Overview
The Lubbock Plastic Surgery Institute offers scar revision surgery to treat cuts, burns, abrasions, and other scars that are still visible or physically unattractive after natural healing. There are different types of scar revision surgery (including laser surgery, injections, or skin grafts) and the type will depend on the severity of the scarring and the body’s response to the injury. While all scars are permanent, scar revision surgery may help conceal it and improve its overall appearance. Some scarring may naturally decrease over time so patients should wait for a year or more before deciding to undergo scar revision. The scar’s severity depends on the way the patient’s body heals itself, how it responds to injury, and how severe the injury was that caused the scar in the first place. Other variables, including the size and depth of the wound, the blood supply to the area, the thickness and color of the skin, and the direction of the scar can also affect severity. Anyone considering scar revision surgery should schedule a consultation with Dr. Schmid or Dr. Mooty at one of their West Texas offices, Lubbock or Midland, so the surgeon can examine the scar and determine which treatment or treatments are best for their situation.
Reviews
Types of Scars
There are various methods available to treat unsightly scars, but it helps to first understand the different kinds of scars.
- Superficial scars are the most subtle type of scars. They do not cause any issue other than an unsightly appearance.
- Keloid scars are larger, painful scars, which are often discolored and tend to extend beyond the edges of a wound.
- A hypertropic scar does not extend beyond the wound, but it continues to become larger, thicker, and more painful over time.
- A contracture scar develops over a larger section of skin creating a tight feel and impairing one’s ability to move. A severe burn is an example of this.
Surgical Technique
Scar revision treatment will be chosen based on the scar’s location, type, size and overall extent. There are various techniques to consider.
Shave Excision
For scars that are raised, a shave excision may be performed to remove the top of the scar and even-out the surface with the rest of the skin. This creates a smoother, flatter appearance. During the procedure, a surgical shaver is used to slowly shave off the raised portion of the scar. Sutures are not needed in most shave excision cases.
Scar Removal/Modification
This is also a technique used for raised scars. It can be accomplished a couple of different ways. First, is the elliptical removal pattern. This involves removing the scar as well as an edging (ellipse) of skin encompassing the scar so a clean enclosure can be made. The sutures may be placed on the inside or outside of the skin. Sometimes a scar exists because the incision was closed poorly. By reopening the scar and resuturing the skin in a different direction, the new scar can be minimized.
Skin Grafting/Tissue Expansion
Large scars may require a skin graft (skin taken from another area on the body) to close the wound once the scar has been removed. Carefully placed sutures will be used around the graft to close and blend the skin together for healing. If a skin graft will not be used, tissue expansion may be used instead. During this process, a tissue expander will be placed under the skin where the scar resides and filled with a sterile solution. Once the expansion process is complete, the surgeon will stretch and join the edges together and place sutures carefully into the tissue wall.
Injectable Treatments
Scars that are depressed or concave may benefit from a filler material known as injectable derma filler. There are a wide variety of fillers on the cosmetic surgery market that may be considered. Collagen is a common filler used for scar revision. During the procedure, the injectable material will be injected into the skin through a syringe. The surgeon may manipulate the outside of the skin to help shape the surface accordingly.
Surface Treatments
Some scars can be treated with a series of skin rejuvenation treatments, which can soften the surface of the skin, smooth out uneven scarring, reduce uneven pigmentation and lighten the skin where needed. Some scars may even become non-existent because of the skin removal mechanism. Skin surface treatments include laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, dermabrasion and skin bleaching.
During/After Surgery
All scar revision procedures are performed in an accredited surgical facility. Some procedures will require general anesthesia, but most will only need local anesthesia. Following this procedure, patients will need to adhere to a daily scar treatment regime so the wound site and new scar can heal. It is important to protect this area of skin from sun exposure to avoid any further skin discoloration. While this treatment does not fully eliminate a scar, the visible imperfections are certainly minimized. Most patients feel more confident exposing the section of skin where the unsightly scar once resided.
