Scar Revision
Scarring from traumatic injury or previous surgery can have a dramatic affect on an individual’s self-esteem. Although no scar can ever be completely eradicated, the plastic and reconstructive surgeons at New York Plastic Surgical Group, a Division of Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, are highly trained and skilled in methods which can dramatically improve the appearance of a scar and minimize its visibility.
Please contact us to schedule a consultation for scar revision at one of our NYC or Long Island offices.
Types of Scars
There are a number of different types of scars that can be treated through various surgical and laser techniques to diminish their appearance. Scar revision procedures will depend on the type of scar you have, as well as your age, history of prior surgery, location of the scar, genetics, treatment and medications you have undergone, and nutrition. Types of scars include:
C-Section Scar
A cesarean section, known as C-section, is a common childbirth procedure. Many women who have had C-Sections are unhappy with the appearance of the scar left by their abdominal incision. C-section scars can be asymmetrical, hyperpigmented, or puckered. In some patients, as the skin relaxes in the months following childbirth, there is an overhang or shelf that forms on the top of the scar that is quite bothersome. Asymmetry, puckering, and the C-section shelf may all be treated with a surgical revision under local anesthesia by our expert plastic surgeons as early as a few months after childbirth. Some patients also choose to undergo revision as part of a larger tummy tuck procedure. The scar may also change over time and can cause irritation. By excising the scar and carefully restitching the incision, our surgeons can achieve a smoother, more symmetrical, and less noticeable scar for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Some aspects of the scar can also be improved with nonsurgical treatments, such as laser therapy.
Keloid Scars
This type of scar is characterized by thick, itchy, and puckered clusters of scar tissue that grow around the edges of a wound or surgical incision. Often red or darker in color than the surrounding skin, keloid scars are a product of collagen produced by the body after a wound has healed.
Hypertrophic Scars
Similar to keloid scars, hypertrophic scars are typically red, thick, and raised clusters of scar tissue. Unlike the keloid type of scar, hypertrophic scars do not spread beyond the wound boundaries.
Contractures
Contracture is the term ascribed to scars that pull the edges of skin together. Often resulting from burns or other injuries that result in excessive skin loss, contractures can affect nearby muscles and tendons and ultimately restrict mobility.
Scar revision surgery should typically be undergone during the first six months after the initial scar has formed; however, the scar can still be treated after this period. Our plastic surgeon will discuss all aspects of scar revision surgery with you at your initial consultation and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Recovery From Scar Revision
Recovery details will depend on the type of scar you have and the treatment you have undergone. There will always be a scar left after an operation; however, scar revision procedures are designed to make scarring as imperceptible as possible. Any residual pain and discomfort from the procedure can be alleviated with medication. Patients can expect some swelling and bruising after scar revision, but this should dissipate within three to five days. The final form of the scar may take up to 9 months for the results to be most noticeable.
Consultations
The pronounced appearance of scars is not something you have to learn to live with. Procedures available at NYPS Group can dramatically reduce the noticeability of scarring for a smoother, healthier aesthetic. Please contact the New York Plastic Surgical Group to schedule a consultation for scar revision. We will be happy to meet with you and address any questions or concerns you may have.
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