Enhancing Your Appearance with Scar Revision Surgery
Monday, October 31st, 2011, 2:51 pmA scar is a visible sign that remains after an injury or surgery wound has healed. Scars that are obvious or unsightly are usually a sign of a poorly healed scar. However, even a wound that heals properly can result in a scar that affects your appearance.
All scars are different in size, shape and location depending on the cause of the wound. They may be raised or recessed and different in color or texture from the surrounding healthy tissue. Depending on the degree and severity of the wound, treatment options can include simple topical treatments, minimally invasive procedures or surgical revision with advanced techniques. All serve one purpose – to minimize the scar so that it is more consistent with your surrounding skin tone and texture.
As mentioned above, all scars vary in size, shape and location. There are many different types of scars so let’s walk through some. Discoloration and surface irregularities are more subtle scars that can be cosmetically improved by surgery or treatment. These type of scars do not impair function nor do they cause physical discomfort. Usually, they are caused by acne, minor injury and prior surgical incisions.
Hypertropic scars are thick clusters of scar tissue that develop directly on a wound site. They are often raised, red and uncomfortable. Overtime, they may become wider and be darker or lighter in color. Keloids are larger than hypertropic scars. They can be painful, itchy and may pucker and extend beyond the edges of an original wound or incision. Keloids can occur anywhere on your body but they usually develop more commonly where there is little underlying fatty tissue – face, neck, ears, shoulders or chest.
Contractures are scars that restrict movement due to skin and underlying tissue that pull together during healing. They occur when there is a large amount of tissue loss – such as after a burn. They can form where a wound crosses a joint, restricting movement of the fingers, elbow, knees or neck.
Depending on the severity, type, size and location of your scar, your surgeon will determine the appropriate technique and will also determine the degree of improvement that can be achieved. In some cases, a single technique may provide significant improvement. Topical treatments (gels, tapes, external compression) can help with wound closure and healing and may be used to treat existing surface scars and discoloration. Injectable treatments are often used to fill depressed or concave scars. These results can last from several months to several years.
Surface treatments are most often used for cosmetic improvement of scars and are a controlled means of either mechanically removing the top layers of skin or changing the nature of the tissue. These methods can soften surface irregularities and reduce uneven pigmentation. These include dermabrasion, laser or light therapy, chemical peel solutions and skin bleaching techniques. Sometimes for deep scars an incision is needed to surgically remove the old scar.
The results of scar revision are long lasting; however, it may take several months for your final results to become apparent and may take a year for the new scar to fully heal and fade. Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions regarding scar revision.
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