What Is Scar Revision?

Scar revision is a broad term that’s used to describe techniques that minimize or improve the appearance of scars. Simply put, scars are growths of fibrous tissue that form as part of your body’s healing response to an injury.

There are several different ways to perform scar revision, and sometimes doctors will combine methods. Your treatment options will depend on the type of scar you have, the severity of the scar, your desired outcome, and other factors. Some examples of scar revision include:

Scar excision With this procedure, doctors remove the scar surgically and close the skin.

Skin graft Surgeons remove the scar and take healthy skin from another area of the body to cover the affected spot.

Skin flap This is similar to a skin graft, but the transferred skin has its own blood supply.

Z-plasty With Z-plasty, surgeons make a Z-shaped incision through the scar tissue and some healthy skin. The Z-shape allows them to create pointed flaps that are used to reposition the scar or change its direction, so it’s less visible.

Surface treatments Laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, light therapy, chemical peels, and bleaching agents are used to smooth the surface of the scar and lessen discoloration.

Tissue expansion Tissue expansion involves helping the body grow new skin to cover a scar. Doctors place an inflatable balloon under the skin near the scar and gradually stretch the skin, which is redistributed to replace damaged areas.

Cryotherapy With cryotherapy, doctors use a medication to freeze off the scar.

Injectables Sometimes steroids or fillers made from natural or synthetic products are injected into the scar tissue to help improve its appearance.

Pressure therapy This involves wearing a pressure appliance over the scar to help lessen its thickness.

Additionally, other nonsurgical treatments, such as topical medicines, may be used along with scar revision procedures to smooth out the skin’s surface and promote healing.

Why Would You Need Scar Revision?

You might need scar revision if you would like to improve the appearance of a scar. Scars can result from injuries due to:

Burns

Surgery

Accidents

Illnesses

Acne or other irritating skin conditions

Scars can vary in size, shape, color, and texture. There are different types of scars. They include:

Hypertrophic scars These scars are usually raised, thick, and red. They can appear dark or light and often form right on the site of the wound.

Keloids Keloids are thick, raised scars that can itch or cause pain. They may grow much larger than the wound that caused the scar. These scars usually affect the face, ears, neck, chest, or shoulders.

Contractures Contractures cause skin to tighten and make it difficult to move. They often occur after a burn injury.

Stretch marks They happen when skin stretches or shrinks rapidly and leads to damage in the connective tissues underneath. Stretch marks usually develop on the breasts, thighs, stomach, or upper arms.

Atrophic scars These scars have a sunken appearance and look like small indentations in the skin. They usually result from acne or chickenpox.

Flat scars This type of scar, which is usually pink or red, flattens as it heals.

A good candidate for scar revision is an individual who is physically healthy, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t have any active skin diseases, and has realistic expectations for their results.

How Is Scar Revision Performed?

There are many ways to perform scar revision. You and your doctor will choose the technique that will offer you the best outcome.

If you’re having a surgical procedure, your doctor might cut out your scar and stitch up the area. With Z-plasty, scars are repositioned so they’re not as noticeable. Doctors can also cover the scar with transplanted skin that’s taken from another area of your body with a skin graft or skin flap approach.

Or, you might have a tissue expansion procedure to slowly stretch the skin and replace the scar tissue. This procedure can sometimes be a complex process that involves multiple procedures to achieve the desired outcome.

If you’re having a surface treatment, doctors may use dermabrasion to smooth the skin, bleaching agents to lighten the skin, or chemical peels to improve texture and color. Laser therapy is another option that targets the surface of the skin and allows healthy skin to develop at the site of the scar.

Dermal fillers are often helpful for scars that are sunken or depressed.

Alternatively, steroid injections can improve the appearance of raised scar tissue.

With cryotherapy, doctors apply extreme cold to destroy scars.

Pressure therapy involves wearing a bandage or dressing that applies pressure to the wound while it heals. This extra tension may help lessen the size of a scar.

How to Prepare for Scar Revision

Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to best prepare for your procedure. You may have to wait to have the treatment if your scar hasn’t matured enough.

Before your surgery, you should tell your provider about all the medicines and supplements you take. Additionally, it’s important to let your doctor know about your existing medical conditions and any drug allergies you have.

Before undergoing scar revision surgery, you may have to:

Stop taking certain medicines or adjust your dosages

Stop smoking

Get lab tests

If you’re receiving anesthesia for your scar revision, you may have to fast for a certain amount of time before your scheduled procedure.

On the day of your procedure, avoid applying any lotions or makeup to the area being treated.

It’s a good idea to ask your doctor if you can see before and after pictures of cases that are similar to yours. That way, you’ll know what kind of results to expect from your scar revision.

What Are the Risks of Scar Revision?

The risks associated with scar revision will depend on the type of procedure you have. You and your doctor should discuss all the potential negative outcomes before scheduling your surgery or treatment.

Some possible risks of scar revision surgery include:

Bleeding

Infection

Problems associated with anesthesia

Blood clots or cardiac problems

Hematoma

Asymmetry or poor results

Fat necrosis (when fatty tissue deep in the skin dies)

Seroma (an accumulation of fluid)

Numbness

Persistent pain

Poor healing

Keloid formation (thickened scar)

Skin loss

Skin discoloration or swelling

Loose skin

Recurrence of the scar

What to Expect During Scar Revision

If you are having a surgical procedure, you’ll likely be given anesthesia to make you more comfortable. There are different anesthesia options. They include:

Local anesthesia (an injection that numbs the area)

Intravenous sedation (“twilight” sedation)

General anesthesia (medicines that put you to sleep during surgery)

Your doctor will recommend the best way to ensure that you don’t feel pain during the surgery or treatment.

With surface procedures, such as lasers, you might feel warmth or discomfort. If so, doctors might apply a topical anesthetic, inject a numbing anesthetic, or give you an oral sedative, depending on the therapy that’s used.

What Are the Complications and Side Effects of Scar Revision?

After your procedure, you may notice skin discoloration, discomfort, or swelling that lasts one to two weeks.

Scar revision can cause complications, such as bleeding, infection, blood clots, hematomas, reactions to anesthesia, or cardiac issues.

You should seek medical attention right away if you develop the following symptoms:

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Irregular heartbeat

A high fever, chills, or other signs of infection

You should let your doctor know if you’re having persistent pain, swelling, or numbness; your skin isn’t healing normally; or your results aren’t as expected.

Care After Scar Revision

Your aftercare routine will hinge on the type of procedure you had. You should follow any wound care instructions your doctor provides.

Healing from scar revision surgery can take several weeks, and it could take months before you see the final results.

If you have stitches, your doctor will probably remove them after three to four days if they’re on your face, or after five to seven days if they’re on another part of your body.

You may have to apply an elastic dressing or light dressing to the area after surgery.

Most people are able to resume normal activities shortly after their procedure, but it depends on the type of surgery you have. Your doctor will tell you what activities to avoid. You may have to be careful not to stretch the new scar.

You should apply sunscreen when outdoors and keep away from the sun while your scar is healing.

It’s possible to achieve desired results in one procedure, but you may require another scar revision surgery or treatment in the future.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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