Scar Revision In New York City:
How To Improve Surgical Scars

What is scar revision?

Scar revision is a type of procedure that can improve the appearance of scars caused by surgery, injury, or certain skin conditions. Treatments are usually cosmetic and may involve one or more procedures to help minimize the scar. The goal of revising a scar is to reduce the visibility and size of scars so they blend better with the surrounding skin. Scar revision can be as little as topical ointments or as invasive as scar revision surgery.

How do scars form?

Scars are created when the skin is injured. The body forms a protective layer of fibrous tissue to cover and protect the injury, resulting in a scar. The type of scar that occurs depends on many factors, including genetics, skin type, and how deep the wound was.

Wound healing goes through 4 stages

Hemostasis: The body produces a clot to stop the bleeding.

Inflammation: The area gets red, swollen and painful as the immune system fights off infection.

Proliferation: New collagen is created to replace damaged tissue and begin healing the wound.

Maturation: Scars form when new collagen reorganizes and remodels over the wound creating visible scar tissue.

When do I know what the final scar will look like?

The final scar usually appears after the maturation stage of healing. The scar can be red, thin and raised or thick and disorganized. Depending on the type of wound, the scar may take several months to a year before it reaches its final appearance.

What are the different types of scars?

There are different types of scars including hypertrophic, contracture, atrophic, and keloid.

• Hypertrophic scars are raised and red with a thick texture but stay within the boundaries of the original wound.

• Contracture scars tighten the skin due to burns or other severe wounds. Atrophic scars appear as depressions in the skin as a result of acne or chickenpox.

• Keloid scars are raised and form beyond the boundaries of the original wound, usually due to genetic factors. Keloid scars lead to excess scar tissue and can be predisposed depending on the location on the body.

• Burn scars vary in severity and can range from light discoloration to deep indentations.What are some treatments for scar revision? There are both surgical and non-surgical options for improving the appearance of scars. Non-surgical treatments include dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, steroid injections, topical medications and silicone sheets

What are non-surgical methods for improving my scars?

Non-surgical methods for improving the appearance of scars include dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, steroid injections, topical medications and silicone sheets.

Dermabrasion is a procedure that uses a rotating brush to remove the outer layer of skin and reduce the visibility of a scar.

Laser resurfacing can also reduce the appearance of scars by removing the top layer of skin and replacing it with new, healthy skin cells.

Steroid injections are used to reduce inflammation and redness in scar tissue.

Topical medications such as retinoids or vitamin E may help improve acne scars and other types of atrophic scars. Silicone sheets can be applied over scars to protect them from the environment and help reduce their appearance.

Why are keloid scars special?

Keloid scars are special because they require a more intensive approach to scar revision. Treatments for keloid scars include steroid injections, laser treatments, cryotherapy and surgery. Surgery is often the only option for treating large or raised keloids as it can reduce their size and smooth out the area.

What are surgical methods for improving my scars?

Surgical methods for scar revision include excision, tissue expansion, skin grafting, and flap surgery. Excision involves removing the entire scar or part of it through incisions and closing them with stitches. Tissue expansion is a procedure that stretches the surrounding skin over time to make room for new skin grafts. Skin grafting involves taking healthy skin from elsewhere on the body and using it to fill in or cover up a scar. Flap surgery uses nearby tissue to fill in gaps or defects where a scar is located.

What is the scar revision process?

The scar revision process begins with a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Franck, who specializes in scar revision procedures. During the consultation, he will evaluate your the unique attributes of your scar and discuss the most effective options for you. Depending on the severity of the scar, he will offer your you the ideal scar revision procedures.

Scar revision treatments are available from qualified plastic surgeons like Dr. Franck, who specializes in scar revision. He can evaluate the type of scar and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan to improve its appearance. For more information about scars and scar revision treatments, please contact us today.

What involves surgery for scar revision?

Surgical scar revision includes cutting our the old scar. When surgical treatments are recommended, the goal is to excise or cover up the scar with healthy skin while minimizing any new scarring. Depending on the type of scar, your doctor may use a scalpel or laser to carefully remove the scar and close it with stitches. Tissue expansion may be used to stretch surrounding skin, allowing for skin grafts to fill in gaps or cover the scar. Skin grafting involves taking healthy skin from elsewhere on the body and using it to fill in or cover up a scar. Flap surgery may also be used, which uses nearby tissue to fill in gaps or defects where scars have formed.

The goal of all surgical techniques is to leave you with a minimal scar. After the procedure, you will likely need to take some time off from work or other activities to allow your body enough time to heal properly.

At Dr. Franck's office, our goal is to help you achieve the best possible outcome and reduce the visibility of your scar as much as possible. We are committed to helping you look and feel your best. If you are interested in learning more about scar revision treatments, please contact us for a consultation today.