To have the skin at its clearest and most radiant, many seek freedom from blemishes of all kinds, and in specific, scars. For those seeking new treatment options that involve the elimination of various types of scars there a number of different options to suit the type of scar and your skin type, as well as your desires.



To have scar revision performed namely involves removing the scar from the skin while the patient is under either a localized or general anesthesia. This can be performed in various ways and it is up to the patient and the performing plastic surgeon to discuss how and what will be performed. There are a number of different types of scarring which involve overgrowth of scar tissue around the initial area of trauma, either due to a wound, burn, or any other sort of trauma. Scars are obviously the body's natural response to wound that threatens the body and so collagen is grown in and around the initial wound over time. With this in mind, it is important to appreciate the body's natural healing process. Nevertheless, there may be remaining unsightly marks left after a trauma on the skin and certain scars are more difficult to remove than others.

In the surgical world, scar revision can be as simple as a minor scar which can be excised, stitches placed, and then the remaining scar from the stitches can be worked on with ipl fotofacial light or other forms of lightening. Scarred areas are generally given a minimum of a year to heal so that the area is given the ability to get as close to a completely healed and non-inflamed area as possible. By allowing this time to go by, the skin is given more time to heal and also may help to prevent scars from recurring after they are removed with surgical procedures. Additionally, some scars may be so minor that plastic surgeons will recommend trying non-surgical approaches to scar removal before surgery is considered. Generally, if just the skin is darkened and there is no raised skin over the area, it is easier to lighten the scar to non-existence by the use of laser therapies, light technology, or even dermabrasion or chemical peels. A dermatologist generally works in this field of scar removal. Scar revision however usually implies the use of a more surgical approach to eliminate a scar which is difficult to remove without actual excision of some kind.

Since scar revision can result in repeat scars which come back, it is important to know that certain scarring is the result of genetic predisposition and no matter what, may return. Plastic surgeons performing a treatment on an area such as a keloid scar will typically let patients know that surgery is not as successful on these types of scars, which are generally caused by the body's overcompensation of collagen when the skin is traumatized by a wound. Speaking to a plastic surgeon and a dermatologist is helpful and allows patients to get a good idea of what they can expect if treatment is sought out for these types of scars.