Scar Revision

There are a variety of ways to treat your scars, even reducing the appearance of a scar to almost unnoticeable. However, the only way to remove scars such as stretch marks is through skin-removal surgery. What that means is that to completely remove a scar, you have to cut it out (scar revision surgery), which makes a new scar. If your scar is wide, jagged or lumpy, plastic surgery may be the best option to minimize its appearance. Some burn scars may need skin grafts. Skin grafting itself can lead to a grid like scar.

For most scars though, it’s best to work with what is there and try to improve the color and texture of the scar so that it blends to the surrounding skin and is less noticeable.

Scar treatment depends on the severity of the scar and the scar type. Some scar treatments can be started almost as soon as the injury happens. For the first few days, a new wound should be kept moist and covered with Neosporin or Vaseline. Be sure to keep the wounded area of skin away from the sun. Once the wound has healed, you should use sunscreen on the scar at least once daily (more often if you are going to be outdoors) for at least 6 months. This is especially important in patients with darker skin types as they are more likely to develop hyperpigmentation. The full healing process for a scar does take about 6 months, but starting treatments before that can help to minimize the development of the scar. You should use Silagen or a silicone gel (available over the counter) on the scarred area starting a week after the wound occurs (or as soon as your stitches out if you have them). You can start treatments like PRP as early as a week after the wound and non-ablative lasers (like laser genesis) after the skin has healed. We typically wait about 6 months before using fractional lasers on new scars.

There isn’t any one treatment that works best for all scars. The ideal treatment for a scar will depend on several factors, including the age of the scar, your age, the cause of the scar, what part of the body is affected and the skin condition, whether there is a tissue deficit and whether there is a keloid scar (hypertrophic scars). For example, acne scars and stretch marks can be treated with chemical peels, Fraxel resurfacing and products, while scars from surgery or accidents might be better treated with Microneedling and PRP + Nano-Fat. The best way to begin is with a free consultation where the doctor will examine your scar and customize a solution for best possible results.

Some common cosmetic surgery scar treatments include Dermabrasion, Laser Scar treatments, Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing, fillers, PRP with Microneedling, Nano-Fat grafting, and medical-grade skincare products.

Laser Therapy and CO2 laser scar resurfacing are great treatment options for diminishing the appearance of facial scars because they use your skin’s natural healing properties to restore the skin’s texture while building collagen. The “social” downtime for these scar treatments is 10-14 days. Final results will take about 3-6 months while your body builds up the collagen.

Some scars have a volume deficit and will thus benefit from filler treatments. Common examples of these scars are acne scars and traumatic scars. Almost all scars will benefit from fat transfer. This revolutionary treatment moves stem cells from your fatty tissues to the scar, where they work to remodel the collagen and replace lost volume. Imagen specializes in body sculpting and facial rejuvenation, and one of our most popular treatments is liposuction with fat transfer. For scar treatment, this procedure can be done on a nano-level where fat is removed from an area like the abdomen and injected into a depressed scar to create a flatter surface. In combination with PRP, a fat transfer can have beautiful results for women treating c-section scars, or anyone with deep scars left from surgery or accidents.

In smaller cases like facial scars, hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm or Restylane can help with reducing the appearance of scars. The plumping effect created by these dermal fillers typically lasts for at least six months.

One of the most common types of scars that we see are acne scars. Acne scars come in several different types, one of which is a depressed scar. These scars are sometimes caused by contracture bands that connect the skin to underlying tissue. Subcision is one of the most popular acne scar removal treatments. It works by releasing the bands that are creating that indentation while stimulating collagen production for an overall improvement in the appearance of your scar.

Keloid scars are notoriously difficult to treat. A keloid scar is a hypertrophic scar that results from the overproduction of collagen over the wound. Some patients are predisposed to keloid formation, but some keloids form in areas where the skin stretches, especially over joints. If you have a history of keloids, you should start applying a silicone gel to any wounds. If you begin to develop a keloid, you can use steroid injections to help decrease them. Removing keloid scars is usually reserved as a last resort, as they are likely to recur.

The side effects of scar treatment depend on the specific procedure or product. In most cases, hyperpigmentation, infection or new scarring after scar treatment can be avoided if you follow the instructions of the doctor. If you’re experiencing discomfort or irritation with the use of a skincare product from Imagen, please discontinue use and contact our clinic for further instruction. For most, dryness or irritation is a common side-effect of using new medical-grade products.

Almost any scar is treatable with one or more of the products or procedures we offer at Imagen. If you are living with a scar (or multiple scars) that are causing you discomfort or affecting your self-confidence, it’s time to schedule your free consultation with one of our board-certified cosmetic surgeons. Please note that attempting to self-treat can worsen the appearance of your scars, so it is best to talk to a doctor before you attempt trendy methods for scar removal.