Scar Revision

A scar can be due to any surgical procedure done earlier, acne, burns, or chickenpox which does not often look good. People are highly conscious of their visible scars and in fact, it also affects their self-confidence in them.

Scar Revision is a surgery that helps improve or reduce the appearance of scars. This surgery also restores functions and corrects skin changes (disfigurement) resulting from any injury, wound, or previous surgery. Scar treatments usually do not guarantee 100 percent removal of the scar, but reduce and improve the skin and its tone to the appreciable extent. It reduces skin stiffness caused by wounded tissues. Moreover, the improvement highly depends upon the colour and the type of skin, age, and kind of scarring influence.

When should you get scar revision?

Each scar is different. Some scars shrink and become less visible as they age. Surgery should be performed when they become light in colour. It can be several months or even a year after the wound has healed. For some scars, it is best to have revision surgery, 2 to 3 months after the scar matures or longer.

Procedure

Scar revision treatment usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour to complete. It is performed under local anaesthesia where the patient is completely conscious, keeping the area entirely numb. In some cases, the treatment can also be performed under general anaesthesia where the patient is unconscious during the entire process.

There are several ways to improve the appearance of scars:

• The scar may be removed completely and the new wound closed very carefully.
• Scar massage and pressure therapy, such as silicone strips.
• Dermabrasion involves removing the upper layers of the skin with a special wire brush called a burr or fraise. New skin grows over this area. Dermabrasion can be used to soften the surface of the skin or reduce irregularities.
• A laser may be used to soften the surface of the scar, and stimulate new collagen growth within the scar.
• Very large injuries (such as burns) can cause loss of a large area of skin and may form hypertrophic scars. These types of scars can restrict the movement of muscles, joints, and tendons (contracture). Surgery removes extra scar tissue. It may involve a series of small cuts (incisions) on both sides of the scar site, which create V-shaped skin flaps (Z-plasty). The result is a thin, less noticeable scar, because a Z-plasty may re-orient the scar so that it more closely follows the natural skin folds and releases tightness in the scar, but lengthens the scar during the process.
• Skin grafting involves taking a thin layer of skin from another part of the body and placing it over the injured area. Skin flap surgery involves moving an entire, full thickness of skin, fat, nerves, blood vessels, and muscle from a healthy part of the body to the injured site. These techniques are used when a large amount of skin has been lost in the original injury, when a thin scar will not heal, and when the main concern is improved function rather than improved appearance.
• Tissue expansion is used for breast reconstruction. It is also used for skin that has been damaged due to birth defects and injuries. A silicone balloon is inserted beneath the skin and gradually filled with salt water. This stretches the skin, which grows over time.
• Vitiligo / White patch is a social stigma in our society. White patches caused by Vitiligo can be hideous and makes the skin unsightly. It can affect any area of the skin and develop white patches on the body. Vitiligo patches that are static and not responding to medical treatment can be removed by local flaps skin graft, melanocyte transfer technique.

While getting the Scar Revision treatment at our clinic, we utilize the best quality tools and exclusive procedures, our specialist ensures satisfaction to our patients.