Scar revision is performed to improve the appearance of scars caused by injury or previous surgery. While most scars fade over time, many patients experience disruptions to the healing process that cause scars to become red, raised, indented, or otherwise noticeable.
Many patients are unhappy and embarrassed by the appearance of these scars, especially when they are located in apparent areas, and seek treatment to improve them. We provide comprehensive scar revision services to help patients achieve smooth, clear skin that they no longer have to be ashamed of.
Types of Scars
There are several different types of scars, depending on the severity and mechanism of the injury, as well as the patient’s age, overall health and individual healing properties.
- Hypertrophic scars are red, raised scars filled with excessive amounts of collagen that may be itchy or slightly painful. They are considered harmless and do not grow beyond the boundaries of the initial wound.
- Keloids are overgrown areas of scar tissue that appear as irregularly-shaped, raised, pink, or red areas that may continue to grow over time. While they can occur anywhere on the body, they are most common on the face, neck, ears, chest, or shoulders.
- Contractures are more severe scars that restrict movement as a result of the tissue in the area pulling together during the healing process. This type of scar most commonly occurs after large amounts of tissue loss or in wounds that occur on a joint.
Procedure
Scars are by definition permanent, but certain treatments can narrow, fade and otherwise reduce the appearance of severe or unattractive scarring, which is especially helpful in areas of cosmetic importance such as the face and neck. There are many surgical methods of scar revision, only some of which may be appropriate for a particular type of scar or its location. These include surgical excision, skin grafts, flap surgery, Z-plasty and others.
The best procedure for each patient will vary depending on the location and severity of the scar, as well as the age, overall health and extent of revision desired by the patient. Dr. Knott or Dr. Park will develop a personalized treatment for you after a thorough evaluation of your scar.
- Excision — Surgical excision is most often used for severe contracture scars and involves making an incision to surgically remove the scar and surrounding damaged tissue. A skin flap or graft may be used to restore the appearance of the skin in the treated area and also improve movement and flexibility that may have been affected by the contracture.
- Geometric Broken Line Closure — Particularly difficult are scars located in the middle of the cheek, chin, or forehead. The human eye perceives these, if there is no local crease, as a shadow or wrinkle and distracts the gaze. A geometric broken line closure or W-plasty enables Dr. Knott or Dr. Park to disguise the course of the scar so that it is much more difficult to notice.
- Steroid Injections — Many scars are characterized by an abundance of poorly organized collagen fibers. The collagen makes the scars feel firm and tough. Steroid injections may soften up these areas of toughness and smooth out irregular or puffy areas.
- Laser Treatments — Similar to surface treatments, laser treatments gently remove the damaged layers of skin to reveal new, restored skin underneath while also stimulating collagen production for further gradual improvements. The precise technology used during laser treatments ensures that only damaged tissue is treated while healthy surrounding tissue remains intact. Our doctors use the most advanced, state-of-the-art laser technology available to ensure safe and effective scar treatment in even the most prominent and sensitive areas.
- Fillers — Dermal fillers can be quite successful at “filling in” depressed scars and creating a smoother skin surface. Fillers are FDA-approved and safe for use by most patients. Many of the fillers are made from substances found naturally in the body or synthetically made to mimic natural substances or stimulate collagen production. Fillers are injected directly into the skin of the targeted area to restore volume to the scar and reduce its appearance.
Recovery
Most of these treatments are minimally invasive and do not require any downtime. Patients may experience mild swelling, discoloration, and discomfort in the treated area for one to two weeks, but will likely experience immediate, noticeable results and no longer have to worry about the appearance of their scar. Full results may take several months to appear and are usually long-lasting.
The effectiveness of scar reduction depends on a number of factors including the nature of the injury, your body’s healing mechanism, the size and depth of the wound, and the thickness and color of your skin.
To learn more about scar revision and whether or not this procedure is right for you, please call us today to schedule a consultation.