Scar Management

Consultation

During your consultation, you can share your concerns with the doctor and learn about the treatment options. The doctor will examine the scar and review your medical history to establish if a surgery is the right way to achieve your goals. In addition, the doctor will evaluate and analyze the size, shape and location of the scar and then discuss the treatment options.

While some types of scars such as keloids can be treated using alternative options, the surgery is often an ideal choice for facial scars, hypertrophic scars and contractures. You can expect a thorough explanation from the doctor regarding results and recovery with the treatment.

Surgery

A scar revision or removal surgery is performed under local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia and it generally takes 1 to 2 hours depending on the shape, size and location of the scar. There are different techniques for scar revision surgery and the usage of it depends on your scar and expectation.

• Skin Grafts and Skin Flaps: Skin grafting involves removing healthy tissue from one part of the body and attaching it over the damaged skin. Skin flaps are like skin grafts, but the section of skin used has its own blood supply.
• Z-Plasty: This procedure is used to revise more serious scars. A surgeon cuts along either side of the scar and creates angled flaps that can reposition or change scar direction, interrupt scar tension and make the scar less visible.
• Tissue Expansion: Tissue expansion helps the body grow additional skin to cover a scar. An inflatable balloon is placed under the skin near the scar site and gradually stretches the skin. The extra skin tissue is used for the procedure.

Post Surgery

Post-surgery, you may have some redness, swelling or pain for close to two weeks but all this will be part of the healing. While the complete healing may take up to one year, the new scar slowly fades and shrinks from the second weeks itself to visible results. You should also note that no scar can be removed completely, and the level of improvement relies on many factors including the quality of skin and the type of care for the wound after the surgery.

After Care

In order to have successful long-lasting results it is important to follow the below:

• You should avoid exposing the scar to direct sunlight.
• Avoid putting stress on your wound.
• Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water to achieve a quicker rate of healing.
• Avoid smoking at least two weeks before and after the surgery.
• It is important to attend the follow-up appointments with your doctor to keep your track of your progress.