Don’t Live with Surgery Scars – Scar Revision Secrets

Once a wound begins to heal, tissue will start to grow over it in order to protect the wound and replace the skin that has been damaged. In many cases, this can also lead to the development of a scar. While some people are not bothered by the formation of a scar, there are others who want to reduce or eliminate the appearance of a scar, so they are not reminded of the wound. Scar revision surgery is able to reduce the look of a scar as well as restore some of the function or range of motion to the targeted area on the body that might have been lost due to the formation of the scar. An experienced surgeon will also keep the tone and color of the skin in mind to make sure the final results match the surrounding area of skin.

Scar Revision Treatment Options

• A corticosteroid injection into a scar is an ideal option for certain kinds of scars and they include keloid and hypertrophic scars.
• Laser treatment can resurface the appearance of some scars and make them less noticeable by providing a flatter and smoother look.
• There are additional resurfacing procedures that can help scars that are already flat gain a better look. Some of the most popular resurfacing procedures include a chemical peel and microdermabrasion.
• Microneedling is when a device with small needles is rolled over the skin. The needle will prick the skin, so the growth of collagen is stimulated for a smoother look. This is an ideal treatment option for improving the look of acne scars.
• Dermal fillers can “lift” scars and make them less noticeable compared with the rest of the skin that does not have a car.
• A surgical procedure to reduce the look of a scar involves making an incision in the skin and removing the entire scar. The area where the incision was made is then closed with sutures or a skin graft will be performed where a piece of skin is taken from another part of the body to replace the removed skin. Some scar types that can be surgically removed include hypertrophic scars (wide or thick raised scars), keloid scars (smooth and hard fibrous scar tissue) and contractures (a stiff scar that can restrict the movement of the muscles and joints in the impacted area). A plastic surgery procedure to treat scars can be performed on multiple parts of the body including the face, legs, neck, and arms.
• A Z-plasty is when the surgeon moves or redirects the lines of the scar in order to make the scar less noticeable. This procedure can help to “break up” a scar so it is less visible, and it can also help to relax a tighter scar.

Possible Risks of Scar Revision Surgery

Some of the possible risks of surgical scar revision include:

• Not achieving the desired results
• Skin discoloration
• Numbness
• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Infection
• Improper healing
• Need for additional surgery to eliminate or reduce the scar

How to Prepare for Scar Revision Surgery

The first step in planning for scar revision surgery is scheduling a consultation appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist who is experienced in revising the appearance of multiple types of scars on the body.

The surgeon will examine the scar to accurately assess its size, depth, and severity. Some of the characteristics of the scar that will be examined include its thickness, color, and contour.

The doctor will also discuss both surgical and nonsurgical options and share the benefits and risks of each choice. Finally, realistic expectations will be set so the patient will have an accurate idea of what to expect for the final results.

Scar Revision Surgery Recovery

The scar revision surgery recovery process depends on the extent of the surgery performed by the doctor. In general, the doctor will advise patients to avoid putting any type of stress or strain on the wound for a few days (or weeks) in order to make the healing process easier on the treated area.

There will be some swelling and bruising around the treated area for a week or two after the surgery. It is important to monitor the impacted area to make sure it is healing properly. Patients should be sure and contact their surgeon if the swelling does not resolve on its own.

Protecting the skin after surgery is a crucial step in the healing process. The act of protecting the skin includes wearing protecting clothing or sunscreen when it is necessary to go outside for an extended period of time.

It is also important to be patient when it comes to the healing process of surgical or nonsurgical scar revision. Depending on the type of procedure performed by the doctor, it can take several weeks or months to see the final results. There could be some regularly scheduled follow-up appointments with the doctor, and this is the perfect time to address any issues or concerns with the scar revision healing process.

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- MA