Scars are permanent, and no cosmetic treatment can completely remove them, but scars can be reduced and faded through a reconstructive procedure called scar revision. Depending on the characteristics of your scar or scars, scar revision may involve:
Skin resurfacing for scar revision involves removing upper skin layers to stimulate collagen production and promote skin remodeling. This encourages healthy skin to grow, at least superficially, in place of scarred skin, improving skin texture.
Light therapy and skin lightening creams provide non-invasive pigmentation improvement, fading dark scars through a series of treatments or prolonged use, while dermal fillers like JUVEDERM® and Restylane are injected into depressed scars, adding volume so the scars meet the level of surrounding skin.
If you are prone to keloid scars (thick, itchy clusters of scar tissue that grow over time) or hypertrophic scars (thick, red, raised scar tissue), steroid injections and possibly excision may be used to improve their appearance.
If you wish to correct a contracture, or a large scar that has contracted surrounding skin, muscles and tendons, surgical excision with skin graft or flap closure or a Z-Plasty procedure is typically necessary.
Surgical scar excision and Z-Plasty involve essentially replacing an old scar with a new one that is more aesthetically pleasing and less noticeable.
Depending on the treatment method used for your scar revision, it may take anywhere from a few days to a several months to heal and see your final results. More intensive skin resurfacing procedures and surgical excision will typically require more downtime and a longer recovery period than minimally invasive injectable fillers and light therapy.
Dr. Weston will coach you on the procedural details of your customized scar revision treatment and provide you with post-procedure care instructions. It is important to keep all follow-up appointments with Dr. Weston so she can monitor your healing and ensure optimal scar revision results are achieved.
The nature of the skin injury that caused your scars doesn’t matter in scar revision. Whether your scars were caused by an accident, acne, past surgery, animal attack or some other reason, scar revision may be able to help get rid of prominent, ugly or embarrassing scars.
Dr. Weston will review your medical history and complete a thorough assessment of your physical and mental health during your consultation. She will also evaluate your skin and its scarring tendencies before determining whether scar revision can help you.