Scar Revision
Scar Revision
Despite large amounts of money and time being invested in wound healing and scarring research, our current level of technology does not allow us to heal without scarring.
At the current time, scars cannot be removed completely, but with careful planning, meticulous surgical technique and, equally importantly, good postoperative care by the patient, it may be possible to improve upon some scars.
The sort of scars that may be improved include
- Wounds that have not been adequately sutured at the time of injury, may be lumpy or contain a step in the level of skin
- Scars that are in certain positions may become stretched or dented
- Scars that are not in an ideal direction or shape
- Wounds that have become infected in the early healing phase may become stretched or dented
Scar revision involves either trying to narrow a wide scar, level off an uneven scar, fill in a dented scar, or reposition a scar into a more concealed position or direction.
Most scar revisions can be performed under local anaesthetic on an outpatient basis. However, certain scars may require a larger operation and a general anaesthetic.
Not all scars can be improved. In particular, keloid scars may actually become worse with surgery. Any scar revision has the potential to end up with a worse scar, so it is very important to comply with your surgeons advice in order to try to get the best possible outcome.
