All You Need to Know About a Scar Revision Surgery

Worried about scars? You’re not alone.

Many people are affected by scars every day, but there is hope. Scar revision surgery can help improve the appearance and function of your scar.

If you’re considering revision scar surgery, this article is for you. We’ll discuss what scar revision surgery is and the types of scars that may need revision surgery.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about scar revision surgery.

What is a Scar Revision Surgery?

Scar revision surgery is designed to help address issues with the appearance and restrictions a scar may cause.

Though it is impossible to remove a scar entirely, plastic surgeons have the know-how and experience to help alter the scar’s appearance to create a more cosmetically pleasing result while boosting a patient’s self-confidence.

With scar revision, surgeons can also help reduce restrictions some scars may cause on body movements or improve the itchiness that certain scars may cause.

Ultimately, plastic surgeons consider this procedure an advantageous investment for patients looking to make a difference in the appearance of their bodies.

Type of Scars Needing Scar Revision and Their Treatments

1. Keloids

Keloids can undoubtedly be an unwelcome presence to the appearance of the skin. Sometimes referred to as raised scars, a Keloid is more than just a scar; instead, it is a nodule or cluster of abnormal, thickened, and sometimes pigmented scar tissue that develops from an overly aggressive healing process on otherwise normal skin.

It appears after a wound has healed, often appearing redder or darker than the surrounding area – and more commonly seen in people with darker skin tones.

This can occur up to one year after the initial injury and is believed to be formed due to increased cellular activity at the site where connective tissue fibroblasts grow excessively.

Those affected by Keloids have various treatment options available to help better manage their symptoms and drastically reduce any visible impact it could have on their overall appearance.

When treating keloids, no single treatment fully resolves all scars. Plastic surgeons must employ a host of variables to provide the best results.

Cryotherapy is a popular option that freezes the scar away.

Pressure therapy involves applying external pressure over time, such as with a constructed fabric appliance worn for several months. This can be laborious and tiring for some patients, but with commitment, it is often successful when done diligently.

Surgery is the last resort for challenging keloid scars and may be used to remove the affected area directly. Here surgeons make an incision and remove the scar tissue itself where other options are not available or can produce desired results.

2. Hypertrophic scars

Hypertrophic scars are similar in many ways to keloid scars, though they remain within the area of the original skin defect.

They’re typically raised, thick, and may appear red. Treatment typically begins within weeks after the injury is suffered and, in many cases, may improve over time – though it can take up to a year or more for improvement to occur naturally.

Plastic surgeons often start with steroid injections as a first-line treatment. These injections can be given through an injection or directly applied to the scarred area. Surgery is also an option if other treatments have been unsuccessful so far.

3. Contractures

Contracture scars are unfortunate normalcy after suffering large skin damage; without proper treatment, contractures can become permanent.

Fortunately, there are several surgical treatment options for these types of scars. Surgeons usually begin with an excision of the scar tissue to reduce the tension on the skin and then proceed with either a skin graft or skin flap to help stretch any remaining tissue tightness.

In some cases, if a more drastic result is needed, they perform what is called a tissue expansion to even out the contraction of the affected area.

This treatment utilizes saline-filled implants to gradually stretch the surrounding tissues until they match those of non-scarred areas. With any of these treatments, it is important to find a plastic surgeon experienced in repairing contractures for optimal results.