Scars are a curse that all humans are exposed to. After any tragic event, such as an accident or surgery, a scar might stay there to remind you of the tragic event.
Some of you might never think about it, but with modern medicine, most the scar are removable. You can literally get rid of any scar you want with a technique called revision scar surgery.
In this article, you will learn what a scar revision is and what type of scars it can heal.
What is a scar revision?
Scar revision is a procedure undertaken by a plastic surgeon to improve a scar’s appearance and restore functionality to an area of the body that may have been impaired by it.
Although scars cannot be completely removed, surgeons can improve the way they look and feel. This includes reducing any height, making it more symmetrical and blending it in with the surrounding skin. Most of the time, facial scars are the most irritating ones. Many are thinking of how to get rid of rosacea or acne scars since they are the most common to happen alongside injury scars.
The aim of scar revision is not only aesthetic but also functional – removing any itchiness or discomfort and helping to regain movement where appropriate.
Doctors consider many factors when planning this procedure, including size, shape, location, coloration, and underlying tissue anatomy.
3 types of scars need a revision scar surgery
Keloids
Scar revision surgery is a great way to reduce the appearance of keloids. These thick clusters of scar tissues are formed after an injury or incision but tend to grow and darker than the original wound or cut.
Not only visually bothersome, they can also cause discomfort ranging from mild irritation to even pain and itching. Although they most often appear on the face, neck, ears, chest, and shoulders, keloids are more prevalent among individuals with darker skin tones.
Plastic surgeons can help minimize their size and discoloration through scar revision surgery which helps improve self-confidence for many patients who’ve suffered from difficult-to-manage keloids.
Contractures
Scar revision surgery is an important option to consider when it comes to dealing with contractures. The tight formation of the skin resulting from this condition can limit mobility and cause considerable physical difficulty, not to mention the emotional toll due to the scar’s appearance.
Through scar revision, plastic surgeons can reduce the appearance of a contracture by cutting or excising skin, then pulling adjacent skin apart. This makes any contraction of scar tissue less likely and increases the range of motion in the area as well. Furthermore, tissue expansion for contractures is another valuable tool for allowing our patients to live life more freely without worrying about movement limitations caused by these types of scars.
It’s important for patients dealing with contractures to be aware of these treatment options and understand their potential benefits.
Hypertrophic scars
When it comes to how to get rid of hypertrophic scars, scar revision surgery can be a great solution. This type of procedure typically involves removing the excess tissue in order to flatten and soften the scar, often resulting in less noticeable and improved cosmetic outcomes.
Depending on the case and amount of tissue that needs removal, this surgical approach may involve local anaesthesia, sedation, or even general anaesthesia. We can then use techniques such as suturing and tissue grafting depending on the scar’s depth.
While this procedure will create a surgical scar, it will generally be much smaller than that caused by the original wound. By undergoing scar revision surgery, many patients have achieved a more natural aesthetic and reduced their visibility of these types of scars for good.