Scar Revision
Scars can be a distraction from your beautiful or handsome face, and they can detract from the healthy appearance of your skin. Fortunately, scars don’t have to be forever; scar revision treatment can effectively improve the appearance of your scars. No matter the type or location of your scar, there is a scar treatment that can restore more smooth, even skin.
The Benefits of Scar Revision
- Reduces the physical reminder of a previous injury
- Allows people to see you rather than your scar
- Increases your self-esteem and confidence
Scar Revision Expectations
CAN
Scar revision can improve the appearance of a scar while leaving a less obvious mark in its place. The techniques available can change the length, width, or shape of a scar, and they can raise depressed scars or lower elevated scars.
CANNOT
Unfortunately, no scar can be completely erased; there is no magic technique to return skin to its uninjured appearance. Although certain techniques may lighten dark scars, hyperpigmentation cannot be completely removed and will likely fade over time.
A scar’s color cannot be altered; it will likely fade with time, but some pigmentation will usually remain.
Scar Revision Techniques
Surgical Revision
- The scar is excised, and the normal skin is joined together
- Best suited for wide or long scars, those in prominent places, or those that have healed in an abnormal shape
- Can move scars into more favorable locations and shapes
- The muscle layers must be taken into account
Laser Resurfacing
- A high-energy light is used to burn away damaged skin
- Best suited for fine scars or minor irregularities of surface skin (surgical, acne, and chickenpox scars)
- Levels out irregularities in the surface of the skin
- May require several treatments for deep scars
Punch Graft
- A tiny instrument punches a hole to remove the scar tissue, and a small piece of normal skin (usually taken from the back of the earlobe) is used to replace it
- Best for deep acne scars
- Grafts may form minimal scars of their own, but they will level out depressions to provide a smooth skin surface
Chemical Peels
- A chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layer
- Best for depressed, superficial, or discolored scars
- Different chemical peels can be used for scars of differing depths and colors
Injectables
- A cortisone injection is administered that causes the scar to shrink and flatten
- Best for softening very firm scars (e.g., keloids) and smoothing raised scars
- One or more injections are administered to raise and smooth the scar
- Best for elevating sunken, soft scars
CORTISON SHOT
FILLERS
Cosmetics
- We encourage our patients to wear makeup after scar treatments
- Makeup application techniques can be demonstrated to adequately cover up scars
- Our mineralized makeup can also provide coverage to camouflage the appearance of scars as they heal after revision treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
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How will I know which treatment is right for me?
Each scar is different, so each requires a different approach. The most important step in the treatment of scars is the consultation between the patient and dermatologist. This consultation will allow us to evaluate your scar, find out what bothers you most about it, and determine the best treatment for your unique needs.
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Is scar revision treatment painful?
The amount of patient discomfort experienced during the procedure will depend on the technique used, but most treatments are not painful. Local anesthesia may be used to reduce discomfort.
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What is the recovery like after scar revision?
The recovery and length of downtime needed after scar revision will depend on the technique used and the amount of revision needed. Laser revision may require up to five days of downtime. Punch grafts are taped into place for five to seven days as they heal. Light peels require no healing time while deeper peels can require up to two weeks to heal. Cortisone and filler injections will provide immediate results, and patients can typically resume their normal activities right after treatment.
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What will my scar look like after treatment?
The revised scar will have improvements in size, shape, location, and smoothness compared to the original blemish. The new, inconspicuous mark will continue to heal and become even less noticeable over time.
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How much does scar revision treatment cost?
The total cost of the procedure will depend on the technique used and the amount of revision needed. During your consultation, we can give you an accurate cost based on your evaluation.
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