What is Scar Revision Surgery?
Scar revision is a surgical technique performed by plastic surgeons that can greatly diminish the appearance of many scars. The procedure essentially replaces an unsightly scar with a less noticeable scar. If you exhibit scars due to injury or previous surgery, a scar revision with Dr. Hunsicker may be right for you.
How We Perform Scar Revision
Based on the type of scar you exhibit, the doctor may perform a variety of scar revision procedures. If you exhibit a raised scar, the doctor may gradually shave down the elevated tissue or use certain laser techniques to match the surrounding skin.
Excision
In a fusiform excision surgery, the doctor will make an ellipses-shaped incision around the scar and remove the tissue. In a partial or serial excision surgery, the doctor will make an elliptical incision as noted, but may not be able to entirely remove the scar in one procedure. Follow-ups may be necessary.
Local Flap
A local flap surgery is performed when the surrounding skin can be used to cover the scarred area of skin. Using a Z- or W-shaped incision, the doctor can break up the scar, restoring function and limiting its noticeability.
Grafts
Small, round, and depressed scars may be repaired with a skin graft. In this surgery, the doctor will take skin from a donor site on your body, and use it to raise the scarred area to be level with the surrounding tissue. For some of these procedures, such as local flap surgery, the doctor may perform tissue expansion techniques, which help the skin to adequately stretch in order to make reconstruction possible.
FAQ
You may be an ideal candidate for scar revision if you are a healthy nonsmoker, which will aid in proper skin healing post-surgery. If Dr. Hunsicker recommends excisional scar revision, the procedure may not be completed sooner than six months following the formation of the scar. In some cases, you may benefit from less invasive laser procedures or injection treatments to diminish a scar.
Though scar revision does not technically remove a scar, it is a technique that effectively replaces one unsightly scar with another that has an improved aesthetic appearance. It is not possible to fully restore the skin to its appearance prior to the formation of the scar, but the procedure can have a positive cosmetic and emotional impact on the patient.
Following scar revision, your skin may feel tight and you may experience swelling and pain, which may be managed with medication. The surgery site will be covered with a dressing and you may need to change it to keep it fresh.
Learn More About Scar Revision in South Denver
Dr. Lisa M. Hunsicker has been practicing medicine since 1995. Since 2001, Revalla Plastic Surgery of South Denver has been providing patients with excellent, individualized cosmetic surgery results. We encourage you to call us for a personal consultation with Dr. Hunsicker. Contact us at 720.283.2500 or online to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hunsicker. Together, you can determine if you are a good candidate for scar revision.