What can scar revision do for you?
Having an unwanted scar can be bothersome, Scar revision is a procedure that is done to improve or minimize the appearance of the scar. Any time there is an incision or cut in the skin, there will be a scar. But many variables can affect the severity of scarring, including the size and depth of the wound, the thickness and color of one's skin, the direction of the scar, location, and the blood supply of the area. Scar revision is a means to make the scar look better or less visible.
While early care and closure in the emergency room is highly important, permanent scarring that results can be difficult to live with and leave one feeling self-conscious about their facial appearance. Patients typically seek revision when a scar is wide, red, raised, sunken, or is distorting certain parts of their face, such as the eyes or lips.
Such scars typically result from accidents, burns and injuries but can also come from acne or certain surgical procedures. As dual board-certified facial plastic surgeons, Drs. Thompson, Henstrom, and Manning are all highly experienced with scar revision in all skin types. By employing an individualized approach to treatment, our surgeons can dramatically improve the appearance of scarring and provide you with an increased level of self-confidence.
Is scar revision treatment right for you?
During your consultation to discuss concerns and determine whether or not you are a good candidate for scar revision treatment. Your surgeon will perform a thorough examination and review your medical history at that time as well. He will then discuss possible treatment options for scar revision that will best help you achieve the best outcome possible.
It’s important to remember that it’s typically best to wait at least one year from the date of injury to allow the body enough time to heal. That is when our surgeons can best determine treatment options for revision and provide realistic expectations.
What treatments are available for scar revision?
Different types of scars respond to different treatments.
Z-Plasty
There are many other techniques our surgeons employ for various facial scars. including z-plasty, which is essentially moving the scar from one area to another, usually in a natural fold or crease, to make it less visible. Skin graft or flap surgery involves taking healthy skin adjacent to the wound, or from an entirely different part of the body, and covering the injured area. Surgery is successful when new blood vessels and scar tissue form in the injured area.
Skin Rejuvenation
Dermabrasion, skin rejuvenation, and/or our fractional CO2 laser are all ablative techniques that work to reduce the visibility of scars by resurfacing the area and make “rough or elevated” scars less prominent. Such techniques work very well for acne scarring among other types of scars.
Juvederm or Restylane
Also a beneficial option for acne scars is dermal fillers like Juvederm or Restylane. Injectables can add volume under the skin to lift and smooth out pitted acne scars to the level of the surrounding skin.
Because scars are highly individualistic, more than one procedure and/or technique may be employed to provide maximum improvement. Recovery time will vary depending on your treatment plan and can be further discussed at your initial consultation with one of our surgeons.
What our patients have to say
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What are Keloids?
Keloid scars result from the overproduction of collagen and tend to grow beyond the edges of the wound or incision. Hypertrophic scars, on the other hand, do not grow beyond the edges of the would but are thick, raised, and may also restrict certain facial expressions.
What are steroid injections?
Both hypertrophic and keloid scars can often be treated with steroid injections alone. The process may take up to a year with a series of injections during that time frame. If they do not heal on their own through steroid injections, our surgeons will often remove the excess scar tissue surgically and may reposition the incision so it heals in a less noticeable pattern.
Do steroid injections require anesthesia?
This is typically done in-office under local anesthetic and is considered a minor outpatient procedure.
You may also receive steroid injections during surgery and post-surgery in certain intervals for up to two years following initial treatment. This will help prevent the scar from reforming, though keloids have a tendency to recur and may even come back larger in size.
Scar Revision Results
Contact Us Today!
Interested in getting scar revision treatment in Salt Lake City, Draper, Layton, Utah and the surrounding areas? Contact Utah Facial Plastics for more information or to schedule an appointment call 801.776.2220 or fill out our contact form.