Scar Revision
in Middletown, NJ
Prominent scars are often a reminder of something unpleasant whether an injury, disease removal or simply a previous surgery where the incision was not closed properly. Dr. John Taylor, a Red Bank, NJ, plastic surgeon, performs scar revision procedures on patients who wish to have noticeable or unattractive scars minimized and diminished.
What Is Scar Revision?
Scar revision is a minor surgical procedure performed to reduce the appearance of scars caused by injury or previous surgery. Scars are by definition permanent, but surgery can narrow, fade, and otherwise reduce the appearance of severe or unattractive scarring.
Benefits of Scar Revision
Patients looking at scar revision procedures to correct major scars do so to receive the following benefits:
- Increased mobility if scarring restricts movement
- Increased self-confidence
- Less pain and irritation from certain scars
Patient Reviews
“Laura was fantastic – definitely 5 stars all the way
I was pretty down coming into the office as I had a fairly small but very prominent scar on my face from a combination of a freak accident a month earlier and the ER Dr. completing mishandling my wounds
I was at the point where I was seriously considering invasive scar revision surgery.”
— Bob K.
How Is Scar Revision Performed?
Scar revision can refer to any procedure designed to correct or minimize scars or remove scar tissue from a healed wound. There are many methods of scar revision, only some of which may be appropriate for a particular type of scar or its location. These include surgical excision, skin grafts, flap surgery, and Z-plasty (repositioning a scar so that it aligns with natural facial lines and is less noticeable). The effectiveness of scar reduction depends on a number of factors, including the nature of the injury, your body’s healing mechanism, the size and depth of the wound, how much blood supplies the area, and the thickness and color of your skin. Some scars react well to steroidal injections that may improve the appearance of the scar. For most cases, the procedure takes no more than an hour and is done under a local anesthetic.
Silicone gel or tape may be recommended to help improve the appearance of the scar. These can be applied for weeks or months to refine and fade the scarring. Other modalities, such as IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or corticosteroid (Kenalog) injections can be done in the office and may be more appropriate treatment for your scarring. A keloid, a hypertrophic thickening of a scar, often results in skin with darker pigment. Keloids can be surgically excised in the office or may also be treated with corticosteroid injections. Tattooing is sometimes used to help camouflage a scar, especially when hypopigmentation is involved.
Preparing for Scar Revision
Prior to a scar revision procedure, Dr. Taylor evaluates the scar to determine the best course of action to correct the scar. Additionally, it is recommended that patients adhere to the following guidelines:
- Stop smoking a few weeks prior to the procedure
- Stop taking any medications, vitamins, and supplements that may thin the blood
Also, it is important to inform the surgeon of any infection or illness prior to the procedure as it is imperative that patients are in good health.
Recovery from Scar Revision
Recovery from scar revision is fairly quick. It is important to take it easy and keep the area of the scar revision still or immobile to allow proper healing. Over the following few weeks, it is recommended that patients gradually resume normal activities. No strenuous activities including lifting should be resumed for the first few weeks.
The results of scar revision depend on several attributes of the scar and how well you care for it during the recovery. It is important to note that many scars look worse before they get better as it can take up to a year for the full results to appear.
At Allure Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. John Taylor offers plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures as well as non-invasive advanced skin care treatments to patients in Red Bank, NJ, and the surrounding areas. Contact us to set up your consultation today.
