Scar Revision: What to know about this method

Scar Revision: What to know about this method?

Scars are an unnecessary reminder of something unpleasant that has happened to us. Apart from having an impact on our looks, these scars also have an extreme psychological impact on us, too.

Scars could become a reason for unwanted attention, especially those which seem prominent at first sight. Many people do not like the presence of one of their bodies and are constantly looking for solutions to get rid of it.

Scars could be a result of an injury, accident or due to surgery, you had gone through recently or many years ago among the most common reasons. Scarring occurs when multiple layers of skin and tissue are affected, and its presence on your body is a permanent fixture. A decade back or so, it would have difficult to remove these scars but with the advancement of technology scar removing plastic surgeries have become a method widely considered across many corners.

What is the procedure to remove scars?
Known simply as scar revision, plastic surgery is performed to improve the condition and appearance of the scar which could be anywhere on the body. There are different types, and for each of them, there is a particular procedure conducted. Scar revision surgery is to various degrees, ranging from simple topical treatments, minimally invasive procedures to operational changes with more advanced techniques. Despite the fact that these plastic surgery methods offer to provide a more pleasing result cosmetically in improving on the affected area, it does not completely erase the scar from the body but is likely to conceal it with minimal traces.

Are you ready for a scar revision just yet?
The scar revision plastic surgery is a procedure designed based on individual needs, meant for one’s own body. Of the many reasons, the primary focus remains on the appearance part, as scars at times could be the source of disturbance or one which brings the self-confidence in a person to its lowest possible point. But here are some ideal factors a patient must consider before going for the scar revision procedure and if you hold the following characteristics then you are ready for this
A scar in a part of your body that bothers you
You do not have any physical or health condition and are ideally a healthy person
You do not smoke
You go with a positive outlook and realistic goals for the results of your scar revision surgery
You do not have any skin related problems or ongoing diseases that may dampen this procedure to create further complications.

Scar revision steps
Anaesthesia – It is common for surgical procedures to induce the patient with a fixed dose of anaesthesia, ideally to create a comfort zone for the patient as well as the doctor to get the best result from the surgery. The common choices include local anaesthesia, intravenous sedation and general anaesthesia, dependent on your doctor/surgeon’s recommendations.

Treatment – The treatment which your doctor recommends depends on the severity of the scarring and the general type of the scar. Based on that sometimes only one technique is enough to correct the problems, but at times because of the complicated condition of the scar, the surgeon may recommend combination methods.

Understanding scar revision surgery:
Again, the surgery depends on the type of scar and the severity of it combined with the patient’s factors like skin type and other health factors. If the scar is contracture, then the entire scar tissue is removed through surgery. The adjacent, healthy skin which are unscarred (skin flaps) are lifted off and moved to the affected area.

When the above skin flap method is not possible, the method of skin graft could be used. In the grafting process, a section of skin tissue is taken from one area and attached into another. Following surgery, enough time needs to be given for new blood vessels and soft tissue to form in the affected area.

Z-plasty is another method. It involves moving the scar from one area to another, usually to minimise its general visibility. Although Z-plasty will not remove the sign of the scars entirely, it certainly will make it far less noticeable.

This is the picture of Cosmosure’s patient, before and after the scar removal surgery.

Post surgery
Usually, there would be discomfort following surgery but here are some things you could expect post surgery
Swelling, bruising and redness are unavoidable. But with proper care and going by the doctor’s advice, these issues would solve eventually.
The skin needs more time to heal even though the sutures will be removed within days of the surgery. The scar tissues usually require a year or more to heal and improve on the desired appearance completely.
Surgeons post surgery recommend decreased activity, and patients need to keep their head elevated while lying down. Usage of cold compresses on swelling would help sooth, while overall activities which may lead to stress in the affected area should be avoided at all costs. These activities would be explained by the surgeon or doctor themselves.
Medications are to be taken only after thorough consultation with your doctor to avoid any undue complications.

Some people do in the end opt to live with the scar, but more often people look to a solution to get rid of it through revision surgery. It is essential that you follow up with your surgeon/doctor for improving ways to take care of the affected area. Neglect would only lead to more damage to the revised area.