Scar Revision
Scars can occur due to various reasons, such as burn, traumatic injury, surgery, or infection. Certain facial scars are unappealing simply due to location.
Yet others may impact facial expressions. After a scar has developed, it is permanent. However, it is surgically possible to change scar lines and adjust adjacent tissues to make the scar less conspicuous.
Many scars that initially seem large and unappealing may become less apparent with time. It is usually recommended to wait for as long as one year after the scar has developed prior to undergoing scar revision. Surgical scar revision may involve reconstruction with flaps, excision, and approximation, Z-plasty, or skin/tissue transplants.
Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Lin provides facial scar revision procedures to patients in West Covina, Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley, Chino, Rowland Heights, Baldwin Park, Whittier, Brea, Arcadia, Pasadena, Diamond Bar and surrounding areas in California.
Different Scars require Customized Treatments
Post-traumatic scars
Scars that originate from an accident, surgery, or disease typically only need simple surgical revision, tissue repositioning (to match the natural facial contours and definition) and cautious approximation.
In the case of superficial post-traumatic scars, stretch marks, and acne scars, treatments such as laser skin resurfacing, TCA skin peel, fat grafting or dermabrasion may offer satisfactory improvement and softening.
Burn scars
Burns typically annihilate larger sections of skin and cause it to heal in a puckered manner, known as contracture. A surgical procedure will involve excising the scar tissue completely, if possible.
Skin flaps made of surrounding healthy unscarred skin, are lifted and moved to create a new incision line. Expanders or skin grafts may be used where the use of flaps is not possible.
Keloid scars
Keloid scars develop due to the skin’s overproduction of collagen after an injury has healed. These scars overgrow the original wound and appear similar to exaggerated scars, elevated above the skin. The surgical treatment of keloid scars involves the removal of hard, fibrous collagen within the scar, and then sealing the skin.
After the procedure, the scar will need to be assessed for indications of keloid recurrence. If that is the case, preventive measures, such as silicone gel pads, pressure treatments, and steroid injections, may be implemented
Hypertrophic scars
Elevated hypertrophic scars do not extend beyond the boundaries of the original wound, unlike keloid scars. However, due to their thick texture, these scars can appear unsightly and restrict the movement of underlying muscles. The excess scar tissue is excised, re-positioned, and made to heal in a less noticeable manner.
Atrophic scars
Sunken fibrotic scars are the opposite of a hypertrophic scar. These scars can range from slightly depressed to fully indented, with decreased soft-tissue substance and occasional adhesion to deeper tissues. Such scars usually respond well to surgical release along with fat transfer.
Ideal Candidates for Scar Revision
Scar revision is suitable for any individual with cosmetic and functional concerns associated with facial scarring, regardless of skin type or age. Procedures are undertaken in local anesthesia or with IV sedation.
There is an extensive number of scar types. Therefore, the best alternative for revision is determined in consultation. Combining treatments usually offers the most satisfactory outcomes. With advanced scar revision techniques, experienced surgeons develop much more natural-looking results and satisfied patients.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Daniel Lin receives patients from West Covina, Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley, Chino, Rowland Heights, Baldwin Park, Whittier, Brea, Arcadia, Pasadena, Diamond Bar and surrounding areas in California for facial scar revision.
Click here to learn more about all the plastic surgery procedures and treatments cosmetic plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Lin performs for patients in and around Pasadena, Chino, Rowland Heights, Baldwin Park, Whittier, Brea, Arcadia, West Covina, Inland Empire, and San Gabriel Valley. Call today to schedule a consultation 626.810.6165 or click here.
