The Magic of Scar Removal Surgery

February 24th, 2017 | Posted in: Beauty Tips | Tags: scar removal

They say that scars are testaments of the battles that we have faced throughout our lives. Scars are also visible remnants of a physical wound that has healed. Getting scars is unavoidable. We get them as a result of an injury on the skin. Our body has a natural way of healing injuries, but if your body is unable to heal fast, it may result in unsightly scars. Moreover, they can be a cause of a lot of insecurities, especially if they are located in an obvious place.

While scars can make you feel insecure, there are things that you can do to minimize the unsightly appearance of scars. Conventional methods include massaging the scarred area with cocoa butter, applying topical cortisone drugs, laser resurfacing, collagen implantation, and silicone pressure therapy. The thing is that no scar can be completely removed, but there are ways to improve the appearance of scars.

However, if you have problematic scars like keloids, it cannot be easily remedied by the treatments mentioned above. You need a more advanced cosmetic solution to your problem. One of the best treatments available now is the scar revision surgery.

What Is Scar Revision Surgery?

This type of cosmetic surgical procedure is available to patients who have scars due to injury or surgery. The scars that are good candidates for this surgery are those that are noticeable because they are either protruding or depressed.  This procedure is used so that the scarred tissue is restored in terms of form as well as function.

The scar revision surgery involves excising the scar under local anesthetic or sedation. Once the scar removal is complete, the skin around the affected area is pulled together then re-sutured so that it will look good as new. Cosmetic surgeons offer different treatment approaches for the scar revision surgery. Your surgeon will need to assess the scar to determine which option will work for you. Below are the types of options you have.

• Z-plasty: This is a type of surgical technique that repositions the scar so that it conforms to the natural lines of the skin, thereby making it look less obvious. This technique can also help reduce the tension caused by the contracture or stiffness caused by the scar.  For this procedure, the scar is excised then new incisions are created to make triangular flaps on the skin. The flaps are then rearranged to cover the wound in different angles thus resulting in a Z-pattern—whereit got its name. The fine stitches used to restructure the skin are removed after a few days. It is important to take note that it will not really make the scar go away especially those that are located along the lines of relaxation.  Moreover, the shape of the scar determines whether the scar is qualified for the Z-plasty or not.
• Flap surgery: Also called skin grafting, the flap surgery is done for more serious and complicated scars. This procedure is often performed in the hospital using general anesthesia. This procedure involves the transfer of skin from another part of the body to cover the injured area. The graft can take up new blood vessels from the injured area. The downside to this procedure is that it may leave scarring on the donor area while the recipient (scarred) area may not match in terms of color and texture to the surrounding skin.
• Tissue expansion: For this particular procedure, a balloon-like device is inserted under the healthy skin near the scar. The balloon is then filled with a saline solution to stretch the skin until it covers the scarred area. This procedure can take several weeks. Once the skin has stretched, the tissue expander can be surgically removed. The stretched skin is pulled over on the scarred area before it is surgically closed.

Secrets to Success of Scar Revision Surgery

There are many factors that can affect the severity of scars which include the depth and size of the wound. Other factors also include the blood supply to the affected area, color, direction of the scar, and tension.

To be able to qualify for the scar removal surgery, you need to be in good health. For faster healing of the scar, it is important that the affected area should have a good blood supply. Post-operative care should also be done on the scar to improve the healing progress.

Choosing the Best Plastic Surgeon

If you are considering having scar removal surgery, then you should first consult with a qualified plastic surgeon. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Chiu and Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery today, so that he can help you make the right choice when it comes to your plastic surgery needs.