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About Scar Repair
Whether caused by an injury, surgery, or burn, scars can be disfiguring, unsightly, and unpredictable. Scars stand out against the rest of the skin because scar tissue is made of collagen cells rather than ordinary skin cells. As a result, scars are usually a different color, and do not have sweat glands or hair follicles. Many variables can affect the severity of scarring, 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. How much the appearance of a scar bothers you is, of course, a personal matter.
Have you, or someone you know, been considering scar repair or scar revision? If so, contact one of our plastic surgeons in your area today!
The success of scar revision often depends on the type of scar. Some of the different types of scars include:
- Atrophic scars, which are thin or flat
- Hypertrphic scars, which are thick, red, raised, and occur within the edges of the wound
- Keloid scars, which look like hypertrophic scars, but are firm and extend beyond the edges of the wound (can be swollen and often itch or hurt)
- Contracture scars, which occur when large areas of skin are lost (edges of the remaining skin pull tightly together, often restricting adjacent tendons or muscles)
Several methods can be used to reduce the visibility of scars. The method used depends on the type of scar. Some of these scar repair/revision methods include:
- steroid injections or applications
- topical silicone applications
- dermabrasion
- vascular laser and laser skin resurfacing
- tissue expansion
- z-plasty
- skin grafts
Keep in mind that no scar can be removed completely, but plastic surgeons can often improve the appearance of a scar, making it less obvious, in turn eliminating your self-consciousness and enhancing your self-esteem.
Have you, or someone you know, been considering scar repair or scar revision? If so, contact one of our plastic surgeons in your area today!
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Choosing to have plastic surgery is an important decision, and so is selecting a plastic surgeon. Whether you're considering cosmetic surgery toimprove your appearance or reconstructive surgery to correct defects or improve function, you want a board-certified surgeon with the skill and training to help achieve your goals.