Surgical Scar Management – Hide It With Grace
April 19, 2018
A burn, a cut, a bruise, or even a surgery can leave you with scars. Now, it’s all fine if the scar doesn’t bother you physically or psychologically. But, if it does, then you needn’t worry; there are plenty of options that will help you manage these scars better.
So, let’s go ahead, and first look at what a scar is and how it occurs.
Scar – What is it and how does it occur?
Scarring is the end of a healing process, which occurs when the fibrous skin tissues start replacing the normal skin after a certain injury. Scars usually fade leaving a faint mark on the body. However, in some cases, during the healing process, when there is excess tissue formation in response to the injury, a visible scar forms making the area look unappealing.
The common types of scars at a glance
There are four common types of scars, and each of them have different characteristics. Some of these scars might not need any surgery, and some will need resurfacing surgeries that reduce the unpleasant appearance of the scar.
Keloid scars: Keloid are a result of an aggressive healing process. They are quite common among people with a darker skin tone.
Hypertrophic scars: Hypertrophic scars are raised, reddish scars. However, these scars are slightly superficial in nature and do not occur beyond the boundary of the injury.
Acne scars: Acne scars are the most common and are a result of severe acne, which occurs due to picking or pinching the acne, and also as an attempt to healing itself. Acne scars can further be categorised into various types ranging from pigmentation scars to deep pitted scars. Treatments for acne scars vary according to the type of acne scars and the severity that has caused them.
Contracture scars: Contracture scars develop when you have burns. It tightens your skin, impairs your movement. Contracture scars can also affect the muscles and nerves if the skin is burned to a higher grade.
Do you need a scar revision surgery?
This is something you will have to speak to your dermatologist and surgeon about. If you have an injury that has turned into a scar, it depends on a few factors. If you relate to these factors, you might go ahead with a decision of a surgical management for your scar.
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- If the scar is causing any physical discomfort
- If you develop rashes on the scar
- If there is pus and blood oozing out of the scar
- Aesthetic purposes
Your surgeon will have to perform a close examination of your scar to determine what treatment will best suit your needs. Your surgery will also depend on your reception towards the treatment, and how you manage it post the scar revision surgery.
Now let’s move on to the surgical management.
While talking about surgical treatments for scars, there are quite a few options available with the advent of technology today. Every treatment depends on the type of scar you have, and how deep it is. Your skin type also plays a significant role in your treatment, as it is important for your skin to be able to sustain the treatment.
Surgical Management Of Scars – A Brief Description
A scar revision surgery involves removing the scar tissue completely, and replacing it with skin flaps of healthy skin. It takes some time for new blood vessels and soft tissue to regrow, and results in reducing the scar to a degree of being unnoticed. It also helps in bringing back movement to the area that has lost motion due to tight skin in the scar area. This is commonly noticed in burn scars, or a surgery that has caused a scars.
The surgical management of your scars starts with the examination of your scar, to what you should expect of the surgery, post surgery management, and continues until you’re completely through with the recovery. The prerequisites to having a successful scar revision surgery depends on your cooperation with your surgeon. It involves a close examination of your scar, the surgery, and an understanding of all that you can and should expect out the treatment.
So, all the best if you are looking forward to one!
While you’re deciding upon getting a scar revision surgery, there are both surgical and non-surgical options available. However, in most cases surgical treatments have shown promising results, and are minimally invasive too. Listed below are the most commonly chosen types of scar removal treatments. You can consult your surgeon over what would best suit your need.
The Types include:
- Skin grafting
- Excision
- Dermabrasion
- Cryotherapy (freezing the scar with liquid nitrogen)
- Z-plasty
- Laser treatment
Your follow up care and expectations after a scar revision surgery
Right from the beginning of your consultation till the end results you achieve, it is important that you have your follow up visits regularly. Each step that you take in getting your scar treated makes a difference in the quality of the treatment you undergo. Especially post surgery while following the instructions of your surgeon if you notice anything unusual, you should immediately report it to your surgeon to avoid any further risks and complications.
- Your sutures will be removed in a few days after the Scar Revision Surgery, after which your skin will heal.
- Swelling, bruising and redness cannot be avoided, also in case of surgery on other areas.
- You will have to keep your activities limited, especially if you are into sports, or any activity that can strain the surgical area.
- You will be given certain medicines for pain management and healing post the surgery based on your needs.
- It is important that you understand that scar tissues take at least a year to heal completely, for maximum improved appearance.
At Cosmosure we work as a team to help you have a great experience with every single visit that you have. So, follow up with us and we shall further help you manage your scars surgically and beautifully.
ABOUT THE CLINIC
‘CosmoSure’ is a renowned medical and surgical cosmetic Surgery Clinic in Hyderabad, which is considered to be the meeting point for science & art. Established in the year 2015, CosmoSure, cosmetic surgery clinic has been one of the most preferred cosmetic clinic in Hyderabad. All the procedures at Cosmosure clinic are a blend of a skilled & artistic touch. Our specialists are trained with in-depth knowledge of aesthetic science and symmetry to help individuals to improve their skin health.