Scar revision is a cosmetic surgery to improve or reduce the appearance of scars. It also restores function, changes direction and corrects skin changes (disfigurement) caused by an injury, wound, burns or previous surgery. The goal of scar revision surgery is to minimize a scar to be more like your surrounding skin tone and texture.

Scar Revision can:

• 1) Improve the appearance of unsightly scars
• 2) Release scar tissue that is painful or causing disfigurement
• 3) Profoundly improve the stress associated with having a scar on the face

Description

Scar tissue forms as skin heals after an injury (such as an accident) or surgery. The amount of scarring may be determined by the wound size, depth, and location; the person's age; heredity; and skin characteristics, including color (pigmentation).

Depending on the extent of the surgery, scar revision can be done while you are awake (local anesthesia), sleeping (sedated), or deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia). Your treatment options may vary based on the type and degree of scarring and can include:

• 1) Simple topical treatments.
• 2) Minimally invasive procedures
• 3) Surgical revision with advanced techniques in wound closure

Advanced techniques in scar revision include complex flap closure to reposition a scar so that it is less conspicuous, or improve flexibility where contracture has restricted mobility.

Why the Procedure is Performed

Problems that may indicate a need for scar revision include:
A hypertrophic scar, which is an abnormal scar that is thicker and of a different color and texture than the rest of the skin. Keloids extend beyond the edge of the wound and are likely to come back. They often create a thick, puckered effect that looks like a tumor. Keloids are removed at the place where they meet normal tissue.

• 1) A scar that is at an angle to the normal tension lines of the skin.
• 2) A scar that is thickened.
• 3) A scar that causes distortion of other features or causes problems with normal movement or function. Exposing the scar to too much sun may cause it to darken, which could interfere with future revision.
• 4) Cosmetic purpose

Outlook (Prognosis)

Whenever there is a cut through the skin, a scar results. No scar can be removed completely but can only be improved or revised .How much the scar improves depends on the direction and size of the scar, the person's age, skin type and colour, and hereditary factors that may affect the healing process.