Scar Revision
If you have significant acne scarring, or other visible scars on your face or body, scar revision is a safe and effective medical or surgical dermatology treatment aimed at reducing the appearance of scars.
Understanding what causes scarring and how scar revision works can help you feel more comfortable and confident about pursuing scar revision surgery.
What Causes Scarring?
Scarring refers to the raised, discolored, or unevenly textured skin tissue that remains after a wound heals. Many people have scarring as a result of acne or other skin conditions that cause the skin to crack and bleed.
Scarring is also a result of surgery. The more invasive the procedure, the more visible the scar will likely be. Scarring is also common after deep cuts or other injuries where the skin has been broken.
While it is true that some scarring happens as a result of improper wound care or interrupted healing, not all scarring can be prevented. And scarring doesn’t always mean your skin care or wound care is inappropriate.
Your doctor and dermatologist can let you know what to expect regarding scarring, and how to best avoid infection and exaggerated scarring after a wound or surgery.
How Does Scar Revision Work?
The scar revision procedure or treatment your dermatologist recommends depends on the severity of your scarring, the type of scarring you have, and any existing skin conditions or other medical conditions for which you are being treated.
You can sometimes revise and improve scarring with topical treatments like gels and creams. It is important to follow all recommended steps to achieve best results.
Dermal fillers are another option, depending on the size and shape of your scar. Dermal fillers are injected into the skin to smooth and fill out its appearance, which often reduces the appearance of scarring in the treated area.
Chemical peels may help reduce scarring as the top layers of skin are removed during the peel. Similarly, dermabrasion relies on mechanical exfoliation of the skin to help scars appear less prominent.
For more visible and significant scarring, your dermatologist may recommend scar revision surgery. In this case the scarred tissue is surgically removed, after which the skin is closed with absorbable sutures, resulting in a smoother appearance.
Am I a Good Candidate for Scar Revision Surgery?
Many people with scarring are great candidates for scar revision surgery. Scar revision surgery is viable option if:
- You don’t have existing acne or other skin disease on or around the area where you’d like to minimize scarring
- You are a nonsmoker
In general, a positive outlook and a good bill of health will ensure your scar revision goes smoothly. You should always disclose all medications you are taking, as well as all illnesses, allergies, and existing skin conditions and treatments to your dermatologist before opting for scar revision.
Don’t wonder if you might benefit from scar revision surgery. Get answers about the best possible treatments and procedures to restore and improve the appearance of your skin.
Make an appointment with North Pacific Dermatology today.