Aesthetic & Cosmetic Surgery in New York
Scar Revision Treatment
Allure Plastic Surgery
Scar Revision Plastic Surgery Treatment
Scars can be hard to treat, especially if you do not know your options. Several methods can reduce scars on the face, often acne scars, or elsewhere on the body. One of the most effective is scar revision. The technique improves how a scar looks by making it more consistent with the surrounding skin tone and texture.
The right scar revision method depends on several factors, and one of the most important is which doctor performs the surgery. At Allure Plastic Surgery, we have performed many scar revision treatments.
If you have questions about the process involved in having your permanent scars treated, you can book a consultation or call our office today at (866) 477-2023. Otherwise, you can keep reading below for more information on this procedure and how it can benefit you.
Overview
Will Scar Revision Work For You?
If you are not sure whether scar revision is right for you, a qualified dermatologist can help you decide between a non-invasive option, such as topical medications, and a more invasive one, such as scar removal surgery.
Whichever method you choose, the professional you consult will ask you to wait before treatment is scheduled. The wait matters less for existing scars, but it is almost mandatory for a new scar, since its appearance changes over time. Waiting helps you avoid unnecessary repeat procedures.
Scar removal surgery is usually best considered six months to one year after a wound has healed. We have found it best to wait within this range, because scars tend to shrink and become less noticeable as they mature.
You may want a fresh scar dealt with quickly, but it is better to let it fade naturally first. If you have already tried many natural scar treatments without success, a surgical scar revision can change the size of a scar, raise depressed scars, or lower elevated ones.
Many factors affect how severe a scar is, including the size and depth of the wound, the blood supply to the area, the thickness and color of your skin, and the direction of the scar.
No scar can be removed completely, but the plastic surgeons at Allure Plastic Surgery can often make a scar less obvious through scar revision.
The Scar Revision Surgery Process
For some people, topical creams, gels, or peels are not the best way to remove scars permanently. Other options exist, so discuss them with your physician before pursuing the scar removal surgery we perform in our office.
As our doctors explain at your initial consultation, certain procedures suit certain scar types better than others. The FDA-approved Candela Smoothbeam laser combines selective heating and cooling of the dermis (the middle layer of skin) and is effective for acne, acne scars, and wrinkles.
Clearing these acne scars usually takes about four treatment sessions. Some patients have mild side effects, such as temporary redness in the treated areas, but most are happy with their results.
For hypertrophic or keloidal scars, we use a PDL laser that targets the blood vessels giving these scars their pink appearance. Afterward, bruising can last up to ten days. A series of corticosteroid injections can also reduce the appearance of these inflamed, raised scars.
For rolling scars, subcision works well. After numbing the area with anesthesia, the surgeon breaks up the scar tissue underneath with a small needle. There is no recovery time, though bruising can last 1 to 2 weeks.
For icepick scars, we usually use punch excision. A punch instrument removes the scar and the wound is stitched closed. This leaves a scar of its own, but a much smaller and less noticeable one.
In some cases, the upper layer of skin is removed with a wire brush, called a fraise, in a method known as dermabrasion. Skin grafting, where a thin layer of skin from another part of the body such as the buttocks is moved to the injured area, can also work well.
When needed, small amounts of implantable materials, including Gore-Tex, Alloderm, Soft-form, and fascia, can raise the scar for near-instant results.
Whichever option you and the doctor discuss at your initial consultation, scar removal surgery is only for healthy individuals, because of the complications that can arise with a pre-existing condition such as heart problems or diabetes mellitus.
These techniques reshape scars so they look better and often smooth the edges of acne scars to dull their appearance. If you have scars you want removed, schedule an appointment with our Long Island plastic surgeons to learn about your scar revision options.
Please call (866) 477-2023 or fill out the online form to arrange a visit to Allure Plastic Surgery today.
★★★★★
Dr. Heller's office took an old surgical scar that I hated and made it almost disappear. The difference is night and day and they were honest about what to expect.Marcus T., Google Review
Flexible Financing
Pay Over Time with Affirm, Cherry, or CareCredit
We work with Affirm, Cherry, and CareCredit so you can spread the cost of your procedure into manageable monthly payments. Approval usually takes minutes, and there is no penalty for paying off early.
Begin
Ready to improve the appearance of your scars?
Meet our team for a consultation in Manhattan, Staten Island, or Edison, NJ.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your individual needs.