Scarring is a broad medical term that refers to permanent damage to the skin after some sort of physical trauma. Scarring can be minor or extreme, but in cases where scars are noticeable or obvious, they can cause a lot of issues for the sufferer. Whether you have obtained a scar from previous surgery or from physical trauma, they can be debilitating to confidence. What’s more, scars can be painful and itchy, and even restrict movement of the affected area. Scar revision surgery can help to improve the appearance of scars.
Although scars can very rarely be completely removed, surgical scar revision can make a dramatic difference to the appearance of scarring, making them far less visible, as well as less uncomfortable in applicable situations. Scar revision surgery can change the positioning of the scar or change the width and shape of a scar, making it subtler and (depending on placement) more easily concealed. Surgical scar revision can also release a tight scar that is close to the muscles or joints in order to ease discomfort and improve movement in the area.
The scar revision surgery can be performed under local anaesthetic, sedation or general anaesthetic, depending on the level and severity of the scarring; it takes a different amount of time for each case. There is not often a lot of downtime associated with surgical scar revision compared to other surgeries, but again, this depends on the individual case. As a general rule, you will be able to return to work within a week after your procedure.
Scar revision surgery can follow a number of routes: excision and direct skin closure (cutting the scar out and creating a smaller, neater scar); excision and repositioning (cutting the scar out and repositioning it so it is easily concealed by clothes or in the contours of the body); and excision and skin grafts (cutting out the scar and replacing it with skin taken from a healthy part of the body – this is most common for high level scarring like burns).
Please be aware: the appearance of your scar will not be completely diminished, or disappear. In its place will be a new scar, which will take time to heal, but will heal more effectively and less visibly than the scar that was there before. After the surgery, a dressing will be applied. Stitches are usually removed within a week – apart from on the face, where you will probably not have to wait that long. Attending your post-surgery consultation with Dr Chana will allow him to check on your progress, removing any stitches and changing dressings as required.
As with any surgery, there are risks of side-effects involved with surgical scar revision. These include bleeding, swelling, bruising and blood clots. Infection is also a possibility after surgery. If you carefully follow your after-care advice, you will minimise all of these risks.
With scarring, each case is very unique and different. The level of results you can expect, the length of your recovery time and the specifics of your procedure all depend on the level of scarring, the position on the body and how long you have had the scar. The level of scarring on the skin may also be determined by factors like wound size and how the wound was obtained, wound location, the age of the patient, heredity and skin characteristics including colouring.
In order for Dr Chana to assess your individual case and give you a specific idea about your bespoke treatment, you will have to attend a thorough consultation. During this, you will be able to discuss with Dr Chana in detail how to move forward with your treatment, after he has thoroughly assessed the level of your scarring. Some types of scars should not be treated surgically as there is a chance of complications, or that they will come back larger or worse than before.
At your consultation, Dr. Chana will be able to tell you exactly what kind of scar yours is categorised as, and how best to proceed. There are non-surgical options available for scars that are not suitable for corrective surgery. For more information please book a consultation and get in touch with us.