional photo retouchers combine Photoshop with advanced techniques (like frequency separation or pixel-level retouching).
Hiring a professional ensures a high-fidelity restoration that preserves visual integrity — especially for historic or sentimental images.
That said, knowing how to prepare your photo helps even pros.
To get your photos ready for scratch removal, start by carefully cleaning the image and scanning it at a high resolution—ideally 300 DPI or higher. Save the file in a high-quality format like PNG or TIFF to preserve detail. Once the image is digitized, you can use editing software or AI tools to repair scratches and restore the photo.
1. Clean the Photo GentlyLocate your photo and remove any dust or debris using a soft cloth or brush. Keep it flat to avoid bending or distortion when scanning.
2. Scan at High ResolutionUse a flatbed scanner or a smartphone with a scanning app (like iPhone’s Notes or Google Photos on Android). Always scan at a minimum of 300 DPI to capture fine details.
3. Save in a Lossless FormatChoose formats like PNG or TIFF to maintain image quality during editing and saving.
4. Restore DigitallyUse photo editing software or AI-based restoration apps:
This process helps ensure your photo is clean, sharp, and ready for digital repair.tion.
Now, let’s make sure the final result is ready for sharing or archiving.
To save and export a restored photo, make sure the editing is complete—whether you’ve used software or an online tool. Once you’re satisfied with the results, you can save the photo to your device or export it to other storage options like the cloud, a USB drive, or even prepare it for printing.
Here’s how to do it step by step:
1. Save the Restored Photo to Your Device
2. Export to Other Storage Options
3. Pick the Right File Format
Saving and exporting your photo correctly ensures you preserve your restoration work and makes it easy to access or share across different platforms.
You’ve now completed the scratch removal process and preserved your image for years to come.
Fixing scratches doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right tools and steps, scratches removal from photo becomes a manageable, even enjoyable task.
Whether you’re restoring personal memories or archiving historic images, today’s methods — from manual edits to AI-powered tools — offer something for everyone.
Yes, digital tools like Photoshop, Snapseed, and AI apps can effectively remove scratches from scanned or digital images.
Using an AI photo restoration app like Remini or Snapseed’s Healing tool is the simplest approach for most users.
Scanning is better because it offers higher resolution and consistency, which is critical for detailed restoration work.
Yes. Use tools that support both scratch removal and color correction — Photoshop and AI-based platforms can handle both.
Yes, once a photo is retouched and saved, the scratches are removed from that digital version permanently — though always keep a backup.
This page was last edited on 25 June 2025, at 5:43 pm
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